Wow what a beautiful fall week in Boise! Lots of fun things to do this weekend, but first I wanted to quickly update you on the Boise Discount Card.
We are preparing to formally launch the card next week. I've got 10 businesses confirmed and a design in the works. Please let me know what questions you have! I am building this program as I go so your questions are very helpful.
Here's the 10 businesses on the Boise Discount Card (there might be a few more!):
City Steps has a really cool tour going on right now called Remembering Chinatown – Boise’s Vanished Neighborhood. Learn about Boise’s Chinese history from the 1860s through the 1970s. It’s a 90 min tour that covers about 1.5 miles. You have 3 more chances to do this tour: tonight at 5:30pm or this Saturday, October 18, 9am and 11am.
Friday, October 17
Dusty Miller Goods is opening in downtown Boise at 2518 W Main. This is a new store with pastries, treats, and house milled flours sourced from the best grains in Idaho and the Northwest. This is a sister shop of The Dusty Miller, which is opening on the bench at 802 N. Garden in summer of 2026.
Friday, October 17th – Sunday, October 26th, 2025
Taste of Downtown Boise kicks off on Friday and goes through next Sunday. Dozens of downtown Boise businesses have put together special menus that are available this week only. There's $14 and under, social hour, and prix fixe menus, as well as experiences. See all the menus here!
Saturday, October 18
Linen District Fall Festival is happening from 10:30am-6pm in the Linen District! Road construction is complete (and it looks realllly good) so the businesses on Grove Street between 14th and 16th Streets are throwing a block party. Many of the businesses are doing special events during the event. It's a beautiful weekend to shop local!
Matlack's Open Air Music Fest Vol. 2 is happening at Matlack's Public House. It's an outdoor mini music festival featuring 9 bands and DJs, plus there's plenty of beer and food. It's free to attend and all ages.
credit Downtown Boise Association
Treefort lineup wave 1
The first wave of the Treefort 2026 lineup dropped today! Lots of artists I am excited about (Cat Clyde! Spoon Benders! The Velveteers! flipturn! Liz Cooper!) and lots to discover too. You can buy tickets to Treefort here and if you want to be on the stage or volunteer at the fest, check out your options here.
SPONSORED BY FNDATN FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Stop guessing about your health.
I've been working with FNDATN Functional Medicine for six months now, and the difference is night and day. We got my thyroid stable through diet changes, medication adjustments, and a few inexpensive supplements. Now I'm wrapping up care with them – because they don’t keep you as a patient forever. Lyndsy and her team help you improve, then you're on your way.
If you've been putting off getting answers because it feels overwhelming, don't. FNDATN offers a free discovery call to see if functional medicine is right for you.
Flow Arts Spin Jam is happening from 5:30–7:30pm at JUMP. Learn, practice, and share skills like hula hooping, poi dance, and more in a free, all-ages flow arts class led by Krissy Humphreys. Props provided. Free and all ages.
Hops ‘N Homes free homebuyer class is happening tonight at 6pm at Barbarian Brewing downtown. Learn about the entire home-buying process, ask questions & get expert advice. It’s free! 21+
Newsies: The Musical opens at 7:30pm at Nampa Civic Center. It’s a musical about the 1899 newsboy strike featuring athletic dancing and a live orchestra. The performance runs through October 25. Tix start at $23.
Old Time Square Dance is happening from 8–11pm. There’s a live string band and all dances taught – no partner or experience needed. Kids under 13 are free, everyone else is $15. All ages.
Mandy is showing at Idaho Film Society at 7pm. Tix are $8. 21+
Barbarian is showing at Idaho Film Society at 7pm. Tix are $8. 21+
Saturday, October 18
Interplanetary Life is happening from 9am–5pm at JUMP. Explore groundbreaking space science, meet astronauts and engineers, and stay after for hands-on stargazing and astrophotography. Tix start at $25.
Family Brick Build Challenge is happening at Idaho Botanical Garden, hosted by Bricks & Minifigs. Take on a creative lego challenge as a family, explore the Garden, and check out the scarecrow display. Each kid age 3+ gets a custom IBG minifig and a coupon to continue the fun at Bricks & Minifigs. Tix are $40 and covers the whole fam (up to 6 people).
Corpse Bride is showing at The Egyptian Theatre at 11am. Tix are $10.
Hocus Pocus (1993) is showing at The Egyptian Theatre again at 1pm. Tix are $10.
H48 Film Festival is at The Egyptian Theatre at 4pm. Teams of local filmmakers had 48 hours to make short horror films. Tix are $10.
Rocky Horror Picture Show (UK Version) is showing at The Egyptian Theatre at 10pm. This is an interactive film event with a burlesque show, shadow cast, costume contest, sing-alongs, and props. Tix are $25-$35. 18+
Dinner & A Movie: Silence of the Lambs at Idaho Film Society. It puts the lotion on the skin and enjoys dinner & a show. A dinner inspired by the film will be served at 6pm, followed by the film screening at 8pm. So fun! Tix are $60 or VIP $80. 21+
Sunday, October 19
Adult Gymnastics Open Gym is happening from 3–5pm at Bronco Gymnastics. Practice flips, jump around, and cannonball into foam pits without fear of crushing a child. It’s $10 for 2 hours (cash/check only). All levels welcome!
Tuesday, October 21
From Barriers to Bridges: A Conversation on Civil Discourse is happening from 5:30–7:30pm at Inspiration Alley. It’s part of the Do Good Conversation Series, a free event that invites the community to explore how to connect across differences and listen with courage. It’s free but you have to RSVP.
Wednesday, October 22
Boise Trivia Night is happening from 5:30–6:30pm at Lost Grove Brewing. Test your knowledge of Boise’s past and present in a fun trivia night hosted by City Club of Boise and Mark Iverson of IdaHistory. It’s free to play and there’s prizes!
Thursday, October 23
Boise Neighborhood Interactive is happening from 10am–5pm at Boise Centre. This annual day-long conference brings together neighbors, community leaders, and city staff to build connections, share ideas, and strengthen Boise’s neighborhoods. There’s workshops, hands-on sessions, and inspiring speakers. It’s free!
Boise Urban Garden School, credit City of Boise
Food finds & things to drink
Thursday, October 16
New beers + bingo happening at Barbarian Brewing (downtown) from 4–9pm. They’re tapping two new beers: a Bourbon barrel-aged barleywine called Dutch Apple Streusel and a hazy IPA called Nectaron 5001. Rock’n Bingo starts at 7pm and it’s free to play for customers. 21+.
Friday & Saturday, October 17–18
A Haunted Speakeasy is happening at Voodoo Cellar in downtown Boise. Step into a haunted 1920s Gatsby-style evening with spooky cocktails, snacks, live music, blackjack, and dance performances by Idaho Dance Theatre and Onyx Dance Arts. Costumes encouraged. Tix are $65 and include 2 drinks.
Saturday, October 18
Shop with a Chef "Harvest Haul" is happening at the Boise Farmer's Market. This is a market tour with local Chef Adan Callsen, co-owner of Under the Table Boise, and includes a shopping tour of the market, a custom recipe card, a cooking demonstration, a BFM tote bag, and opportunities to chat with farmers and makers. Tix are $15. This is the last Shop with a Chef event of the season!
Freshies & Friends is happening from 2–8pm at Loose Screw Brewing in Downtown Meridian. It’s a fresh hop beer fest and block party with 12 local breweries, live music, and unlimited pours with a $25 wristband.
Shop With A Chef, credit Boise Farmers Market
Comedy & storytelling
Thursday, October 16 - Friday, October 17
Wellie Jackson is performing at The Lounge at the End of the Universe at 7pm both nights, plus an additional 9pm show on Friday. He’s an NYC comic and “The Last O.G.” writer. Tix start at $25.
Friday, October 17
Lectures by Lushes is happening from 8–9:30pm at White Dog Brewing. It’s like TED Talks meets Drunk History where smart people teaching on random topics while drunk. Topics this month include garlic, candy panic, Taylor Swift, and the Halifax Explosion. 18+
The Cheap Laughs Comedy Show is happening at Liquid Lounge at 8pm (doors at 7). It’s a lineup of local comedians and tix are only $12.50.
Friday, October 17 - Saturday, October 18
Adam Tiller is at Mad Swede Brew Hall for two nights. He’s a Seattle-based comic known for dark, clever comedy. Tix are $25.
Cowboy Room Comedy is happening at Western Collective at 7pm. Lineup this week is Jack Wheeler, Tanya Cope, Myles Mathews, and LJ Sullivan. Tix are $21-$23.
Saturday, October 18
Idaho Pun Slam: GOLD RUSH is happening from 6–9pm at Life’s Kitchen. It’s a one-night-only pun competition and fundraiser for Boise Bard Players, featuring pun battles, prizes, food trucks, and Idaho-themed wordplay. Tix are $25–$50.
Spooked! Comedy Show is happening from 8–9:30pm at The Creative Space in Garden City. The cast and audience volunteers share self-made scares and turn them into hilarious, unscripted comedy. Tix at are $16 for adults or $6 for kids.
Psychic Sheila: An Uncensored Psychic Comedy Show is happening at The Lounge at the End of the Universe. She’s a hilarious, offbeat psychic that was a longtime radio and TV host. Show is at 7pm (doors at 6) and tix are $25.
Sunday, October 19
A Brunch of Laughs: Halloween Special is happening from 4–6pm at B’s House in Mountain Home. This Sunday Funday comedy show features Krystal Moore, Eric Cole, Tanya Cope, and Nick Daniels. There’s also a costume contest. Tix are $23.
Tuesday, October 21
Stand Up at Sturman’s is happening from 8–9:30pm at Sturman’s Eagle. Enjoy a night of sharp stand-up and swanky vibes. Tix are $21 and includes a signature cocktail.
