Happy Thursday!! Spooky season is in full swing, and the Treasure Valley is packed with flying pumpkins, haunted castles, and enough fall festivities to keep your weekend booked solid!
Whether you're looking for some family-friendly fun, a night of dancing with ghouls, or concerts that’ll raise the dead, we’ve got all the Halloween thrills and chills lined up. It’s all happening, and you won’t want to miss a thing!
Alright, let’s dive into it... if you dare 👻
It's raining pumpkins!
Saturday, October 26
The Giant Pumpkin Drop is happening in Meridian at the Pony Express Ranch at 1pm and 5pm on Saturday. Over 200 pounds of pumpkins will be flying, and there’s also pony rides, a petting zoo, hay rides, a barrel train, zip line, good food, hot cocoa, and hot apple cider!! It starts at 11am and goes all day.
​Night of a Thousand Pumpkins is happening at Eagle City Hall from 6-9pm, just in time to keep the gourd times rolling through the night. There will be trunk-or-treating, a spooky DJ, kids activities, delicious foods and desserts, plenty of photo ops, and the return of the Chili Cook-Off (6-8pm only)! And, of course, 1,000 carved pumpkins lighting up all of City Hall!
Sounds spooky
Friday, October 25 - Saturday, October 26
​The SHRiNiNG, a Halloween weekender full of music, mischief, and magic, is happening at Shrine Social Club on Friday and Saturday. Music starts at 5pm and goes 'til witching hour each night. Monster mash your way through the music on Friday and prepare for some face-melting music on Saturday. Tix are $40 for 1 day or $70 for both days. The Shrining is calling… will you answer?
Saturday, October 26
​Haunted Castle is happening Under the Trees from 6-10pm (with an after party that goes until 2am)… where the bass is buried deep and the beats never rest. It’s up to you to do the digging :)
​Grateful Halloween is happening at the Visual Arts Collective at 9pm. Doors open at 8pm. Grateful is a Boise-based Tribute band paying respect to the legacy of the Grateful Dead. Tix are $25, or $30 at the door. Are you ready to dance among the dead?
Today is the day: the first wave of artists on the Treefort 2025 lineup has been revealed! The stars are in our favor and the future of Treefort Music Fest is looking bright. See who is playing at the upcoming festival on March 26-30, 2025 here.
Now is the time to snag your Treefort Pass, because prices are going up from here on out! A festival pass allows you to attend all music and fort events over the five-days of Treefort. 5-day GA passes are $295, U21 passes are $175, and ZIPLINE passes are $425.
There’s a Halloween Bash happening at the Girls Scouts Leadership Center on Barnes St, starting at 6pm. You can expect to find a trunk-or-treat, fingerprinting, an escape room, bounce house, and other outdoor activities! Feel free to bring donations for Faces of Hope, they will be donating fidget toys and socks to those in need. All families welcome!!
The Witchy Market is happening at Barbarian Brewing from 5-8pm this Thursday. There will be festive decor, painted skulls & artwork, stained glass, clay jewelry, dog treats, dog accessories, plants, fresh mushrooms, jewelry, seasonings, candles, chocolates, fall/halloween wreaths, skin care products, fresh produce, jams, and a horror book signing with local authors. Plus, BBQ and live music!
​Meridian Trunk-or-Treat is going on from 6-9pm in the area around Meridian City Hall. Over 80 local businesses will be contributing to the trunk-or-treat of your kiddos dreams and you’ll get the chance to show off your best costume. It’s free, however donations of $1 per child or one food item are encouraged to support the Meridian Food Bank Backpack Program. Don’t forget your little goblins and ghouls!
Friday, October 25
​Bones, Brews, and Boos is happening at the Discovery Center from 6-10pm. Brace yourself for a spooky evening filled with the world’s largest dinosaurs, plus Lost Grove Brewing, Sushi Shack, and Sear + Savor. Yum! 21+
​Adults Only Trick-or-Treat is happening at Rapunzel Salon & Spa from 6:30-10pm. There will be tons of local vendors, each serving a fun cocktail for guests to try and vote on their favorites. Tix are $20 for one (or $30 for two) and include four drinks!
Friday, October 25 - Saturday, October 26
​Squaky and Spirits Halloween Bash is happening at the Old Idaho Penitentiary from 7-11pm on Friday and Saturday. There will be music, photo ops, food trucks, and spooky history performances along with the Old Idaho Penitentiary's haunted cell block, Terror on Cell Block 4 (Idaho's only haunted cell house), and the Haunted Infirmary. Tix are $30 and you can grab them here. But, I’m warning you… things might get a little spooky.
Saturday, October 26
The Happy Harvest Celebration is happening this Saturday at the Boise Farmer's Market (1500 Shoreline Dr) from 9am-12pm. There will be pumpkins from True Roots Farms, fun and educational activities, giveaways, polaroid photo ops, and a costume parade for the kids. Celebrate the end of their outdoor market season and support the farmers, ranchers, and makers. It's free!
Monday, October 28
​Trunk-or-Treat at the Kids Choice Center from 5:30-7pm on Monday! This is a free, public event with local businesses, food trucks, trick-or-treating, a bounce house, games, music, and a photo booth. All trunks, no tricks! Families are welcome.
Tuesday, October 29 - Wednesday, October 30
​Tunnel of Terror is happening at Bluebird Car Wash on Fairview from 7-9pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. It's basically like a haunted house in a car wash. This sounds so fun!!
Twisted humor
Friday, October 25
​Dark Jokes are being told at Mad Swede Brew Hall from 9-10:30pm. Do you have a twisted sense of humor? Expect eerie punchlines that make you say "Oh, that's dark." Tix are $20.
​It's A Conspiracy!, a Halloween-themed comedy show, is happening at Recycled Minds starting at 8pm. Laugh, ponder and question reality as improvisers take you on a hilarious journey through spooky conspiracies. Tix are $15 online, $20 at the door, and $5 for kids (5-12).​
Movie break
Thursday, October 24
​Trick or Treat (2019) is playing at the Egyptian Theatre at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30pm.
Friday, October 25
​The Witches (1990) is playing at the Egyptian Theatre at 3:30pm. Doors open at 3pm.
​Beetlejuice (1988) is playing at the Egyptian Theatre at 6pm. Doors open at 5:30pm.
​The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1988) is playing at the Egyptian Theatre at 10pm. Doors open at 9:30pm. This is an interactive film event with a burlesque show shadow cast, costume contest, sing-alongs, and props!!
Sunday, October 27
​Hocus Pocus (1993) is playing at the Egyptian Theatre at 12pm. Doors open at 11:30pm.
​Creepshow (1982) is playing at the Egyptian Theatre at 12:30pm. Doors open at 12pm.
​Lectures by Lushes: A Drunken Lecture Series is going on at White Dog Brewing starting at 8pm. Smart people teach you about interesting topics like cheese caves, MK Ultra, and construction lumber while they are hammered. Tix are $15-20. Think TED Talks meets drunk history!
Saturday, October 26
​Jo Koy is Just Being Koy at the Ford Idaho Center this Saturday at 8pm. Tix start at $54 and are going quick!
Sunday, October 27
​Off-Season Stories, presented by Storyfort, is hap-happening at Hap Hap Lounge from 5-7pm. This series is devoted to boundary-pushing authors from the Idaho area and beyond. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry and everything in between. It’s free!
Tuesday, October 29
​THE BiG DiPPER will be lighting up JUMP for Stary Story Night from 7-8:30pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Local storytellers join forces under the stars and plot lines interlink in stellar ways. It all comes together when you look at the stories written under the stars. Tix are $20.
SPONSORED BY HOUSE OF WINE
Find the Perfect Thanksgiving Pairings at House of Wine
Stuck on which wines to pair with your Thanksgiving feast? Let House of Wine take the guesswork out of it with expertly curated Thanksgiving Wine Sets!
You can choose from two options: ​3 Wine Set for $75: 1 sparkling, 1 white, and 1 red. This set pairs perfectly with each course of your traditional holiday meal from apps to turkey and cranberry sauce to the final slice of pie.
Both sets come with wine notes and stylish packaging. Orders are open now through November 10, with pick-up available November 19-27 at House of Wine (1008 W. Main Street) in downtown Boise.
​KAMAYAN is happening at Red Feather Lounge starting at 7pm. In honor of Filipino American History Month, this dinner is a private, 4-course & amuse-bouche event highlighting exquisite Filipino cuisine. It’s brought to you by Filipino Chefs Ryan Mulvaney & Harm Benoit! Tix are $75.
Saturday, October 26
​Coffee Cupping is happening at Dawson Taylor from 9-10am. In this class, you’ll walk through the process of a formal coffee cupping and be given a chance to evaluate each sample. At the end of the class, you can take home a bag of freshly-roasted beans to brew at home! Tix are $25.
Wednesday, October 30
​Tasting Night is going on at Telaya Wine Co from 6-7:30pm. There will be a tasting of 5 wines (rather than the traditional 3 or 4 in the tasting room flight). You can also pre-purchase a grazing box curated by Roots Zero Waste Market! Tix are $15.
​The Eagle Meet & Eat is getting together on Wednesday at Kosta’s Taverna at 6:30pm. It’s neighbors meeting neighbors while supporting local businesses. No politics, just fun! All locals welcome!!
Things to do
Thursday, October 24
​Backcountry Film Festival is happening at Treefort Music Hall from 6-11pm, in partnership with the Winter Wildlands Alliance. There will be two film screenings along with food, drinks, raffles, and a retro ski wear costume contest! Funds raised support our local community through human-powered recreation & conservation efforts, winter education, and avalanche/safety programs. Tix are $20 in adv or $25 at the door. Current WWA members get half off tix price!
There’s a Harry Potter Trivia Night happening at Watson's Mystery Cafe from 7-9pm. Dress as your favorite character and win points for your house, along with fabulous prizes. If you're an expert on all things Hogwarts, this is your chance to prove it! Tix are $15-45.
It's Impact Thursday, hosted by Euphoria Magazine, at Space Banana from 7pm-1am. A night dedicated to bringing a positive impact to local charities! Dress to impress and don’t miss the chance to celebrate, connect, and be inspired by other local creatives. It's free! 21+
​5Point Adventure Film Festival is happening at The Flicks in Boise from 7-9pm. Doors open at 6pm. Join Stio and 5Point Film for a night full of fun short outdoor films. There will also be beverages provided by local vendors and a stacked raffle to raise donations for Wild Hearts Idaho. Tix are $15. Calling all adventurers!
Friday, October 25
​How to Know a Person and Its Value For Public Life, a discussion with New York Times Columnist David Brooks, is happening at 7pm in the Extra Mile Arena as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series. How can we look somebody in the eye and see something large in them, and in turn, see something larger in ourselves? Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, theater, philosophy, history, and education, Brooks presents a hopeful, integrated approach to human connection and challenges us to be more understanding toward others. It’s free!
Friday, October 25 - Sunday, October 27
​Boise Fall Home Show is happening at Expo Idaho on Friday from 5-9pm, Saturday from 11am-6pm and Sunday from 11am-4pm! There will be over 160 displays and the pros to turn your to-do list into a TA-DA list!! Tix are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors. Kids 12 and under are free. Don’t miss out on this fun event!
​Sound in Motion is happening at the Morrison Center on Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2pm. Ballet Idaho is joining forces with the incredible Boise Philharmonic and Maestro Eric Garcia to produce a unique performance of music and dance. The Phil will open the show with The Sleeping Beauty Suite, a tribute to classical ballet's most iconic composer, Tchaikovsky. Tix are $30.50-$115.50.
Saturday, October 26
​Pray for Snow is happening at 10 Barrel Brewing from 5-10pm. There will be DJ’s, live music, tons of giveaways, free board waxing by McU Sports, local industry vendors, the premier of 10 Barrel athlete's film “Beer Lodge”, and of course plenty of BEER! Make sure to wear your best halloween costume for your chance to win some sweet gear. It's free!!
​The Capital City Public Fall & Winter Market is happening in the Grove Plaza from 10am-2pm every Saturday from October-December. There's just something about a Farmer’s Market on a Saturday.
There’s a Fall Swap Meet happening at High Desert Harley-Davidson from 9:30am-4pm. There will be motorcycle parts, accessories, vintage clothing, and vendors from all over the valley. Swap, shop, and get your bike ready to roll. It’s free!
​Free oil change for single moms at Christian Brothers Automotive in Meridian and Star from 8am-2pm. Call and schedule an appointment now!
Tuesday, October 29
​Creative Women's Collective is hosting their October event at Stoltz Marketing Group (101 S 16th St in Boise) from 5:30-7pm. Come see their beautiful space, connect with other creatives, and do a lil craft! You can RSVP here.
Wednesday, October 30
There’s a Historic Boise Neon Sign Gallery Lighting Ceremony, in partnership with the CCDC, on Grove St (between 12th and 13th) starting at 6:15pm. During this event, you’ll watch the installation of six stunning historic neon signs as part of the Rebuild Linen Blocks project. It’s free!
​Meet Up with the Mayor at Boise Urban Garden School from 3:30-4:30pm to talk about urban agriculture and fall programming. It’s free, but registration is recommended beforehand. Keep it casual!
Every Tuesday, read a story about a person, place, piece of Boise history, or local happening. Every Thursday, get a huge list of things to do over the weekend. No news, no politics - just the fun stuff.