Hello my friends. Looks like we are getting the first snow of the season tomorrow. What do you think about that?!

I have lots of Christmas prep things for you today, as well as some non-Christmas things. If you need an easy & quick gift, get a super duper cozy From Boise sweatshirt or t-shirt! Free sticker included in all purchases from now until Christmas.

Next week you can shop in person & come see us at First Thursday. We will have a lil booth at Treefort Music Hall starting at 5pm with all our t-shirts, sweatshirts, pins, stickers & you can write a postcard to Santa, too! Boise Phil Youth Orchestra will also be there performing classic holiday tunes, there's an ornament making station and lots more! It will be fun, swing by even just to say hi :)

In partnership with Downtown Boise Association

Oh what fun it is to celebrate the holidays in beautiful Downtown Boise! Join the upcoming community festivities:

❄️ Nov 24-Jan 28: Experience Glide on the Grove, the new all-inclusive & completely free ice skating rink on the Grove Plaza. So fun!

❄️ Nov 27-Dec 18: Contribute to the WCA Giving Tree by picking a gift tag off the garland surrounding the holiday tree on the Grove Plaza. Shop for the requested item, then drop off your new, unwrapped gift to WCA by Dec 18.

❄️ Dec 1-2, 8-9, 15-16: Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride in Downtown Boise with Washington Trust Bank. Rides happen 4-8pm on the dates listed & are first-come, first-served.

❄️ Sat Dec 2: See the Boise Holiday Parade through Downtown Boise. The parade kicks off at 10am!

❄️ Th Dec 7: Go shopping during First Thursday, happening all over Downtown Boise from 5-8pm!

❄️ Speaking of gifts, here's a few more ideas for holiday shopping in Downtown Boise! Have guests in town for the holidays? Here's a few ideas for holiday dining in Downtown Boise!

❄️ Check out the full list of 2023 holiday events in Downtown Boise!

Glide on the Grove, credit Downtown Boise Association

Where to find Santa in Boise

The big guy is in Boise, y'all. Here's where to go get a pic with him:

Now-Dec 24: The Village at Meridian has photos with Santa every day through Christmas Eve. You have to make a reservation and the times vary each day. Kids can also send Letters to Santa at The Village.
Now-Dec 24: Boise Towne Square Mall has photos with Santa by reservation. Pet photos available too!
Now-Dec 24: Cabela's has free photos with Santa by reservation. Kids can mail a letter to Santa there too.
Dec 2-24: Gateway Parks is hosting Santa on Saturdays & Sundays through Dec 24. He will be there 11:30am-2:30pm.
Dec 4-18: Pet photos with Santa at The Village every Monday from 4-8pm! The next dates are Dec 4, 11 & 18.
Sat Dec 2: Wahooz has Bowling with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 11am-12pm. It's $15 and includes one hour of bowling, shoes, and cookies & cocoa.
Sat Dec 2: Get Breakfast with Santa at Chick-a-fil-A at The Village at Meridian. Only a few seats left! Tix are $15.
Sat Dec 2, 9, 16, 23: High Desert Harley-Davidson is hosting The Grinch on Dec 2 for photos from 12-4pm. Santa will be there on Dec 9, 16 & 23 from 12-4pm.
Sat Dec 2 & 16: Idaho River Sports will host Santa & an elf (in a red raft lol) in the store on Dec 2 and 16 from 1-4pm. Kids and pets welcome!
Sun Dec 10 & 17: Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise is from 8:30-10am. Tix are $20-$25 for kids age 3-11 and $35-$40 for GA. Tix are going quick so register asap!

Christmas concerts & events

Nov 29-Dec 16: Boise Contemporary Theatre is performing The Thanksgiving Play with multiple showtimes.
Th-Sun Nov 30-Dec 3: Go see A Charlie Brown Christmas, performed by BSU's Theatre Arts students. Tix are $10-$15.
Th-Fri Nov 30-Dec 1: Dance Allegro Academy is performing The Nutcracker at Nampa Civic Center.
Fri Dec 1: Downtown Meridian is having its Winter Lights Parade & showing The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
Fri-Sat Dec 1-2: Elijah Rock - White Christmas at The Sapphire Room
Sat Dec 2: The 20th Annual Treasure Valley Night Light Parade is happening in Downtown Caldwell at 6pm.
Sat Dec 2: Eagle Country Christmas is happening at Heritage Park from 1-6pm. Santa, music, holiday market & kid activities.
Sat Dec 2: Downtown Boise Holiday Parade is happening at 10am.
Sat Dec 2: A Nathan Pacheco Christmas at The Egyptian Theatre. Tix start at $30.
Sat Dec 2: Boise Women's Chorus is performing Wintering at First Presbyterian Church. Tix are $10-$15. Starts at 7pm.
Sun Dec 3: Boise State Winter Choral Concert is happening at First Presbyterian Church at 7:30pm. Tix are $10 at the door.
Tue Dec 5: GENTRI Christmas is performing at The Morrison Center. Tix are $44.50-$119.50.
Tue Dec 5: Jeremy McComb’s Christmas Cowboy Style at The Sapphire Room
Sat Dec 9: Kuna Down Home Country Christmas is happening all day. There's a market and photos with Santa starting at 10am and a parade at 6pm.

Holiday shopping

A few places to go gift shopping this weekend:

Fri-Sat Dec 1-2: Vintage Market Days is happening at Ford Idaho Center. Tix are $15 on Friday or $10 on Saturday, and tix are valid all weekend. Kids 12 and under are free.
Fri-Sun Dec 1-3: Handmade Idaho Holiday Show is happening at El Korah. This is kinda like a mini Wintry Market with all local, handmade artists and makers.
Fri-Sun Dec 1-3: Boise Christmas Show is happening at Expo Idaho. There's over 200 vendors to shop. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, kids under 12 are free.
Sat Dec 2: Hip Holiday Craft Market is happening at Flying M Coffee Garage in Nampa from 9am-5pm. Shop over 30 artists and vendors, plus Flying M's gift shop.
Sat Dec 2: Sockeye Brewing Holiday Market is happening from 10am-4pm at the brewery (12542 W Fairview Ave). Shop local vendors with a beer in hand.
Sat Dec 2: Peace Valley Charter School is hosting its annual Winter Faire & Artisan Marketplace from 11am-4pm.
Sat Dec 2 & 9: Boise Farmers Indoor Market at Greyhound Bus Station
Sat Dec 2 & 9: Local Makers Market at Edwards Greenhouse
Sun Dec 3: Lovely Hollow Farm Holiday Market is happening from 10am-4pm. Admission is free!
Sun Dec 3: Holiday Market at District Coffee House, complete with champagne cocktails. Goes 9am-4pm.

Sponsored by Idaho State Historical Society

Celebrate the holiday season at the Idaho State Museum!

The Idaho State Museum is hosting a Holiday First Thursday on December 7 (one week from today!) from 5-8pm. Experience a special preview of the enchanting Winter Wonder Village and shop for holiday gifts at the 2nd annual Vendor Fair featuring all Idaho artists and vendors, including a wine tasting, tea tasting & more!

As you shop for unique holiday treasures, take a moment to explore the museum's exhibits and embrace the festive atmosphere. Concessions will be available for purchase to keep you fueled for this magical evening. Best of all, this community celebration is free for all! Learn more here.

First Thursday at the Idaho State Museum. Credit Idaho State Historical Society.

Tunes & shows

TONIGHT: The Moody Jews 6th Annual Chanukah Party at The Sapphire Room
TONIGHT: Rosegarden Funeral Party + Trigger Discipline at Shrine Social Club Basement
TONIGHT: Mammoth WVH + Nita Strauss at Knitting Factory
Fri Dec 1: Ishi + Brooke Would + JustinCase at Treefort Music Hall
Fri Dec 1: Yasmin Nur + Sugar Pox at Neurolux
Fri Dec 1: Shout Out to the Ravers at Realms Arcade
Fri Dec 1: Jazz Night at Coiled Wines
Fri Dec 1: Little Friday at Hap Hap Lounge
Sat Dec 2: Living Legends + Brother Ali + Reverie + Andy O & Axiom at Treefort Music Hall
Sat Dec 2: Emo Nite at Knitting Factory
Sat Dec 2: Punk Rock Night at New Colony Beer Co
Sat Dec 2: Asphalt Buffet at Heritage Social Club
Sat Dec 2: Radio Boise's Practice New Year's Eve Party at Basque Center
Tue Dec 5: Hiss Golden Messenger + Adeem The Artist at Knitting Factory
Wed Dec 6: HARBOUR + Arms Akimbo + Sylmar at Neurolux

Comedy & storytelling

Fri Dec 1: Local author Tomás Baiza is doing an intimate reading at The Lit Room in Garden City for First Friday. Reading is from 7-8pm. If you haven't been to that bookstore yet, you need to! It's so cute.
Fri Dec 1: Join Captivating Conversation with David Steece at the Old Idaho Pen. David is the author of Twenty to Life: Essays of a man’s journey to change throughout his incarceration. In 2003, he entered the system as a white supremacist, and became a high-ranking gang leader, but in 2012 he had a profound revelation that made him question all his beliefs and assumptions. This awakening led him to renounce racism and to speak out against hatred. What originated as a series of Facebook posts grew into this book of essays that is the chronicle of his journey. Interesting! It's free but you have to register for it.
Sat Dec 2: Comedian Nate Ford and friends are at Mad Swede Brew Hall (downtown) from 9-10:30pm. Tix are $20.
Weekly comedy open mics: Mondays at Mad Swede (Cole Road), sign ups 7:30pm/start 8pm. Tuesdays at Hops & Bottles at 6:30pm. Wednesdays at The Handlebar at 8pm. Thursdays at Mad Swede (Downtown), online sign ups, starts at 8pm. Saturday at Mad Swede (Downtown), sign ups 10:30pm, start 11pm.

Food finds & things to drink

Mon Dec 4: Boise Brewing Brewer's Dinner is happening at 6pm. It's a 4 course meal paired with beer! Looks delish. Tix are $65.
Wed Dec 6: Thinking of holiday meals? Join the Clean Cuisine Cooking Class at Boise Co-op at The Village & learn to make Cioppino, Papparadelle, and Holiday Bread Pudding. Yum! Tix are $55-$65 and the class goes 5:30-7:30pm.
Mon Dec 18: Get your tix for Soil To Soul Holiday Dinner Party, A Cultured Evening at Cloud 9 Brewery. This sounds so cool! It's a private evening of all local food, presentations on the food, a family-style meal and a holiday market! Tix are $80 and includes everything (and going fast so buy asap)!
Did you hear that Flour Child is closing? Sad but good for her! Go get those amazing cakes while ya can. Last day open is Dec 15.
Have you tried Don & Charly's yet? It's a new lunch & dinner spot at 103 N 10th Street in downtown Boise. They do sandwiches, all of which can be made as a salad, and charcuterie boxes! Great review so far.
Have you tried Acero Board & Bottles yet? It's the new spot on the Grove Plaza where Lucky Fins used to be. They have pasta, soups, salads, flatbreads, pick 4 bruschetta, and lots of shareables. Some awesome deals there too, like the 6 before 6 happy hour, which is $6 glasses of wine or $6 pitches of beer before 6pm. The late night special (8pm-close) is the pick 4 bruschetta and a bottle of wine for $30. They take reservations!

A few menu options, credit Acero Boards & Bottles.

Things to do

TONIGHT: Check out Luminesscence, a captivating belly dance show by Starbelly School of Dance. It's at the Lounge at the End of the Universe from 7-9pm. Tix are $15 online or $20 at the door.
Th-Sat Nov 30-Dec 2: Go see Hadestown, the acclaimed musical that intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone. Tix are $49-$139.
Fri Dec 1: It's First Friday in Garden City! Bundle up & go check out local artist studios, readings, art performances and much more.
Fri-Sat Dec 1-2: Idaho Fish & Game is having a bird seed sale and live bird demos! They also have a take home craft for kids. It's from 9am-5pm at the MK Nature Center.
Fri-Sat Dec 1-2: Idaho Steelheads hockey games both days at 7:10pm.
Sat Dec 2: Go see Slay Belles, a holiday drag show, at VAC. Tix are $25 online or $30 at the door and it starts at 7:30pm. 21+
Mon Dec 4: Join the Holiday Wreath Making Class at Barbarian Brewing! It's at 6pm and tix are $45 or $65 depending on how big of a wreath you want to make.
Tue Dec 5: Take the Pressed Flower Ornament Class at Barbarian Brewing! It's a 2 hour class and you get to make 2 different ornaments. Tix are $40.