Downtown Boise's Holiday Tree Lighting

Presented by Boise Cascade

Friday, November 27, 2026
5:00pm - 6:00pm
The Grove Plaza

Join your neighbors at this free, all-ages event and kick of the Holiday Season with the annual lighting of Downtown Boise's Holiday Tree! This nearly thirty year old tradition includes live music from local band, Red Light Challenge, a candle-lighting ceremony, guest speakers, and (of course) the Mayor's countdown and lighting of the Holiday Tree, which will illuminate the Grove Plaza through the new year.

The Holiday Tree also serves as Downtown Boise's Giving Tree! We are so proud to partner with the Women's and Children's Alliance each year to give Boiseans a fun way to support neighbors in need during the Holiday Season. Each year, the tree is decked out with gift tags listing items needed by a local families. Take a tag or two, find your gift downtown, and donate new and unwrapped items to the Women's and Children's Alliance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GIVING TREE

The Tree Lighting Event is also the season opening of the Holidays on the Grove Vendor Sheds! Be sure to check out the rotating vendors during the Tree Lighting and throughout December.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOLIDAYS ON THE GROVE

Volunteers from Regence handing out candles at the 2025 Tree Lighting. Thank you volunteers!

Be sure to check out local favorites, Red Light Challenge, on the stage at this year's event!

Last year's Holiday Tree was over 45' tall and was lit with more than 5,000 lights!

Plan Your Visit

Nearby Parking

The Grove Plaza is within two blocks of several parking garages including The 9th & Front St Garage, the 10th & Front Street Garage, The Capitol & Main Garage, and the 11th & Front Garage. Don't forget, the first hour is always free in ParkBOI Garages!

About the Tree

The 2026 Holiday Tree is a two-story-tall blue spruce weighing over two tons! The tree was generously donated by a Southeast Boise family. It was growing too close to nearby buildings and was already scheduled for removal, but the City of Boise Forestry Department thought it would make a great centerpiece for Downtown Boise.

The tree will shine in the Grove Plaza through New Year's Day, and will then be chipped up and removed in early January. Wood chips from the Holiday Tree are processed at the Boise Community Forestry shop and sold as mulch. The mulch is great for garden beds or tree rings! It helps add organic matter to the soil over time and helps retain moisture. Larger salvageable wood from the Holiday Tree will be saved for either firewood or wood working.