Our local merchants plan exciting, engaging in-store events including food and beverage tastings, local art exhibits, retail trunk shows, live music, family activities, and entertainment in a special and unique way you'll only find in Downtown Boise. Stop into your favorite establishment or check out someplace new!
Events typically run from 5–9pm, but each merchant creatively plans their own event so check each listing below for individual hours and details.
Don't miss out on the fun, receive an email reminder by filling out the form here.
Thank You to Our 2023 First Thursday Sponsors:
Join Our Waitlist at BoldHue!
405 S 8th St •
Art Shop Activity
FIRST and only
AT-HOME SHADE
MATCHING DEVICE
BoldHue revolutionizes the beauty industry with an approach to beauty that is completely customizable, for every unique individual. Our patented technology is one of a kind, just like you.
Follow our story & view our viral videos on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@boldhue
Join our waitlist at https://www.boldhue.com/welcome
Erma Hayman House
617 Ash St • 208-608-7050
Food & Beverage Activity
Treat yourself to a fun night by making plans to visit the Erma Hayman House on First Thursday!
Starting on June 1 and every first Thursday through October, swing by 617 Ash Street anytime between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. to learn more about Erma Hayman, her house, and the River Street Neighborhood, while enjoying light appetizers and refreshments from local vendors.
This event is free and open to the public. Parking near and around the house is limited. Please plan ahead to find parking or use alternative transportation.
View Free Public Art at Freak Alley Gallery
Alley: 8th & 9th and Bannock & Idaho St •
Art Kid-Friendly Activity
Freak Alley Gallery is the Northwest's Largest Open-Air, Multi-artist Mural Gallery, located between 8th and 9th street and Bannock and Idaho in Downtown Boise.
Bronco Shop @ City Center
777 W Main St • (208) 426-4648
Shop Activity
Boise State Homecoming & Parent & Family Weekend Scavenger Hunt
Race against time and other participants to identify and visit as many clues as you can, taking pictures as proof and posting to Instagram using #broncosdowntown23. Pick up your clues at the Bronco Shop on Main Street starting at 5pm, and be one of the first back to the Bronco Shop to win one of three $100 gift cards to spend at the Bronco Shop! Must be back to the Bronco Shop with proof of all clues found by 7:45pm.
Meriwether Cider House
224 N 9th St • (208)972-6725
Art Activity
Join us for Downtown Boise Association's 1st Thursday!
We will be slinging cider and providing you with FREE supplies to paint your very own pumpkin for spooky season! You can choose to take your pumpkin home with you or leave it at the Cider House to help us decorate!
JUMP (Jack's Urban Meeting Place)
1000 Myrtle St • (208) 639-6610
Art Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
THURSDAY OCTOBER 5TH 5-9PM
Ghost stories, pumpkin painting, and spooky decor galore--every First Thursday, JUMP comes alive to celebrate community. This month we'll be getting ready for the coming spooky month with family-friendly activities.
- Ghost Stories by Ben Kemper
- Live storytelling by local high schoolers
- Costume Making
- Flash Mob Dance Instruction (to be performed at JUMP-or-Treat)
- Halloween Movie on the JUMP-otron (a family-friendly film about three sisters that happen to be witches)
Barbarian Downtown Beer Bar
1022 W Main St • 208-387-2739
Music Food & Beverage Activity
WaFd Bank is hosting a classic car show for October First Thursday in Downtown Boise!
Where: WaFd Bank parking lot on the corner of 11th & Main St!
Food: The Kilted Kod Food Truck and Guru Donuts
Live music
Idaho British Car Club cars
AND beers from Barbarian Brewing!
A limited number of free beers will be provided by WaFd Bank. Make sure to show up early!
Extra beers available for purchase.
Must be 21 and older with proof of valid ID to drink alcohol.
Outdoor event, make sure to dress for the weather.
Silly Birch
507 W Main St • (208) 344-1889
Music Food & Beverage Activity
Happy Hour from 3pm-8pm!
Enjoy a live DJ on Thursday evening!
What bar would be complete without a few games to blow off steam? After you grab a drink, feel free to ask any of our staff to borrow a pool cue or set of darts and play away!
Handlebar Trike Races
1519 W Main St • (208) 344-0068
Food & Beverage Activity
Free to play!
Join us every Thursday at 8pm for indoor racing!
Our trike creations are made in-house with a new trike every month.
Prizes for top 3 winners.
No pre-registration required– just show up!
We carry 24 unique craft beers on tap.
Cactus Bar
517 W Main St • (208) 342-9732
Food & Beverage Activity
Welcome to the Cactus Bar, where laughter, camaraderie, and bingo reign supreme! Join us every first and third Thursday of the month for an exhilarating evening of free-to-play bingo that will leave you in stitches.
Step into our vibrant and cozy venue, adorned with colorful banners, twinkling lights, and an ambiance that exudes pure excitement. As you settle into your seat, you'll notice a lively crowd, eagerly clutching their bingo cards, awaiting the next number to be called.
Our charismatic and quick-witted host takes center stage, armed with a microphone and an arsenal of hilarious jokes and witty commentary. Brace yourself for an unforgettable experience as they infuse the evening with their infectious energy and impeccable sense of humor. From cheeky puns to unexpected one-liners, they will keep you entertained throughout the night, ensuring that laughter echoes through every corner of the bar.
Now, let's talk prizes—oh, the prizes! We believe in rewarding our players with an array of enticing treasures that will make your heart skip a beat. The excitement is palpable as each round inches closer to the grand prize, making every number called a potential game-changer.
As the game progresses, you'll find yourself engrossed in the competitive spirit, surrounded by newfound friends and fellow bingo enthusiasts. But it's not just about winning; it's about the journey and the shared experience. The Cactus Bar is a place where strangers become friends, cheering each other on, commiserating over near-misses, and celebrating victories together.
And let's not forget the delightful selection of libations available at the bar. Sip on a creatively crafted cocktail, enjoy a chilled beer, or indulge in a nice glass of fine boxed wine—all designed to enhance your enjoyment and heighten the sense of merriment.
So, whether you're a seasoned bingo pro or a novice looking to dip your toes into this addictive game of chance, the Cactus Bar welcomes you with open arms. Mark your calendars and join us every first and third Thursday of the month for a free-to-play bingo extravaganza that combines humor, camaraderie, and the opportunity to win fabulous prizes. Get ready to shout "BINGO!" and create memories that will keep you smiling long after the final number is called.
The Keith and Catherine Stein Luminary at BSU
1110 S Capitol Blvd •
Art Music Kid-Friendly Activity
Join The Stein Luminary for amazing high-resolution immersive video from the Barber Sensory Ecology Lab. The footage was gathered during a global study on bats' echolocation and the anti-predator cues of their prey. Professor Jesse Barber and his team have collected data from Idaho to Madagascar. Using high-definition cameras and ultra-sonic recording units, their footage captures bats in flight hunting moths and scorpions at night.
The Stein Luminary is located in the atrium of Boise State's new Center for Visual Arts. Pay-to-park kiosks are located in Brady Garage.
This family friendly event is free and open to the public.
TheGym Eighth & Main
800 W Main St • 208-789-0477
Activity
Join Boise's exclusive downtown fitness center for SOCIAL HOUR!
Free equipment orientations
Refreshments & a good time
Small group class (spots limited)
Come say hi and work out with us!
- Located on the corner of 8th and Main -