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 happen all throughout the day, but each merchant creatively plans their own event so check each listing below for individual hours and details.
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September First Thursday Live Art Show!
Join us on the Grove Plaza from 3:00 - 7:00 PM to watch local artists and students from the Idaho Fine Arts Academy do live mural painting. Stop by while enjoying all of your favorite First Thursday activities around Downtown Boise!
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September First Thursday Partner
Boise Art Museum’s Art in the Park is widely recognized as the premier cultural event in the Northwest. This open-air festival, held on the weekend following Labor Day each September, provides visitors of all ages and interests with the opportunity to meet 240 artists and purchase their works.
Boise Art Museum’s Art in the Park: September 11 - 13, 2026
Art Source Gallery - 🎨
1516 Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Join Art Source Gallery for the opening reception of “The Quiet Between the Horizons”, an exhibition of original oil paintings by Boise artist Lisa Bower on Thursday, Sept 3, from 5 to 9 pm.. The collection captures peaceful landscapes illuminated by changing light and dramatic skies. Come meet the artist and enjoy live music and refreshments. The exhibit will be on display through the month of September.
Meriwether Cider House
224 N 9th St • (208)972-6725
Food & Beverage Activity
Join us for Downtown Boise Association's 1st Thursday, and celebrate our downtown ciderhouse’s 8th Birthday! We have all the supplies to get your creative juices flowing by making masquerade masks, as well as a special sweet treat to enjoy on our patio!
This event is 21+
Boise Art Glass - 🎨
1124 W Front St • (208) 345-1825
Art Shop Activity
Pumpkins are back!! Join us and learn how to make a pumpkin in this 30-minute class! Your instructor will walk you through the process providing step-by-step guidance to help you create your very own gord-ous pumpkin! Sign up for a class anytime between 4pm and 9pm.
Solid Grill & Bar
405 S 8th St • (208) 345-6620
Music Food & Beverage Activity
½ Off Draft Beers, Well Drinks, $2 off all wines and $1 off appetizers from 4pm-6pm & 10pm-Midnight.
Liquid Laughs Underground in the Solid Cellar!
~ Two Free Comedy Shows! Just the Tips comedy show at 7pm! National touring comedians stop in Boise to perform at Liquid Laughs Underground! Free to attend!
Followed by the Treasure Valley's funniest comedians and some first timers! Free Comedy! Free Laughs! Sign ups at 9pm Show starts at 9:30pm. Ever want to try stand up comedy? This is your chance!
The best deal you will find on First Thursday!
Toy POP!
780 W Main St • 2088590095
Art Shop Kid-Friendly Activity
We're dropping NEEDOH for first Thursday!
The Needoh will drop at 4:00, line will start at the back door through the breezeway.
We will issue tickets to line holders.
Limit four total per customer, with no more than one per style.
In addition to everyone's favorite squishy, we'll have 10% off all art supplies all day!
Our coloring station will be set up with super hero masks to color and help your little ones get ready for the Boise Comic Arts Festival!
The Mode Lounge - 🎨
800 W Idaho St • (208) 342-6633
Art Food & Beverage Activity
Hapoy Accidents Club - Cocktails and Curious Art. Not yo’ mama’s Paint ‘n’ Sip. Two spots remaining.
Cactus Bar
517 W Main St • (208) 342-9732
Activity
Free to play Bingo. Prizes and drink specials following the event. from 7 to 9 pm ish
Liquid Lounge
405 S 8th St • (208) 287-5379
Music Food & Beverage Activity
First Thursday at Liquid Laughs Undergound!
~ Two Free Comedy Shows! Just the Tips comedy show at 7pm! National touring comedians stop in Boise to perform at Liquid Laughs Underground! Free to attend!
Followed by the Treasure Valley's funniest comedians and some first timers! Free Comedy! Free Laughs! Sign ups at 9pm Show starts at 9:30pm. Ever want to try stand up comedy? This is your chance!
The best deal you will find on First Thursday!
Hemlock
500 S Capitol Blvd •
Food & Beverage Activity
Join us at the bar from 3–6 PM.
Indulge in:
Boise’s Best Burger.
Steak skewers. Oyster shooters. Gaucho meatballs.
Duck-fat potatoes. Fries. Marinated olives.
$7 drafts.
$9 select wines.
$10 classic cocktails.
Two Hemlock Happy Hour rituals to get the most of First Thursdays:
Hemlock Happy Meal
Haute Girl Dinner
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Boise
1511 W Main Street • 208-514-0440
Music Food & Beverage Activity
Boise's ONLY guided social dancing party!
"Swing" in for First Thursday and find out how much fun date night or a night out on the town can be. This is the perfect opportunity to get comfortable on a social dance floor in a safe and fun environment!
Come for a few minutes just to check the place out, or stay to meet our dance community and practice to music from a variety of dance styles.
No partner required — or bring your friends. We love to see couples who want to dance together, too.
Everyone is welcome, no experience required!
7:00pm—7:45pm
Dance Demos & Free Newcomer Group Variety Class
7:45pm — 8:30pm
Social Dancing Party
Cherie Buckner-Webb Park
1100 W Bannock St •
Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
FREE CONCERT AND SNOW CONES! Come join the City of Boise as we wrap up the 2026 First Thursday Under the Tree Series with a free concert by Red Light Challenge! This month's theme, "We the People," we celebrate our unique, Boise community and the work being done every day to make this a city for everyone. Chat with partner organizations and city departments, enjoy a snow cone from Slay the Snow, play with some furry friends, and enjoy the park!
Basque Museum & Cultural Center, Inc - 🎨
611 W Grove Street • 208-343-2671
Art Shop Kid-Friendly Activity
Join us for an evening of culture, creativity, and community! Enjoy free admission to the museum all day, a wine tasting with Winefest Club, and a free art project led by local artist Marianne Schaffeld. Come explore the museum, sip some wine, and get creative with us!
House of Wine
1008 W Main St • 208-297-9463
Shop Food & Beverage Activity
Come join us at House of Wine for our exciting “First Thursday” event in September!
For this night we’ll put aside our regular wine by the glass options and offer a free three wine tasting with glasses of wine available from local favorite Veer Wine Project!
The festivities begin at 5pm and last until 8pm. This is a free event and no registration is required. We look forward to welcoming you!