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.
SUPERSIZED First Thursday's are back!
What does that mean? More free activation throughout your downtown area! We'll have roving artist performing & engaging with the public for free fun during select months! Keep an eye out for the signs for where they'll pop-up next!
Interested in being a performing artist for our SUPERSIZED First Thursdays?
Submit ARTIsT Information Here
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Boise
1511 W Main Street • 208-514-0440
Activity
Come join us on the Dance Floor for our Free Open House! 7:15pm — 8:45pm.
Starting at 7:15pm, we’ll host a beginner friendly group class. You’ll learn the basics to a variety of dances and what makes each one unique.
At 8:00pm, we’ll shift into Social Dancing! Practice your moves, meet our dance community, and enjoy some tasty treats!
Come for a few minutes just to check the place out, or stay and practice to music.
No partner required — or bring your friends. We love to see couples who want to dance together, too. Everyone is welcome, no experience required!
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.
Lenses & Brushes
404 S 8TH ST, L100 • 2085902612
Art Shop Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Lenses & Brushes gallery showing of all the art created by summer camp artists. Art work will be displayed August 1 - 15, 2024. Stop by to view these talented artist's creations, learn about services, and enjoy refreshments.
Join the BoldCircle 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, learn more, and view our viral videos on Instagram (instagram.com/boldhue) and TikTok (tiktok.com/@boldhue)
Join the BoldCircle and be the first to know when we officially launch. As a member, you’ll receive exclusive behind the scenes content and see milestones in real time while you wait for its anticipated arrival! Join for free at BoldHue.com
Idaho State Museum
610 N Julia Davis Dr • (208) 334-2120
Kid-Friendly Activity
Enjoy free admission at the Idaho State Museum on Thursday, August 1st. Drop in for a guided tour led by a certified tour guide, offered at 5:30PM and 6:30PM. Tours are 45 minutes and cover the highlights of the Museum exhibits. In addition, come by and see our newest traveling exhibition "Courage and Compassion: Our Shared Story of the Japanese American World War II Experience" from Go For Broke National Education Center in the Syringa Gallery and our newest pop-up exhibit "Fighting the Odds: The Life and Legacy of Senator Frank Church" in the Canyon Gallery! Weather permitting, visit our outdoor exhibits in Pioneer Village.
The Museum will be open from 5pm – 8pm. Last admission is 7:15pm.
Meriwether Cider House
224 N 9th St • (208)972-6725
Food & Beverage Activity
Join us for Downtown Boise Association's 1st Thursday! Get your creative juices flowing by making your very own pet rock! With just the right amount of love your new pet will live forever, no food, water, or exercise required!
We have all the supplies to bring your lil guy to life for free while you sip one of our 20 craft ciders!
Art in The Alaska Center: New Art Series by Chi E Shenam Westin
1020 Main St • 208-440-2107
Art Shop Kid-Friendly Activity
An exploration of Zen Buddhists oil paintings of Sutras and Practices.
New paintings on copper & aluminum including Extreme Plein Air: The Trees of Winter.
Also showing The trees of Zion, paintings from McCall, Thorn Creek Butte, Tetons in Driggs, and Payette Lake.
Ink Spa
404 S 8th St • (208)315-6664
Art Shop Activity
$50 piercings - including jewelry - September - December First Thursdays at Ink Spa! Bring a friend and walk in between 4 and 9 PM to get that piercing you've been wanting. Not enough needles? Get a tattoo while you're in too! What better art experience than new ink!
Discovery Center of Idaho
131 W Myrtle St • (208) 343-9895
Kid-Friendly Activity
The Discovery Center of Idaho will be offering exclusive after-hours access to our newest exhibition, Mummies of the World: The Exhibition, between 4:30pm - 7:30pm.
Featuring one of the largest collections of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, Mummies of the World presents a one-of-a-kind collection of naturally and intentionally preserved human and animal mummies. This compelling exhibition, presented with reverence and dignity, includes ancient mummies from South America, Europe and ancient Egypt, some dating back thousands of years.
Book your tickets up to 7 days in advance at https://www.dcidaho.org. Regular admission prices apply.