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 5pm -9pm, but each merchant creatively plans their own event so check each listing below for individual hours and details.
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WHERE'S SPUDDY BUDDY?
During this August's First Thursday, join us in finding Spuddy Buddy! In partnership with the Idaho Potato Commission, Downtown Boise is filled with hidden Spuddy Buddies for you to find in various Downtown businesses. Each participating* location welcomes you to come into their business, shop and try your best to find their hidden potato.
Make sure to tag us in your findings at @downtownboise or by using #Spuddybuddydt!
*Participating business will have a note in their post below and a "🥔" symbol.
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
JD's Bodega - 🥔
161 N Capitol Blvd • (208)519-5516
Shop Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Stop by your adventure through downtown this First Thursday and look for Spuddy Buddy and grab a free popcorn and play a game of pinball on us.
**Where's Spuddy Buddy Participant
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
Wassmuth Center for Human Rights
777 S 8th St • 208-345-0304
Art Shop Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Join us at the Center for First Thursday as we partner with Artisans for Hope on August 6 for a special exhibition of The Narrative Thread: Sewn Stories of Refugee Journeys to Idaho. This special open house features a collection of narratives and story quilts crafted in-between 2011 and 2021 by refugees who made Boise home. Through each quilt and accompanying story, discover the threads of courage, resilience, and belonging woven into the fabric of our community.
Thursday, August 6
4:00 - 7:00 PM
We invite you to wander through the Center, meet some of the artists, and connect with the powerful stories that have helped shape Idaho. Docents will be on hand to share more about the connective programs that both Artisans for Hope and the Wassmuth Center provide all year long.
Free and open to the public! Light refreshments provided.
Lunatic Fringe Salon
836 W Broad St • (208) 955-0400
Food & Beverage Activity
Discover what’s possible for your hair at Lunatic Fringe Salon during First Thursday! Join us from 5:00–8:00 PM for a complimentary personalized hair consultation with one of our expert stylists. Whether you’re dreaming of a new look, struggling with damage, frizz, dryness, or simply want healthier, more beautiful hair, we’ll help you create a plan tailored just for you. Enjoy our signature luxury oil bar featuring customized Kérastase treatments selected specifically for your hair needs, plus complimentary product samples. While you’re here, treat yourself to Zoch pop-up soda bar with $1 popsicles and handcrafted $3 dirty sodas. Stop in, explore, and experience a little luxury in the heart of downtown Boise.
Idaho Art Gallery
702 W Idaho St • (208) 733-4134
Art Shop Activity
Opening Reception: Alive in the Sun, Solo Exhibition by Benjamin Childress
Thursday, August 06, 2026 | 5PM-9PM
Idaho Art Gallery | 702 W Idaho St #105 | Downtown Boise
Join us for the opening reception of Alive in the Sun, a solo exhibition by Utah artist Benjamin Childress. This poignant body of work explores memory, loss, and the enduring traces of human presence through atmospheric paintings of Salt Lake City alleyways inhabited by luminous shadow-like figures. Inspired by personal grief and the histories embedded within everyday spaces, the artist creates layered compositions that blur the boundaries between past and present, inviting viewers to reflect on the people, places, and connections that continue to shape us long after they have faded from view.
Through a process that combines photography, projected colored light, and richly layered oil paint, Childress transforms familiar urban landscapes into contemplative spaces where memory lingers and the human spirit endures. Experience this new exhibition, meet the artist, and spend the evening immersed in thoughtful conversation and reflection.
Boise Art Glass - 🥔
1124 W Front St • (208) 345-1825
Art Activity
Join us in making glass blown Sundae Cups in our Specialty First Thursday class! In this 30 min class our skilled instructors will walk you through the process of making your very own sundae cup perfect for your summer ice cream. What better way to end the summer!?
August 6th from 4pm to 9pm at Boise Art Glass.
$85 per student
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 August!
For this night we’ll put aside our regular wine by the glass options and offer free tastes of 3 great wines from local Idaho favorite Indian Creek Winery!
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!
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
Meriwether Cider House
224 N 9th St • (208)972-6725
Art 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!
This event is 21+
Mixed Greens - 🥔
213 N 9th St • (208) 344-1605
Shop Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Join us at Mixed Greens for August’s First Thursday! As a thank you for voting for us as Best Giftshop in Boise for 10 years we are offering 10% off your purchase all day! Come shop with us and support our local vendors. The Idaho Humane Society is promoting Toast to Tails gala. Poppyseed Bakery will be here selling delicious baked goods. Look around the store to spot Spud Buddy! In addition to the local vendors, Mixed Greens will be sampling some of our favorite food items in the store. We hope to see you there!
**Where's Spuddy Buddy Participant