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
Thank You to Our 2024 First Thursday Sponsor:
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.
Art Source Gallery
1516 W Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art
Art Source Gallery First Thursday opening reception of “Trees and Water, The Essence of Life” exhibit by artist Linda Huene-Solomon. The public is invited to come meet the artist and enjoy live music and treats at the opening reception Thursday, August 1, 5:00- 9:00 pm. The show will be on display at Art Source Gallery throughout the month of August.
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
Live Music! Cross Country
Downtown Boise •
Art Music Kid-Friendly
Cross Country has singer-songwriter roots with a penchant for classic country music. Whether not-so-subtly stealing ideas from Josh Ritter or doing their best Willie Nelson impression, Cross Country is sure to impress your dad. When not playing music, they're probably up running in Boise's foothills, stopping occasionally to spot birds in the brush.
Capitol Contemporary Gallery
451 S Capitol Blvd • 208-384-9159
Art
Capitol Contemporary Gallery is pleased to announce Refraction, a new exhibition for the month of August. Toby Davis and Josh Udesen will showcase paintings inspired by water, rivers, and lakes and what lies beneath the surface. Additionally, we will feature D’Arcy Bellamy’s subtractive sculptures fabricated from steel pipe.
Please join us at the gallery on First Thursday, August 1st from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. The artists will be in attendance, and we will be serving wine by Vizcaya Winery.
The show is free, open to the public, and runs through January 30th.
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.
Live Performance! Rippled Activations
Downtown Boise •
Art Music Kid-Friendly
Rippled Activations is a collaborative project that brings together live figure drawing and violin, involving three emerging creatives local to Boise. Kamryn Rose Boykin is a visual and time based artist. Kamryn is dedicated to the exploration of the body and using mediums like video, drawing, and performance to delve into the many levels of the psyche. Sydney Blood is a lifelong dancer, choreographer, and aspiring poet. The dynamic movements and poignant poetry in her work cultivate an intense empathy between dancer and audience. Joshua Emara is a self taught violinist who’s gained local notoriety for his dancing violin act. His passion for music has informed his transition from dancer to composing original music set to culminate in an album.
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.
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!
SHIFT boutique
807 W Bannock St • 208-331-7806
Art Shop
TAG SALE at SHIFT boutique! Join us First Thursday, we'll be hosting artist Jacey Peterson - showcasing her art. Then join us all weekend long for TAG SALE deals.
Flamenco Idaho
Downtown Boise •
Art Music Kid-Friendly
Flamenco Idaho is a performing group who draws inspiration from classical guitar, contemporary dance/art performance, cultural music and Flamenco. We are focused on performing new and traditional works that represent the artists that comprise the group. We come from a varying background including: classical, cultural and experimental music, numerous dance forms, visual art and poetry.