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.
Idaho Art Gallery
702 W Idaho St • (208) 733-4134
Art Shop
Artist Reception | First Impressions: Cody White Solo Exhibition
Celebrate the beauty of the West at the opening reception for Cody White’s solo exhibition 'First Impressions' at IAG Boise! Experience the majesty of the Rocky Mountains brought to life in Cody’s richly textured, large-scale oil paintings.
This exhibition runs alongside our ongoing Open Theme Exhibition, showcasing over 25 local and nationally acclaimed artists. Meet Cody, enjoy lively art conversation, and discover stunning works—all available for purchase. Bring a friend and join us for an evening of inspiration, creativity, and community!
Chi E Shenam Westin Art
1020 Main St • 208-440-2107
Art Music
A full year of paintings featuring plein air from Kathryn Albertson Park. This collection of paintings were created between April and October of 2025! We have small 8x10 paintings up to 24x30 inch paintings in oil.
And Oil paintings of the Sawtooth Mountains.
Swing by and say hello and enjoy live music from John Ceccarelli!
Complimentary portraits downstairs with Allen Ansel.
Boise Contemporary Theater
854 Fulton St • (208) 331-9224
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage
Join us for discounted drinks and tickets only available during our First Thursday Happy Hour: 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Tickets to ALL IS CALM are $20 for preview nights and/or 20% off other performances (excluding opening and closing nights) when you buy directly from our box office during this event. Enjoy complimentary charcuterie while you browse selected works by local artist Garth Claassen, who will be on hand, including a new piece made especially for this show! Take advantage of our discounted drinks and then head to our pub at 6 pm to enjoy Carolers provided by Opera Idaho! Festivities end at 6:30 pm, just as the theater house opens, so you can get a ticket to that night’s show for only $20 and relax in the theater with your discounted drink, you clever thing!
Events:
5:30-6:30 pm Happy Hour in the BCT Lobby
6:00-6:30 pm Carolers provided by Opera Idaho in BCT's Ghost Light Pub
6:30 pm Seating begins for that night's performance of ALL IS CALM
7:00 pm Performance of ALL IS CALM begins
Idaho Building
280 N 8th St •
Art Kid-Friendly Activity
Who: Third Shelf: A Placemakers’ Cooperative Library
What: Book Swap! Book swaps are opportunities for Third Shelf members to exchange books with each other, to browse some of our collecive placemaking library, and welcome new people to the community. All are welcome!
Where: Idaho Smart Growth 280 N 8th St. Suite #210
When: Every 1st Thursday starting March 6th 6-8pm
Why: Third Shelf was created as a resource sharing, agency building, and community networking infrastructure project for placemakers. Members use a booksharing app to connect and exchange their collective books becoming a physical library distributed on member bookshelves throughout the community.
Website: thirdshelf.org
Instagram: @third.shelf
Justin W John, Artist + Designer
928 W Main St • (208)794-1194
Art Activity
Wisdom College for Creativity & Design offers industry-focused programs in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Textile Design, and more—empowering students with creativity, skills, and hands-on experience to lead in the design world.
BANANA ink
214 N 9th St • (208) 345-1288
Art Shop Activity
🎄 First Thursday Holiday Scavenger Hunt at BANANA ink! 🎁
What’s Happening:
🎅 Holiday-Themed Scavenger Hunt — find hidden clues, and win Christmas prizes!
🎨 Live Painting by Toponaut Designs — He will be creating something magical right here in the shop and have all his amazing art as well!
🎁 FREE Gift Wrapping All Day! — you support local, we wrap your thoughtful gifts.
🎄 Mystery White Elephant Presents — surprise your friends with these pre-wrapped goodies!
🎉 Giveaways & More! — festive treats, local love, and holiday vibes all around.
Come celebrate local art, shop small, and kick off the holidays with us! ❤️🎁