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.
The U.S. Assay Office
210 Main St •
Art Shop Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Help us celebrate Historic Preservation & Archaeology Month!
Join us for a vibrant celebration at the freshly renovated, historic Assay Office! Earlier this year, the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office solicited artwork from over 100 Idaho artists depicting the historic Rainbow Bridge spanning the Payette River. We hope you will join us from 4 to 7pm on the lawn where guests of all ages are encouraged to explore booths from local artists, communities, and historic preservation organizations. Food truck options will also be available.
High Note Cafe
225 N 5th St • (208) 429-1911
Art Activity
An open mic event for written works including poetry, prose, and fiction. Signs- ups start at 5PM. Mic begins at 6PM. Vegan food, beer, and wine served all night.
WaFd Bank
1001 W Idaho St • (208) 338-7400
Art Music Food & Beverage
Get ready for a night to remember! We’re excited to invite you to our First Thursday event on May 1, 2025, 5pm-7:30 pm- featuring amazing food, local music by the incredibly talented Spenser Batt, and beautiful art created by the students of Boise High School. This is an evening you won’t want to miss!
Not only will you get to enjoy stunning artwork, but you’ll also have the chance to meet some of the amazing team members from Jesse Tree, a local nonprofit that plays a pivotal role in our valley by helping families avoid eviction and stay in their homes.
Come have some fun, support local talent, and enjoy a night of community spirit. We can’t wait to see you there!
Alia's Coffeehouse
908 W Main St • (208) 338-1299
Art Activity
Join us for Expressions of COMM-UNITY, a day dedicated to movement, sound, art, and connection. This event is a call to feel more, connect deeper, and resist the noise of disconnection through beauty and presence.
SCHEDULE:
🧘♀️ Yoga & Soundbath with Jenn and Ashley
3:00 - 4:30 PM - BY DONATION Sliding Scale $5-30 - Register here
Drop into your body and breathe into presence. This 90-minute practice begins with yoga and lulls you into rest with sound to help you connect, ground, and awaken your creative energy.
🎨 Art Show - Expressions of COMM-UNITY
5:30 - 8:00 PM - FREE - JUST SHOW UP, No need to register
An art show like no other—a celebration of unity, rebellion through kindness, and the power of creativity to build community.
Featuring local artists whose work speaks to peace, belonging, collaboration, and the quiet power of giving a damn. Artwork will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting local artists and Upward Inertia’s grassroots movement for community change.
Come witness bold expressions, heartfelt creations, and the undeniable magic of coming together. This is community. This is rebellion through art. Proceeds go to Artists and Upward Inertia.
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