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.
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Boise
1511 W Main Street • 208-514-0440
Art Music Food & Beverage
"Swing" in for First Thursday and find out how much fun date night or a night out on the town can be!
7:00pm—7:45pm
Free Dance Demos & Newcomer Group Class
7:45pm—8:30pm
Free Guided Social Dancing
No partner required — or bring your friends. We love to see couples who want to dance together, too.
Everyone is welcome, no experience required!
Boise Public Library - Main
715 S Capitol Blvd • (208) 972-8200
Art Activity
Drop-in coloring for adults - Boise Public Library First Thursday event!
Get out of the heat and come chill with us for a relaxing evening of coloring for adults. Bring your friends!
We'll provide all materials.
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Bingham Room, 3rd floor, Boise Public Library Downtown.
Art Source Gallery
1516 W Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Join Art Source Gallery for our First Thursday opening reception of our 21st annual Juried Artist Exhibition. Prizes will be awarded at the opening reception Thursday, July 3rd, 1516 W Grove Street, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Enjoy live music from the Midnight Jazz Cats, snacks and wine. The public will be invited to vote on the People’s Choice Award.Opening reception on Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 5:00 - 9:00 PM with live music, refreshments and snacks.
This regional Show invited 2D and 3D artists from the Pacific Northwest to enter up to three works to be juried by accomplished artist, Aaron Hazel. All artwork is original, completed within the last three years, and available for purchase. This event is a highlight of the year’s events where outstanding talent from around the Pacific Northwest displays their work in Boise.
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