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.
Kick off football season and Septembers First Thursday with Boise State's very own Blue Thunder Marching Band! Experience the heartbeat of Bronco Nation as the band's 200+ dedicated students, from every corner on campus, bring game day energy to Grove Plaza!
Re-POP Gifts
210 N 10th St • 208-991-6112
Art Shop
This month meet Justin Hillgrove of Imps and Monsters! Justin will be in store for First Thursday for a meet and greet and will be signing prints.
Also...
Come celebrate your birthday with your friends at Re-POP! If your birthday is in September, or if you know someone who was born in September, bring them down to party it up this First Thursday!
If it's your birth month, you and your friend will receive a special treat - 15% off your entire purchase*!
And that's not all! As an extra bonus, if it's your birth month, you will also receive a birthday treat bag filled with surprises. So mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate your special day with us at Re-POP Gifts LLC!
*cannot be combined with other offers, some exclusions apply
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.
Chi E Shenam Westin Art
1020 Main St • 208-440-2107
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage
We are excited to share three art collections including:
New! Plein Air paintings from Kathryn Albertson Park
And Oil paintings of the Sawtooth Mountains, one week before the 2024 fires.
Swing by and say hello and enjoy live music from John Ceccarelli!
Complimentary portraits downstairs with Allen Ansel.
Art Source Gallery
1516 W Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Art Source Gallery will host the opening reception for Inspiration on Public Lands, a solo exhibit by Idaho-based artist Heather Hainsworth, on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m. at 1516 W. Grove St. in Boise’s downtown Linen District. The exhibit will run through the month of September.
Hainsworth’s collection of contemporary landscape paintings draws inspiration from her time spent exploring state and federal public lands. "Public lands are some of the greatest jewels of our country,” Hainsworth said. “They inspire creativity, provide access to nature and preserve vital ecosystems and history."
The opening reception will feature live music, refreshments and a chance to meet the artist. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit www.artsourcegallery.com or follow Art Source Gallery on social media.
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!
Lenses & Brushes
404 S 8TH ST, L100 • 2085902612
Art Shop Kid-Friendly Activity
Make Your Own Cyanotype Print – Free Tonight!
Step into the magic of early photography. Arrange objects, watch sunlight (or UV light) do its work, rinse your print, and reveal a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Quick, fun, and free to take home!
ART HAUS BAR by KIN
999 W Main St •
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
NIGHT MARKET!
LIVE DJ - daddybaby
Sauna Social Club - Sauna & Cold Plunge
Vendors include... SHIFT BOUTIQUE, HOLDING WHOLENESS,
HOT ERIC HONEY, SEA WOLF CERAMICS,
REDISCOVERED BOOKS, AMBROSEGRAY,
RACHEL TEANNALACH ART, SATORI SAKE,
WATERWHEEL GARDENS, CITY OF GOOD,
SUZANNE DE SOLEIL, FIREHOUSE FOODZ,
MAPS COFFEE, ROLLAND FLETCHER ARTS,
METAL & MALLET, MINER’S PROVISIONS,
LALA’S FRESH POTS, NOBLE HARDESTY,
CLAY & GOAT, GARDEN CITY PROJECTS,
FREE SPIRITS, BANANA INK, AND MORE!
Capitol Contemporary Gallery
451 S Capitol Blvd • 208-384-9159
Art
Capitol Contemporary Gallery is pleased to present Wonder & Awe, a new exhibition for the month of September featuring artwork by Rachel Teannalach and Sue Latta with jewelry and sculpture by Evan Senderowicz. Sue Latta will debut mixed media sculptures that combine photography, resin, steel, and other materials, while Rachel Teannalach will share paintings that capture precious, fleeting moments in time.
Please join us for the opening reception on First Thursday, September 4 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Meet the artists, enjoy a glass of wine courtesy of Vizcaya, and experience this beautiful new exhibition.
This event is free and open to the public, and the exhibition will be on display through September 30.
Leap Photography
1020 W Main St • 208-703-7360
Art Shop
Update Your Look on First Thursday!
Leap Photography’s Headshot Special – September 4, 2025
Is your headshot outdated… or do you just dread being in front of the camera? We get it. That’s why Leap Photography is offering a quick and stress-free headshot special during Boise’s First Thursday event.
-15-minute session
-Multiple angles
-Choose your favorite image on the spot
-Just $120 (+tax)
Spots are limited! Book your session now: https://leap-photography.vsco.page/schedule/first-thursday-headshots-september-4
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
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!