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:
Treefort Music Hall
722 W Broad St. •
Music Kid-Friendly
Duck Club Presents a FREE, all ages First Thursday show at Treefort Music Hall! Shamarr Allen and The Gold Souls are bringing groovy, funky, soulful music straight to Boise. The Gold Souls are all things soul soothing, booty shakin' boogie music! This eight-piece cosmic soul sensation's unique brand of boogie is driven by deep grooves, soaring horns, and powerhouse vocals. Shamarr Allen is the epitome of New Orleans Music! Hailing from the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Allen has influences in jazz, hip hop, rock, funk, blues and country, and has collaborated with renowned artists such as Willie Nelson, Galactic, Patti Labelle, Harry Connick Jr. and Lenny Kravitz. Come get groovy for this FREE show! Doors are at 5pm, show starts at 5:30pm and is all ages.
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.
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.
Discovery Center of Idaho
131 W Myrtle St • (208) 343-9895
Kid-Friendly Activity
The Discovery Center of Idaho will be offering exclusive after-hours access to our newest exhibition, Mummies of the World: The Exhibition, between 4:30pm - 7:30pm.
Featuring one of the largest collections of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, Mummies of the World presents a one-of-a-kind collection of naturally and intentionally preserved human and animal mummies. This compelling exhibition, presented with reverence and dignity, includes ancient mummies from South America, Europe and ancient Egypt, some dating back thousands of years.
Book your tickets up to 7 days in advance at https://www.dcidaho.org. Regular admission prices apply.
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.
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.
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.
Idaho State Museum
610 N Julia Davis Dr • (208) 334-2120
Kid-Friendly Activity
Enjoy free admission at the Idaho State Museum on Thursday, August 1st. Drop in for a guided tour led by a certified tour guide, offered at 5:30PM and 6:30PM. Tours are 45 minutes and cover the highlights of the Museum exhibits. In addition, come by and see our newest traveling exhibition "Courage and Compassion: Our Shared Story of the Japanese American World War II Experience" from Go For Broke National Education Center in the Syringa Gallery and our newest pop-up exhibit "Fighting the Odds: The Life and Legacy of Senator Frank Church" in the Canyon Gallery! Weather permitting, visit our outdoor exhibits in Pioneer Village.
The Museum will be open from 5pm – 8pm. Last admission is 7:15pm.
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.