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.
Don't miss out on the fun, receive an email reminder by filling out the form here.
Thank You to Our October 2023 First Thursday Sponsors:
Spacebar Arcade
620 W Idaho St • (208) 918-0597
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Activity
The First Thursday in October, deep in the cavernous basement of 620 W. Idaho Street in the very back of Arcade Underground, Spacebar Arcade. This is where you will find The Back Alley Print Shop and we will be hosting another talented artist. This month's collaboration will be with renowned dauber and troubadour, Bruce Maurey. Bruce has been a staple in the Boise art community for years. More recently he has been roaming the nation and beyond in his RV with his dog and trusty companion, "Bear" for the past 2 years. Collecting rocks, inspiration and lifelong memories to eventually pour back into his work. Join us as Bruce offers up his multi-layered candy skull X celebrity art prints. We will also be offering an "event night only" limited edition print of Bruce's work created for October 2023 1st Thursday and it will be printed live in the Back Alley Print Shop.
Tom Graineys
109 S 6th St • (208) 345-2505
Music
DJ Mike Moses spins all vinyl every 1st Thursday of the month at Tom Grainey’s from 9-close. Funk and soul, new and old, hip-hop samples and remixes, and more!
Radio Boise
1020 W Main St • 208-258-2072
Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly
Come down to Radio Boise for some great music, food and FUN. We will have a live DJ spinning tunes as well as some fun swag to rep your favorite community radio station. We welcome you in to our home away from home in the basement of the Alaska Building in downtown Boise for an Open Station on First Thursday. Radio Boise’s station manager, Nichole Marie will be there to show you around, share some food and adult beverages for those 21+. Come see what a community radio station is all about from 5pm-8pm. First Thursday in Downtown Boise
JUMP (Jack's Urban Meeting Place)
1000 Myrtle St • (208) 639-6610
Art Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
THURSDAY OCTOBER 5TH 5-9PM
Ghost stories, pumpkin painting, and spooky decor galore--every First Thursday, JUMP comes alive to celebrate community. This month we'll be getting ready for the coming spooky month with family-friendly activities.
- Ghost Stories by Ben Kemper
- Live storytelling by local high schoolers
- Costume Making
- Flash Mob Dance Instruction (to be performed at JUMP-or-Treat)
- Halloween Movie on the JUMP-otron (a family-friendly film about three sisters that happen to be witches)
The Nocturnals at Boise Brewing
521 W Broad St • (208) 342-7655
Music Food & Beverage
The Nocturnals will be playing all the greatest Grateful Dead covers in Boise Brewing's taproom 10/5, 6-9pm. Come enjoy live music and great food and beer! $7- 6 pack sale of Dark Daisy Stout and Sun Cruiser IPA too!
The Keith and Catherine Stein Luminary at BSU
1110 S Capitol Blvd •
Art Music Kid-Friendly Activity
Join The Stein Luminary for amazing high-resolution immersive video from the Barber Sensory Ecology Lab. The footage was gathered during a global study on bats' echolocation and the anti-predator cues of their prey. Professor Jesse Barber and his team have collected data from Idaho to Madagascar. Using high-definition cameras and ultra-sonic recording units, their footage captures bats in flight hunting moths and scorpions at night.
The Stein Luminary is located in the atrium of Boise State's new Center for Visual Arts. Pay-to-park kiosks are located in Brady Garage.
This family friendly event is free and open to the public.
Annual Fall Social & Car Show at WaFd Bank
1001 W Idaho St • (208) 338-7400
Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Annual First Thursday Fall Social and Car Show hosted by WaFd Bank. Stop by for music, food and a fun time!
Car show will feature the British Classic Car Club. Beverages provided by Barbarian Brewery. Food provided by the Kilted Kod food truck. And the Boise Fire Department plan to have a fire truck on site. DT Plays will have a pop-up of yard games to enjoy.
Barbarian Downtown Beer Bar
1022 W Main St • 208-387-2739
Music Food & Beverage Activity
WaFd Bank is hosting a classic car show for October First Thursday in Downtown Boise!
Where: WaFd Bank parking lot on the corner of 11th & Main St!
Food: The Kilted Kod Food Truck and Guru Donuts
Live music
Idaho British Car Club cars
AND beers from Barbarian Brewing!
A limited number of free beers will be provided by WaFd Bank. Make sure to show up early!
Extra beers available for purchase.
Must be 21 and older with proof of valid ID to drink alcohol.
Outdoor event, make sure to dress for the weather.
Silly Birch
507 W Main St • (208) 344-1889
Music Food & Beverage Activity
Happy Hour from 3pm-8pm!
Enjoy a live DJ on Thursday evening!
What bar would be complete without a few games to blow off steam? After you grab a drink, feel free to ask any of our staff to borrow a pool cue or set of darts and play away!
Art Source Gallery
1516 W Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly
Local From Global
October’s exhibition featuring Boise’s worldwide newcomers
During October, Art source Gallery is hosting a group exhibition called “Local from Global.” The aim of this exhibition is to present artwork that tells the stories of Treasure Valley’s immigrant population. Art Source Gallery invited each artist to submit up to 5 pieces of 2-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional art. The Art Source Exhibition Committee juried the artwork and selected the pieces that are represented in the gallery show. The committee considered artwork on the quality of the work, concept, and appropriateness of the subject.
Art Source Gallery will celebrate these artists on First Thursday, October 5, 2023 with food, wine and live music from 5 – 9 pm. This is a free event. Art Source gallery encourages the public to come and meet the artists, view their innovative art work and hear their stories. Art Source Gallery is located at 1516 Grove Street in downtown Boise with operating hours open the public from 10-6 pm Monday – Saturday.