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 Warehouse Food Hall
370 S 8th St • 986-999-4081
Music
Make The Warehouse Food Hall your First Thursday spot... grab a bite, sip on something good, and settle in for live music. Each month, a local artist takes the stage, setting the vibe while you kick back with craft drinks and plenty of flavor to go around.
8 Horses Lounge
199 N. 8th Street • 208-433-7800
Music Food & Beverage
Join us for December First Thursday featuring live music by The Mike Johnston Band! Blending raw rock energy with the heart of blue. 7:30-9:30pm...
https://www.mikejohnstonmusic.com
NO COVER. MUST BE 21+.
JUST IN TIME TO ENJOY OUR NEW WINTER MENU! #LOYALTOLOCAL
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Boise
1511 W Main Street • 208-514-0440
Music Food & Beverage Activity
Tis' the season for some dancing!
Swing in 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
Dance Demos & Free Newcomer Group Variety Class
7:45pm—8:30pm
Open 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 Contemporary Theater
854 Fulton St • (208) 331-9224
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage
Join us for discounted drinks and tickets only available during our First Thursday Happy Hour: 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Tickets to ALL IS CALM are $20 for preview nights and/or 20% off other performances (excluding opening and closing nights) when you buy directly from our box office during this event. Enjoy complimentary charcuterie while you browse selected works by local artist Garth Claassen, who will be on hand, including a new piece made especially for this show! Take advantage of our discounted drinks and then head to our pub at 6 pm to enjoy Carolers provided by Opera Idaho! Festivities end at 6:30 pm, just as the theater house opens, so you can get a ticket to that night’s show for only $20 and relax in the theater with your discounted drink, you clever thing!
Events:
5:30-6:30 pm Happy Hour in the BCT Lobby
6:00-6:30 pm Carolers provided by Opera Idaho in BCT's Ghost Light Pub
6:30 pm Seating begins for that night's performance of ALL IS CALM
7:00 pm Performance of ALL IS CALM begins
Chi E Shenam Westin Art
1020 Main St • 208-440-2107
Art Music
A full year of paintings featuring plein air from Kathryn Albertson Park. This collection of paintings were created between April and October of 2025! We have small 8x10 paintings up to 24x30 inch paintings in oil.
And Oil paintings of the Sawtooth Mountains.
Swing by and say hello and enjoy live music from John Ceccarelli!
Complimentary portraits downstairs with Allen Ansel.
Idaho State Museum
610 N Julia Davis Dr • (208) 334-2120
Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Ring in the Holidays at the Idaho State Museum!
Join us for our 4th Annual Holiday Fest during Downtown Boise’s First Thursday on December 4, 2025, from 5–8 PM.
Celebrate the season with a vendor fair featuring local Idaho artists, makers, and organizations. Enjoy festive music, crafts, wine and tea tastings, and free hot cocoa as you explore unique, handmade gifts and enjoy hands-on fun for all ages.
While you’re here, experience the wonder of Idaho’s history with access to our galleries, including our newest exhibits, Sage Brush and Brushstrokes and Hidden in Plain Sight.
Don’t forget to stop by the M Store, our destination retail gift shop—open seven days a week—for even more Idaho-inspired treasures.
Admission is free! Last admission is at 7:15PM.