Be Downtown Boise the First Thursday of each month to experience art, shopping, dining and entertainment in a special and unique way you’ll only find Downtown. Our local merchants plan exciting, engaging in-store events including food and beverage tastings, local art exhibits and trunk shows. Stop into your favorite establishment or check out someplace new!
Events typically run from 5:00 – 9:00pm, but each merchant creatively plans their own event so check each listing for individual hours and details.
1516 Grove St
Join us for the First Thursday opening reception of “Upon Closer Reflection”, a feature artist exhibition by Boise artist Beth Trott, May 7, 5–9 pm. The artist will be there, along with snacks, wine and live music.
Beth explores the natural world through a blend of observation and abstraction. Featuring both new and recent work from this series, the show runs May 5–30 at Art Source Gallery, in the Linen Arts District.
208-331-3374
https://www.artsourcegallery.com/event/232510/beth-trott
854 Fulton St
Our First Thursday event is ONLY from 5:30-6:30 pm, as our play, AJAX, starts at 7:00 pm. Why not stay for both? Mingle over discounted drinks and complimentary charcuterie while viewing local art in our lobby, and get 20% off tickets from our box office to stay for that night’s show, Thursday, May 7th, or buy your tickets at 20% off during Happy Hour and come back for the show Friday, May 8th, or the matinee on Saturday, May 9th. Only during Happy Hour, from 5:30-6:30 pm, meet local artist Claire Remsberg, whose work you may have seen on traffic boxes around town! Her paintings are available for sale. Learn more about her art on her website: https://www.claireremsberg.com/.
(208) 331-9224
https://bctheater.org/first-thursday-happy-hour-event/
219 N 8th St
Come to Dawson Taylor Coffee on 8th St: open form 7am to 5pm.
-BOGO Free drinks from 3-5pm!
-New local artists featured in the gallery!
See you there!
(208) 336-5633
1511 W Main Street
Boise's ONLY guided social dancing party!
The perfect opportunity to get comfortable on a social dance floor in a safe and fun environment!
Practice your moves and meet our dance community! Come for a few minutes just to check the place out, or stay and practice to music from a variety of dance styles.
No partner required — or bring your friends. We love to see couples who want to dance together, too. Everyone is welcome, no experience required!
Dance Demos & Free Newcomer Group Variety Class from 7:00pm—7:45pm
Social Dancing Party from 7:45—8:30pm
208-514-0440
https://www.fredastaire.com/boise/calendar/
500 S Capitol Blvd
Join us at the bar from 3–6 PM.
Indulge in:
Boise’s Best Burger.
Steak skewers. Oyster shooters. Gaucho meatballs.
Duck-fat potatoes. Fries. Marinated olives.
$7 drafts.
$9 select wines.
$10 classic cocktails.
Two Hemlock Happy Hour rituals to get the most of First Thursdays:
Hemlock Happy Meal
Haute Girl Dinner
https://www.hemlockboise.com/happy-hour
1008 W Main St
Come join us at House of Wine for our exciting “First Thursday” event in May!
For this night we’ll put aside our regular wine by the glass options and offer selections for a FREE “May Sunshine Wines” tasting from our friend Jackie Elo from Amphora Wines- a locally owned wine distributor.
The festivities begin at 5pm and last until 8pm. This is a free event and no registration is required. We look forward to welcoming you!
208-297-9463
https://houseofwineco.com/event/may-first-thursday-w-jackie-of-amphora-wines/
702 W Idaho St
Opening Reception: Seasons and Soliloquies by Zack Thurmond
702 W Idaho St STE 105 – Idaho Art Gallery
Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 5–9PM
Join us for the opening reception of Seasons and Soliloquies, a solo exhibition by Zack Thurmond, on Thursday, May 7 from 5-9pm at Idaho Art Gallery in downtown Boise.
Born in St. Louis and shaped by years in the Mountain West, Thurmond’s work is rooted in a deep and enduring connection to place. Largely self-taught, with a BFA from Boise State University, his paintings draw from direct observation, often beginning as small plein air studies before expanding into larger studio compositions. Whether working from a single creek drainage or a stand of aspens, Thurmond returns again and again to the landscapes that surround him, exploring a distinctly “hyperlocal” sense of place.
In Seasons and Soliloquies, these landscapes become a vehicle for reflection. At its core, this exhibition considers the passage of time not as something to resist, but as something to experience more fully. Each painting holds space for quiet observation, echoing the artist’s own awareness of time’s steady movement and the beauty embedded within it. Through changing seasons, weather, and light, Thurmond invites viewers to slow down, to notice, and to reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world.
Thurmond’s work is held in public and private collections across North America and Europe. He currently lives in Idaho with his wife, two children, and three dogs, and serves as Chief Preparator at the Boise Art Museum.
Alongside Seasons and Soliloquies, explore our current open-theme group exhibition featuring local and national artists, as well as our curated gift shop offering original works, small-format pieces, and locally made goods.
Join us for an evening of art, conversation, and community in the heart of downtown Boise.
(208) 733-4134
https://idahoartgallery.com
1000 Myrtle St
Experience the beauty and strength of American diversity through art on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at JUMP! The Wassmuth Center’s Hansberger Arts Awards Showcase highlights student performance, writing, and visual arts in response to Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Freedom from Discrimination. Don’t miss this community-wide celebration of kindergarten through 12th grade Idaho artists!
Located on the 6th floor in the Pioneer Room
Event Schedule
5:00 p.m. Student Arts Showcase, Idaho Gives Nonprofit Table Fair, Drinks & small bites available for purchase
6:30 p.m. Student Arts Awards
7:30 p.m. Boise Rock School Performance
For a full schedule of city-sponsored America 250 events, visit cityofboise.org/America250.
Parking
To access JUMP, we encourage you to use public transportation or carpool. Paid parking options are limited at JUMP and ParkBOI facilities. Plan ahead!
Accommodation
The City of Boise is committed to ensuring equal access to all public meetings, programs, and services. Reasonable accommodations and effective communication—such as ASL interpretation, materials in alternative formats and language access—are available at no cost to facilitate participation. To request an accommodation, please contact us at CommunityEngagement@cityofboise.org or call (208) 972-8500, TTY: 711.
(208) 639-6610
https://www.cityofboise.org/events/arts-and-history/2026/may/america-250-first-thursdays-at-jump/
928 W Main St
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.
(208)794-1194
https://wisdomdesigncollege.in/
404 S 8TH ST, L100
First Thursday: The Found Camera Project
What happens when you hand a camera to a stranger and ask them to tell a story?
Join us at Lenses & Brushes for a First Thursday exhibition of The Found Camera Project—a community film photography experience where cameras were hidden throughout downtown Boise and discovered by curious explorers. Each person who found a camera captured their own moments before returning it to be developed and printed in our darkroom.
This showcase features a collection of those images—raw, honest, and beautifully unexpected—creating a shared visual story of Boise through many different perspectives.
Let’s make art together.
2085902612
https://www.lensesandbrushes.com/
210 N 10th St
Here at Re-POP! the first week of May is always momentous. We've got May the 4th (be with you). And let's not forget Return of the Fifth! This May First Thursday we will be ringing in this wonderful month with one of our favorite local artists Noble Hardesty, who will be featuring a new Star Wars print!
208-991-6112
https://www.facebook.com/share/1b7X7vQ9Ei/
1118 W Idaho St
Join us at Neighborhood Prom!
Presented by Neighborhood Imagination Foundation (NIF) and Larry Flynn Benefit Events.
Mark your calendar: May 7th at 6:30-10:00pm at The Shrine Ballroom (upstairs).
The unforgettable night includes a presentation from NIF, live auction and paddle raise, the Royalty Raffle, drinks for purchase, Jilly.FM on the tunes, and dancing until bedtime!
Each ticket comes with a custom Party to the People Neighborhood Prom tote! Must be present to collect.
Follow us on Instagram or visit our website and sign up for email updates for more information!
Secure your ticket today!
(208) 343-0571
https://nif.afrogs.org/#/index
508 South 5th Street
The Art Room features a new local artist every month. That means new art on the walls of the coffee shop, classes available to the public taught by the featured artist, and a free artist showcase every First Thursday. Join us each month in encouraging local artists and building the Art Room.
Our vision is to see a generation consumed by consumption experience revival in creation. Our mission is to serve Boise with art, coffee, and community and shine the light of Jesus.
https://www.theartroomboise.com/art
370 S 8th St
Dig into $5 small plates from every corner of the food hall, crafted by the vendors you know and love... plus a few you’ll be glad to meet. This is your chance to sample the goods, try something new, or build the ultimate dinner lineup. Your taste buds are in for a night.
986-999-4081
https://www.warehouseboise.com/savor
370 S 8th St
The Warehouse Food Hall is bringing live music to the heart of downtown Boise every First Thursday. Guests can enjoy performances from local artists while exploring 10+ food and drink vendors under one roof. With cold drinks, bold flavor, and no cover, it’s the perfect spot to kick off your evening and stay awhile.
986-999-4081
https://www.warehouseboise.com/entertainment
245 S Capitol Blvd
Join us every First Thursday in Downtown Boise to experience Live Jazz performed by The Ohadi Trio inside the lobby of The Grove Hotel from 6pm-8pm!
208-333-8002
https://www.trilliumboise.com/live-jazz
200 N Capitol Blvd
$5 Craft Beer Flights Every First Thursday!
2089180881
345 South 8th Street
Come through, support AAPI-owned, and enjoy bold Thai + Lao-inspired dishes, drinks, and good vibes in the heart of Downtown Boise. Bring your and celebrate with us by kicking it off this First Thursday with extended happy hour specials 🖤
📍 345 S. 8th St (South Bodo)
🥢 Extended Happy Hour for First Thursday, Food & Drink Specials.
https://www.stalkthewok.com/