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 U.S. Assay Office
210 Main St •
Art Shop Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Help us celebrate Historic Preservation & Archaeology Month!
Join us for a vibrant celebration at the freshly renovated, historic Assay Office! Earlier this year, the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office solicited artwork from over 100 Idaho artists depicting the historic Rainbow Bridge spanning the Payette River. We hope you will join us from 4 to 7pm on the lawn where guests of all ages are encouraged to explore booths from local artists, communities, and historic preservation organizations. Food truck options will also be available.
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!
Art Source Gallery
1516 W Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art
Opening Reception - First Thursday, May 1st - Art Source Gallery presents “Illusions” a photographic exhibition by Boise-based photographer Amy McRae. Inspired by newly learned techniques in holographic and agamographic art. McRae creates optical illusions that let the viewer see images that change with their viewing angle and perspective. Join us for the Opening Reception on First Thursday, May 1st, from 5-9 PM. The show runs through May at Art Source Gallery, downtown Boise. Free and open to the public.
For details, visit www.artsourcegallery.com
Boise Brewing
521 W Broad St • (208) 342-7655
Music Food & Beverage
Each first Thursday at Boise Brewing offers live music from rotating local artists on the patio, 6-9pm. Come inside check out the restaurant while admiring fresh art provided by Boise Weekly!
Hillcrest Bank
800 W Bannock St • 208-344-5528
Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Stop by Hillcrest Bank to put your putting skills to the test and enjoy some fun! Plus, don’t miss out on our amazing raffles where you could win one of these fantastic prizes:
1st Place: A brand-new putter
2nd Place: $50 gift card to Crave
3rd Place: Gift card from Elite Aesthetics
We look forward to seeing you there for a great evening of local flavor, art, and excitement!
Chandlers Prime Steaks | Fine Seafood
981 W Grove St • (208) 383-4300
Food & Beverage
Gather. Sip. Socialize.
Join us at Chandlers for Social Hour.
Monday through Friday at the bar/lounge from 4-6pm.
Gather and relax with handcrafted cocktails like
our Cosmo or Champagne Cocktail and savor with a
selection of sociable dishes, all offered at $10.
8 Horses Lounge
199 N. 8th Street • 208-433-7800
Music Food & Beverage
We are thrilled to have Thomas Paul's Doll Garnet Band playing live music from 6:00pm - 9:30pm. NO COVER! Come sip amazing craft cocktails, explore fantastic wine and share appetizers offered from our sister concept, ÀLAVITA in the original bank vault. Located below FORK Restaurant.
Voodoo Cellar Boise
200 N Capitol Blvd • 2089180881
Food & Beverage
$5 Craft Beer Flights Every First Thursday!
House of Wine
1008 W Main St • 208-297-9463
Shop Food & Beverage Activity
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 three wine tasting from famed local producer, Hell’s Canyon Winery.
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!
Radiant Waxing
818 W Idaho St • 2083331444
Art Shop Music Kid-Friendly Activity
🚨 PSA: $15 Brazilian waxes for new guests are officially a thing. Your skin will thank you. 😍
Whether you’re a wax veteran or trying it for the first time, this is your sign to treat yourself to soft, radiant skin at an unbeatable price. Our expert waxologists make it quick, comfortable, and totally worth it. ✨
📍 Radiant Waxing Boise Downtown
📅 Limited-time offer – don’t wait!
📲 Book online or give us a call at (208) 333- 1444 to book!
This offer is for new guests and not combinable with any other offers.
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.
Alia's Coffeehouse
908 W Main St • (208) 338-1299
Art Activity
Join us for Expressions of COMM-UNITY, a day dedicated to movement, sound, art, and connection. This event is a call to feel more, connect deeper, and resist the noise of disconnection through beauty and presence.
SCHEDULE:
🧘♀️ Yoga & Soundbath with Jenn and Ashley
3:00 - 4:30 PM - BY DONATION Sliding Scale $5-30 - Register here
Drop into your body and breathe into presence. This 90-minute practice begins with yoga and lulls you into rest with sound to help you connect, ground, and awaken your creative energy.
🎨 Art Show - Expressions of COMM-UNITY
5:30 - 8:00 PM - FREE - JUST SHOW UP, No need to register
An art show like no other—a celebration of unity, rebellion through kindness, and the power of creativity to build community.
Featuring local artists whose work speaks to peace, belonging, collaboration, and the quiet power of giving a damn. Artwork will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting local artists and Upward Inertia’s grassroots movement for community change.
Come witness bold expressions, heartfelt creations, and the undeniable magic of coming together. This is community. This is rebellion through art. Proceeds go to Artists and Upward Inertia.
Acero Boards and Bottles
801 West Main Street • 208-801-6896
Food & Beverage
Board & Bottle is making its First Thursday debut! Join us at Acero from 5-9 PM for our Board & Bottle special: enjoy a bottle of wine from our curated selection and a delicious bruschetta board of your choice for just $30. Sip, snack, and celebrate the night with us!
City of Boise (City Hall)
150 N Capitol Blvd •
Music Kid-Friendly Activity
First Thursday at City Hall Plaza - Movement for Everyone
Stop by the City Hall to learn how we’re working to make Boise safer, more accessible, and connected—whether you walk, bike, roll, or ride. Catch a yoga class, shoot some hoops, test your skate skills, meet city staff, and explore how we’re creating a city that moves with you.
Join us from 5-7 on the Plaza!
Eureka!
800 W Idaho St • (208) 286-4410
Food & Beverage
Cheers to Thursdays with our $10 Buffalo Trace Old Fashioneds available all day long.
Cactus Bar
517 W Main St • (208) 342-9732
Food & Beverage Activity
Bingo Nights every First Thursday and every 3rd Thursday of every month. Free to play. Multiple games played in a night. Starts at 7 and ends roughly around 9 pm. Prizes to be won.
Ink Spa
404 S 8th St • (208)315-6664
Art Shop Activity
This First Thursday we're celebrating May Day—a longtime tradition of sharing flowers with friends and neighbors to welcome spring. Join us!
🌼 Thursday, May 1 | 6–9 PM 🌼
🌷 Walk-in Tattoos
🌸 $60 Piercings
💐 Free Flower Bouquet Bar
Stop by, say "hi", and leave with fresh petals, piercings, and a flower tattoo—or all of the above!
High Note Cafe
225 N 5th St • (208) 429-1911
Art Activity
An open mic event for written works including poetry, prose, and fiction. Signs- ups start at 5PM. Mic begins at 6PM. Vegan food, beer, and wine served all night.
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
Stretch Zone Boise
112 S 6th St • 208-993-7979
Activity
Stop by Stretch Zone this 1st Thursday for a free stretch and feel the difference assisted stretching can make!
WaFd Bank
1001 W Idaho St • (208) 338-7400
Art Music Food & Beverage
Get ready for a night to remember! We’re excited to invite you to our First Thursday event on May 1, 2025, 5pm-7:30 pm- featuring amazing food, local music by the incredibly talented Spenser Batt, and beautiful art created by the students of Boise High School. This is an evening you won’t want to miss!
Not only will you get to enjoy stunning artwork, but you’ll also have the chance to meet some of the amazing team members from Jesse Tree, a local nonprofit that plays a pivotal role in our valley by helping families avoid eviction and stay in their homes.
Come have some fun, support local talent, and enjoy a night of community spirit. We can’t wait to see you there!