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:
Bronco Shop @ City Center
777 W Main St • (208) 426-4648
Shop
🌟 Get ready to kick off May with a bang at Downtown Boise's First Thursday! 🎉 Swing by The Bronco Shop and experience the excitement on May 2nd, where the festivities last until 7 PM.
Here's something special for all our amazing supporters: with every purchase over $75, score a FREE Bronco hat! 🧢✨ It's the perfect accessory to showcase your Bronco pride wherever you go.
Join us Thursday, May 2, for an evening of fun, shopping, and community spirit. Let's make May's First Thursday unforgettable together! See you there!
House of Wine
1008 W Main St • 208-297-9463
Shop Food & Beverage
Join House of Wine for May's “First Thursday” event!!
We will be featuring Idaho’s very own, Huston Vineyards!! Enjoy FREE splashes of 3 of their fantastic wines with the option to purchase a full glass or bottle.
Supporting local never tasted so good!
Everything kicks off at 5pm and goes until 8pm. We hope to see you there!
Voodoo Cellar Boise
200 N Capitol Blvd • 2089180881
Food & Beverage
$5 Craft Beer Flights Every First Thursday!
Umpqua Bank Boise NeighborHub
190 N 8th St • 208-926-6310
Activity
Wish Granters is a local nonprofit founded in Boise in 2010. Our mission is to grant the wishes of terminally ill adults in Ada, Canyon, & Gem counties, providing joy, hope, and fulfillment to their lives. We strive to create a compassionate and supportive environment for them, where their dignity and respect are upheld. Our wish-granting program is designed to create lasting memories for them and their loved ones to cherish forever. We encourage compassion, kindness, and understanding towards those who are facing the end of their lives. Since being founded, we have granted over 425 wishes! We are looking forward to meeting people in our awesome community during First Thursdays. We will have a couple of items to raffle off, more info if you want to learn what we do, and we will be selling tickets to our largest event of the year as well!
Capitol Contemporary Gallery
451 S Capitol Blvd • 208-384-9159
Art
Capitol Contemporary Gallery invites you to discover two new exhibitions this May. Join us for Drawn to Art by John Taye and States of Being by Christine Raymond. Raymond's latest emotive paintings explore human connection, while Taye presents still life, figurative, and landscape drawings and several new wood sculptures.
Don't miss our opening reception on First Thursday, May 2nd, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Meet the artists in person and be part of a wonderful spring evening of art and conversation.
And mark your calendars for an enriching Art Chat on Saturday, May 18th, at 10:30 am. Enjoy a casual tour of the exhibitions with the artists themselves, accompanied by delicious donuts and coffee. Plus, delve into the world of drawing with John Taye as he demonstrates various techniques in charcoal, pastel, pen and ink, and silverpoint.
Admission is free, and the exhibitions will be open to the public until May 31st. Let's celebrate art together!
Radio Boise
1020 W Main St • 208-258-2072
Music
Radio Boise is having an "Open Station" in the basement of the Alaska Center on Main St. between 10th and 11th St where we will give guided tours, have live DJs Wendy Fox and Jason D on the air, share snacks and generally chat about the station and community radio from 5pm-8pm. It is hosted by Nichole Marie of The Rapture and Geek Goddess from the Rebel Alliance. This month we are joined by Freedom Bound Hounds, a non-profit dedicated to saving dogs and helping them find their forever homes in the Pacific Northwest.
Trillium Restaurant
245 S Capitol Blvd • 208-333-8002
Food & Beverage
All day Happy Hour! Half off appetizers and $4 draft beer, $4 well cocktails, $4 select wines from 11am-11pm every first Thursday in Trillium Restaurant or Trillium Bar.
Re-POP Gifts
210 N 10th St • 208-991-6112
Shop
Get ready to party with us at Re-POP Gifts! Join us for our monthly Birthday Celebrations, where we will be throwing a birthday party on the first Thursday of each month from 4:00-8:00. If it's your birth month, you and your friend will receive a special treat - 15% off your entire purchase*. And that's not all! As an extra bonus, if it's your birth month, you will also receive a birthday treat bag filled with surprises. So mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate your special day with us at Re-POP Gifts LLC!
*cannot be combined with other offers, some exclusions apply
Meriwether Cider House
224 N 9th St • (208)972-6725
Art Food & Beverage Activity
Join us for Downtown Boise's First Thursday! We will have all the supplies you need to make your very own seed bombs (lil soil balls with native seeds you can plant)! So come on down, sip on some cider, and get crafty with us!
There will also be new local art on the walls to admire!
We will also have Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation on site to talk about their awesome work!
Art Source Gallery
1516 W Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art
First Thursday at Art Source Gallery: “Wu Li: Patterns of Organic Energy” by photographer Mike Shipman
Wu Li is a Chinese term to describe how the interactions of matter and energy create visible and measurable patterns. The term seeks to encapsulate the idea that all matter and energy are connected in some way, and those connections manifest patterns. Those patterns are observable in the world either in repetition, such as animal migrations. Or, randomly like the movement of water droplets on a hot skillet.
“As a wildlife biologist, ecologist, and artist, the concept of Wu Li resonates deeply with me, Shipman says. “In this show, and much of my work, I interpret the gesture of Wu Li from my understanding of and experiences with my environment. But Wu Li is more than photographs and my artistic expression, it is also your understanding and experience viewing the photographs.”
Mike Shipman lives in Nampa, ID and is a photographer, visual artist, educator, author, bookbinder, former wildlife biologist, world traveler, and curious about everything. His photographs have appeared in national and international publications and are in private and corporate collections around the world and can be viewed at the Art Source Gallery, in Boise.
Join the artists at the First Thursday Opening Reception, Thursday May 2, 2024 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Enjoy live music, wine and snacks. The exhibition will be on display at the gallery, 1516 W Grove St. (Linen District) Boise, ID 83843. More information is available at the gallery website: www.artsourcegallery.com.
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.
Key Bank of Idaho
702 W Idaho St • (208) 364-8510
Activity
Don't miss out on KeyBank's exclusive offer!
Start saving today with KeyBank. Sign up for a checking account and get $200, plus an extra $25 when you open a savings account and meet requirements! Join us at First Thursday to take advantage of this amazing deal!
At KeyBank, we're not just a bank, we're your financial partner for life. Experience the difference of a true relationship bank, where we're dedicated to understanding your unique needs and helping you achieve your financial goals every step of the way.
Join the KeyBank family and discover the personalized service and support that sets us apart from the rest.
Join the BoldCircle at BoldHue!
405 S 8th St •
Art Shop Activity
FIRST and only
AT-HOME SHADE
MATCHING DEVICE
BoldHue revolutionizes the beauty industry with an approach to beauty that is completely customizable, for every unique individual. Our patented technology is one of a kind, just like you.
Follow our story, learn more, and view our viral videos on Instagram (instagram.com/boldhue) and TikTok (tiktok.com/@boldhue)
Join the BoldCircle and be the first to know when we officially launch. As a member, you’ll receive exclusive behind the scenes content and see milestones in real time while you wait for its anticipated arrival! Join for free at BoldHue.com
Cushing Terrell Boise
800 W Main St • (208) 336-4900
Art
Gallery Cushing Terrell Welcomes Astri Snodgrass for First Thursday in May
Gallery Cushing Terrell — located in the Boise, Idaho, office of multidisciplinary design firm, Cushing Terrell — will host a new artist, Astri Snodgrass, to showcase her work beginning on May 2, 2024.
The exhibition, “At the Mouth of the Labyrinth,” will feature sculptural works on paper. Using drawing, handspinning, and handwriting, Snodgrass explores themes of impermanence and embodiment in a colorful, visual language. The exhibition is informed by her interests in translation, etymology, and textile history.
The public is invited to visit Cushing Terrell’s office at 800 W. Main Street on the 8th floor of the Zions Bank building for First Thursday on May 2. The event will be open from 5-8 p.m.
Born in Illinois, Snodgrass draws from her Norwegian heritage and family tradition of creating handmade textiles. Trained in drawing and painting, she works experimentally across media, such as spinning paper into yarn by hand. She says, “I treat each medium I work with as its own language, with its own grammar and poetics.”
Snodgrass is an associate professor of drawing and painting at Boise State University (BSU). She teaches undergraduate and graduate students in BSU’s Department of Art, Design, and Visual Studies. Her work has been shown nationally in solo and group exhibitions. Snodgrass has been an artist in residence at Vermont Studio Center, Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts and Sciences, and Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, among others.
Learn more about Snodgrass and her work: astrisnodgrass.com
About Gallery Cushing Terrell
The idea of hosting gallery space in Cushing Terrell’s Boise office was born during the programming phase for the firm’s new offices. Boise office leadership facilitated multiple sessions asking Cushing Terrell colleagues: “What is important to you regarding your working environment?” Through this process, they learned the arts and a connection to the community were among employees’ top priorities. Rather than showcasing their own work, they decided to highlight pieces from accomplished artists within the region. The overarching goal: to inspire the public to visit the Cushing Terrell Boise office and give artists the opportunity to display their work. Learn more: cushingterrell.com/gallery
Radio Boise
1020 W Main St • 208-258-2072
Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly
We are having an "Open Station" in the basement of the Alaska Center on Main St. between 10th and 11th St where we will give guided tours, have live DJs Wendy Fox and Jason D on the air, share snacks from Green's Deli and just generally chat about the station and community radio from 5pm-8pm. It is hosted by Nichole Marie of The Rapture and Geek Goddess from the Rebel Alliance.
The Balcony Club
150 N 8th St • (208) 336-1313
Art
Coming up this First Thursday!
Bombshell Bingo is a lively and entertaining event that combines the excitement of bingo with the glamour of drag performances. Participants can expect a night filled with laughter, music, and fabulous drag queens calling out the numbers. Prizes, often with a glamorous twist, add to the fun.
Thursday April 4th, 2024
Doors at 7pm | Game 7:30pm
At The Balcony Club and it’s FREE
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.
The Warehouse Food Hall
370 S 8th St • 986-999-4081
Music Food & Beverage
Thursdays just got a major upgrade at The Warehouse Food Hall with the return of live performances! Whether you're into tunes, flavors, or just good times, our live music Thursdays cater to all. Dive into a world of diverse food options, sip on crafted drinks, and let the music elevate your evening.
Weekly on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m.
Free for all ages
The Funky Taco
801 W Bannock St • (208) 488-4593
Music Food & Beverage
Jazz Night at The Funky Taco
Once a month, on the First Thursday, The Funky Taco will have a jazz night featuring the Dean Jennings Jazz Quintet for the first set. We will then feature local jazz artists for the second set and close the night with a jam session featuring established, up-and-coming, and future jazz musicians.
Check the Event Calendars (https://www.deanvjennings.com/eventscalender) or the Funky Taco's Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/thefunkytaco/) for upcoming Jazz Nights at The Funky Taco.
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!
Delia Dante Gallery & Fire Fusion Studio
1322 W Main St • 208-810-6240
Art Shop Music Kid-Friendly Activity
First Thursday at the Delia Dante Gallery from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
John Killmaster
Opening and Artists Reception - May 2
Music by Samantha Trulock
Wine and Light Hors d'Oeuvres
This exhibition showcases a collection of paintings and enamels by Boise artist John Killmaster. These pieces document John's artistic journey, highlighting his unwavering commitment to creating art and his ongoing process of growth, refinement, and enjoyment along the way. By prioritizing creativity over repetitive formulas, John encourages experimentation and discovery, fostering the development of innovative new art forms.
Exhibition runs May 2 - June 30
Delia Dante Gallery hours:
Tuesday-Wednesday from 10am - 3pm
Thursday-Saturday from 10am - 6pm
All gallery exhibitions are always free and open to the public
"Impact of Exchange" Global Ties Exhibit
827 W Main St • (208) 336-8900
Art Kid-Friendly
Immerse yourself in the Impact of Exchange: Stories from U.S. Exchange Alumni, a remarkable traveling photography exhibit that intertwines public art with compelling narratives.
About the Exhibit:
"Impact of Exchange" is made possible through funding from the Office of Alumni Affairs and is executed by Global Ties U.S. in partnership with Photoville and local Community-Based Members nationwide. Featuring photographs and stories of U.S. citizen Exchange Alumni, this exhibit aims to ignite inspiration and foster future participation in exchange programs.
Engage with Global Ties Idaho:
Meet representatives from Global Ties Idaho during the event to discover opportunities for involvement in local programming. Gain insights into the impactful work they do and explore avenues for collaboration and engagement within the community.
Special Discussion with U.S. State Department:
Additionally, seize the opportunity to converse with a diplomat from the U.S. State Department who will be present to discuss employment opportunities within the department. Whether you're considering a career path or seeking insights into international affairs, this session offers valuable insights and connections.
Don't miss this enriching experience that celebrates the power of exchange and fosters cultural understanding. Mark your calendars for an evening of art, storytelling, and dialogue. The exhibit itself will run from April 22, 2024 through June 6, 2024. All are welcome. Free to attend.
For more information, contact globaltiesidahoboard@gmail.com.
Foothills School of Arts & Sciences
601 S 9th St • 208-331-9260
Art Shop
Foothills School hosts downtown neighbor non-profit Backyard Artists for a First Thursday Art Show and Sale on May 2 from 5:00 - 9:00 pm!
Come see downtown Boise's newest mural designed and installed by Foothills School alumnus Hawk Sahlein of Sector Seventeen!
Artists will be sharing and showing their art at Foothills School with free parking to launch your First Thursday downtown exploration. Join us for some art, conversation, community, and a free raffle for a summer recreation package!