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 happen all throughout the day, but each merchant creatively plans their own event so check each listing below for individual hours and details.
September First Thursday Live Art Show - Details coming soon!
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September First Thursday Brought to You By
Boise Art Museum’s Art in the Park is widely recognized as the premier cultural event in the Northwest. This open-air festival, held on the weekend following Labor Day each September, provides visitors of all ages and interests with the opportunity to meet 240 artists and purchase their works.
Boise Art Museum’s Art in the Park: September 11 - 13, 2026
Acero Boards & Bottles
801 West Main Street • 208-801-6896
Food & Beverage
All Day Happy Hour at Acero
For First Thursday, we’re extending our weekday $6 til 6 special all day long! Enjoy $6 glasses of wine and $6 beer pitchers from 11 AM–10 PM while you explore Downtown Boise.
Reserve wines excluded. First Thursday only.
Studio Blue - 🎨
212 N Ninth St •
Art
Join me, Kristen Edwards in my studio space for First Thursday to view a collection of finished works and an inside look at what’s currently in progress. My paintings are modern, contemporary, and industrial in feel, with a strong focus on texture. Originals, prints, and commissions available.
Studio Blue is located inside Boise Boba and up the stairs.
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 September!
For this night we’ll put aside our regular wine by the glass options and offer a free three wine tasting with glasses of wine available from local favorite Veer Wine Project!
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!
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Boise
1511 W Main Street • 208-514-0440
Music Food & Beverage Activity
Boise's ONLY guided social dancing party!
"Swing" in for First Thursday and find out how much fun date night or a night out on the town can be. This is the perfect opportunity to get comfortable on a social dance floor in a safe and fun environment!
Come for a few minutes just to check the place out, or stay to meet our dance community 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!
7:00pm—7:45pm
Dance Demos & Free Newcomer Group Variety Class
7:45pm — 8:30pm
Social Dancing Party
The Warehouse Food Hall
370 S 8th St • 986-999-4081
Music Food & Beverage
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.
Cherie Buckner-Webb Park
1100 W Bannock St •
Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
FREE CONCERT AND SNOW CONES! Come join the City of Boise as we wrap up the 2026 First Thursday Under the Tree Series with a free concert by Red Light Challenge! This month's theme, "We the People," we celebrate our unique, Boise community and the work being done every day to make this a city for everyone. Chat with partner organizations and city departments, enjoy a snow cone from Slay the Snow, play with some furry friends, and enjoy the park!
Idaho Art Gallery - 🎨
702 W Idaho St • (208) 733-4134
Art Shop
Opening Reception: Archeology: Hidden Treasures, a Solo Exhibition by Martha Channer.
Thursday, September 03 | 5-9PM
Idaho Art Gallery | 702 W Idaho St #105 | Downtown Boise
Join us for the opening reception of Archeology: Hidden Treasures, a solo exhibition by local artist Martha Channer, an installation that explores the unity of opposites through the metaphor of an archaeological excavation. Blending symbolism, fantasy, and personal vision, the exhibition invites viewers on a journey beneath the surface—both literally and psychologically—to uncover the hidden landscapes of the unconscious mind. Through a series of mixed-media works, sculptural elements, and installation components, each discovery reveals another layer in a larger narrative while standing as a unique work in its own right.
Inspired by archaeology, mythology, and the shared human experience, the exhibition combines richly textured mixed-media paintings with interactive and environmental elements that encourage curiosity and reflection. Meet the artist, experience this one-of-a-kind installation, and spend the evening exploring an imaginative world where hidden treasures, symbolism, and storytelling come together.
The Art Room Inc. - 🎨
508 South 5th Street •
Art Food & Beverage
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.
Boise Art Glass - 🎨
1124 W Front St • (208) 345-1825
Art Shop Activity
Pumpkins are back!! Join us and learn how to make a pumpkin in this 30-minute class! Your instructor will walk you through the process providing step-by-step guidance to help you create your very own gord-ous pumpkin! Sign up for a class anytime between 4pm and 9pm.
Art Source Gallery - 🎨
1516 Grove St • 208-331-3374
Art Shop Music Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly Activity
Join Art Source Gallery for the opening reception of “The Quiet Between the Horizons”, an exhibition of original oil paintings by Boise artist Lisa Bower on Thursday, Sept 3, from 5 to 9 pm.. The collection captures peaceful landscapes illuminated by changing light and dramatic skies. Come meet the artist and enjoy live music and refreshments. The exhibit will be on display through the month of September.
Toy POP!
780 W Main St • 2088590095
Art Shop Kid-Friendly Activity
We're dropping NEEDOH for first Thursday!
The Needoh will drop at 4:00, line will start at the back door through the breezeway.
We will issue tickets to line holders.
Limit four total per customer, with no more than one per style.
In addition to everyone's favorite squishy, we'll have 10% off all art supplies all day!
Our coloring station will be set up with super hero masks to color and help your little ones get ready for the Boise Comic Arts Festival!
The Funky Taco
801 W Bannock St • (208) 488-4593
Music Food & Beverage
Once a month on the first Thursday, the vibrant and eclectic space at The Funky Taco comes alive with an exciting evening of live music featuring the Dean Jennings Jazz Quartet. Pair their signature creative tacos and incredible plant-based fare with our unique form of jazz for a guaranteed unforgettable performance every time we take the stage.
Please check The Funky Taco's Facebook page for upcoming dates and specific event details!
Suite 104
280 N 8th St •
Music Food & Beverage
Suite 104 is a lively and welcoming cocktail lounge in the heart of downtown Boise, serving up thoughtfully crafted cocktails, beer, and wine in a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere. Happy Hour discounts are extended till the end of the night every First Thursday from 7–11pm! Hosted by local country music band leader Jace Kempke! Everyone 21+ is welcome, anyone can sign up to sing, and everyone is invited to come listen, drink, and enjoy!
Trillium Restaurant
245 S Capitol Blvd • 208-333-8002
Food & Beverage
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!
City Hall Plaza
150 N Capitol Blvd • (208) 384-4422
Shop Food & Beverage Kid-Friendly
We bring the Farmers Market to you! Every Thursday from 1 to 3:30, come and shop for all of the freshest local produce, meat, cheese, and bread at City Hall.
The Mobile Market is a partnership between City of Good and the Boise Farmers Market that strives to provide radical access to fresh, local food for all of our neighbors. We offer an entirely Choose-What-You-Pay model, which means that everyone is invited. The Mobile Market is for you!
Hemlock
500 S Capitol Blvd •
Food & Beverage Activity
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
Cactus Bar
517 W Main St • (208) 342-9732
Activity
Free to play Bingo. Prizes and drink specials following the event. from 7 to 9 pm ish
Voodoo Cellar Boise
200 N Capitol Blvd • 2089180881
Food & Beverage
$5 Craft Beer Flights Every First Thursday!