Holiday Events and Things to Do in Boise, Idaho
This post has been updated for 2023!
The holiday season in Boise, Idaho, is a magical time of year! It is chock full of fun events and other things to do with your family and/or friends. There is something for everyone, whether you want to do a little holiday shopping (with local small businesses), check out pretty holiday lights, attend concerts featuring your favorite Christmas music, hang out with Santa Claus, and more! All of these events are family-friendly and perfect for the kids in your life. Adults will find them fun, too, of course! 😉
Below, I shared a comprehensive list of over 20 holiday events and other things to do in and around Boise. I also included a section at the beginning all about where you can find the best Christmas lights in Boise. Grab a hot chocolate and use this guide to make a game plan for your holiday season in the Treasure Valley!
Holiday Events and Things to Do in Boise, Idaho
Where to See Christmas Lights in Boise, Idaho
One of the most fun things to do during the holiday season is to cozy up in the car with sweet treats and hot drinks and head out to see Christmas light displays! There are so many places to see Christmas lights in Boise and also in the neighboring cities in the Treasure Valley. Here are the best places to see Christmas lights! Some are drive-by displays and others must be fully experienced on foot.
Scentsy Commons Christmas Lights
Friday, November 10 (Official Lighting Ceremony)—Monday, January 15
Scentsy headquarters in Meridian decks out their grounds with almost a million Christmas lights, including their fun, signature light tunnel! Check out their official lighting ceremony on November 10th and grab a bite to eat from a food truck, or visit any night from sunset to sunrise through mid-January to see the lights.
The Village at Meridian
Thursday, November 16 (Tree Lighting); Saturday, November 11—Monday, January 15 (Ice Skating); Friday, November 17—Sunday, December 24 (Santa Photos)
The Village at Meridian is a popular shopping destination in Meridian off of Eagle Road that also looks festive for the holiday season. From 6 to 7 pm, check out the tree lighting ceremony in Fountain Square. Santa will be available for photos through December, and you can even get pet photos with Santa on Mondays from 4 to 8 pm starting on Monday, November 20! Reserve Santa experiences here.
Christmas in Color at Expo Idaho
Friday, November 24—Saturday, December 30 (except Christmas Day)
Christmas in Color is a drive-through animated Christmas light display set up in the parking lot at Expo Idaho. Kiddos love this one! The lights are timed to music played through the radio. The display is up until New Year’s Day, and after Christmas they update the display for the new year with new music. Make your reservation and get your tickets here!
Winter Wonderland at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell
Friday, November 17—Sunday, November 19 (Opening Weekend)—Monday, January 8
Check out over a million Christmas lights adorning Indian Creek Plaza in downtown Caldwell, a city west of Boise. During opening weekend from 6 to 9 pm, you can shop local vendors, visit Santa, enjoy food trucks, and ice skate! Ice skating opens Friday, November 17 at the Indian Creek Plaza rink and ribbon.
Winter Garden aGlow at Idaho Botanical Garden
Thursday, November 23—Sunday, December 31 (Wednesdays—Sundays)
One of the most popular Christmas light displays in the valley is at the Idaho Botanical Garden: Winter Garden aGlow! Grab a free cookie and hot chocolate and wander around the gardens that are decorated in over half a million lights. Santa is there on select nights, and local school choirs also make an appearance on select nights. Be sure to dress WARM. Make your reservation and get your tickets here!
Holiday Tree Lighting at the Grove Plaza
Monday, November 13 (Giving Tree: Tuesday, November 28—Saturday, December 16)
From 7 to 8 pm, join the Mayor at the Grove Plaza for the lighting of the 35-foot Christmas tree! Don’t forget to wander around downtown to check out the other holiday lights adorning the streets and streetlights. Garland surrounding the tree will feature gift tags with wish list items from the Women’s and Children’s Alliance.
Idaho State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting
Thursday, November 30
Starting around 5 pm, join the Governor and First Lady for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol in downtown Boise. The tree will be cut and moved on Monday, November 20th.
Residential Christmas light displays and driving routes via Boise Christmas Lights
Some Treasure Valley residents go all out on their displays, and many time their lights to music! Boise Christmas Lights compiles all of the major displays into one place and also shares driving routes so you can hit a bunch in one night. Check them out here!
READ NEXT: 20 Things to Do in Boise in the Winter
Family-friendly Holiday Events in and around Boise, Idaho
Holiday Party at L.A. Junk Antiques
Friday, November 10—Saturday, November 11 • Browse antiques at L.A. Junk Antiques located on the Bench in Boise! The whole place will be decorated for Christmas. Enjoy treats and adult beverages around a fire.
Mixed Greens Holiday Open House
Sunday, November 12 • Mixed Greens is a really fun, kitschy store located in downtown Boise with all the gifts your heart desires. At their holiday open house from 11 am to 4 pm, enjoy 25% off everything, plus bring a coat for the coat drive to be entered to win a gift card. Free gift wrap is also available.
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Egyptian Theater
Tuesday, November 14 • Watch an international cast of ballet dancers bring the classic Christmas ballet to life at the Egyptian Theater in downtown Boise complete with custom costumes and a custom set! Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Wintry Market at Boise Centre on the Grove
Friday, November 17—Saturday, November 18 • Over 100 artists from around the region come to downtown Boise to showcase their creations at this holiday bazaar! Shop affordable, unique gifts from 4 to 9 pm on Friday and from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Holiday Bazaar at Dick Eardley Senior Center
Saturday, November 18 • The City of Boise has hosted this free annual holiday bazaar at the senior center near Fort Boise for over 40 years! Check off your holiday shopping list during the event from 10 am to 2 pm that features local makers. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
FESTIVAL OF TREES at Boise Centre on the Grove
Tuesday, November 21—Monday, November 27 • A Boise holiday mainstay, the Festival Trees is a fundraising event for the Saint Alphonsus Health System. Check out the number of beautifully decorated trees by a variety of local businesses and groups as well as a plethora of other family-friendly events happening throughout the week, including Santa appearances and performances by local choirs and dancers. There’s a gala on Tuesday the 21st and fashion show on Monday the 27th (tickets sold separately). Learn more and purchase tickets here.
A Christmas Carol and Christmas II by Boise Little Theater
Friday, November 24—Saturday, December 16 (15 shows over the weekends) • Enjoy A Christmas Carol performed by the Boise Little Theater, a long-standing community theater. This show is perfect for all ages! They’re also offering a late night adults-only comedy show called Christmas II: It’s a Wonderful Nativity. The venue is located at Fort Boise. Purchase tickets for either show here.
Holiday Market at The Warehouse
Saturday, November 25 • From 10:30 am to 6 pm on Small Business Saturday, shop local vendors, enjoy live music, and find more holiday fun at the new food hall, The Warehouse, located at BoDo in downtown Boise.
Boise Christmas Show at Expo Idaho
Friday, December 1—Sunday, December 3 • Check out hundreds of vendors offering thousands of Christmas items, decor, and gifts from 11 am to 7 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday! You also have the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets required and available at the door.
Holiday Parade through Downtown Boise
Saturday, December 2 • Grab the family, bundle up, and head downtown for the annual Holiday Parade! The parade route starts at 10th and Bannock, and the whole thing kicks off at 10 am. Learn more and check out the full parade route here.
Buy Idaho Holiday Market at Capital City Public Market
Saturday, December 2 • Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the Buy Idaho Holiday Market held in conjunction with the Capital City Public Market at the Grove Plaza in downtown Boise. Shop local vendors offering made-in-Idaho products from 8 am to 2 pm.
Holiday Pop-up Market at Payette Brewing
Saturday, December 2 • Support over 20 local vendors and enjoy food truck fare at the holiday pop-up market at Payette Brewing in downtown Boise. The market goes from 12 to 6 pm; enjoy live music from 1 to 6 pm.
Eagle Country Christmas
Saturday, December 2 • At Heritage Park in Eagle, a city just northwest of Boise, enjoy a plethora of family-friendly holiday festivities from 1 to 6 pm. Shop the holiday market, listen to live music, take photos with Santa, and partake in many holiday activities for kiddos! Donate winter wear that will go towards the Boise Rescue Mission.
Handmade Idaho Holiday Market at El Korah Shrine
Saturday, December 2—Sunday, December 3 • Shop a selection of handmade products by over 50 local artists and makers over first weekend in December (10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday). Admission is free. The preview event on Friday, December 1 from 6 to 8 pm requires a ticket. Want to shop early? Purchase a preview ticket here.
Heartfelt Holiday Haus at SkinOwl
Saturday, December 2—Sunday, December 3 • SkinOwl is a local skincare company located in southeast Boise with some of the best products and people! Shop a variety of gifts by other local makers, enjoy yummy treats, and be pampered. The event runs from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday and from 12 to 5 pm on Sunday.
Eguberriko Azoka (Basque Christmas Market)
Sunday, December 3 • Head to the Basque Block in downtown Boise for the annual Christmas market featuring local vendors, food and drink options, and activities for the kiddos! The market runs from 11 am to 4 pm.
BSU Dept. of Music Family Holiday Concert at the Morrison Center
Thursday, December 7 • The Boise State University Department of Music is hosting its annual Family Holiday Concert at 7:30 pm! Hear your favorite holiday music performed by talented students. All ticket proceeds go towards scholarships for BSU music students. Purchase tickets here.
Holiday Pop-up Markets at Barbarian Brewing
Thursday, December 7 and December 14 • Head to the Barbarian Brewing Beer Bar in downtown Boise from 5 to 8 pm on TWO Thursdays in December to wrap up your list by shopping local vendors offering handmade items. Beer and mulled wine is available for purchase. This is a 21 and over event—perfect for parents! Enjoy food truck fare and live music from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Holiday Pops by the Boise Philharmonic at the Morrison Center
Saturday, December 9 • Join local singer Curtis Stigers and the Boise Philharmonic classical symphony orchestra for one of two shows (1 pm or 7:30 pm) featuring a selection of holiday music you’ll love! Check out the program and purchase tickets here.
Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise
Saturday, December 9 and Saturday, December 16 • From 8:30 to 10 am on two Saturdays in December, bundle up the kiddos and head to the zoo to enjoy a buffet breakfast with Santa! There’s also kids crafts and an animal experience. Photos with Santa must be purchased in advance. You’re free to explore the zoo afterward! Register here.
Winter Wonder Village at Idaho State Museum
Thursday, December 14 and December 21 • Celebrate the holiday season with fun activities, holiday music, and crafts at the Winter Wonder Village in the Idaho State Museum. Pioneer Village is all decked out for the holidays! Local vendors will also be there. On Family Night (December 14 from 5 to 8 pm), programming is catered to families and tickets are required. The ticketed event on the 21st (from 5:30 to 8:30 pm) is for those 21+ only and includes a no-host bar. Purchase tickets here.
The Nutcracker by Ballet Idaho at the Morrison Center
Friday, December 15—Sunday, December 17 and Thursday, December 21—Sunday, December 24 • Seeing The Nutcracker ballet live is one of my very favorite holiday traditions! Dress up and head to the Morrison Center for two weekends of shows at a variety of times. Don’t forget to purchase a new nutcracker to add to your collection! Grab your tickets here.
I hope this post helps you find the most fun holiday events and things to do in Boise! There are SO MANY family-friendly holiday festivities taking place throughout November and December, and it’s very possible I missed something! I will continue to update this post as I come across more events. Let me know what your favorite things to do in Boise during the holiday season are down in the comments! 🎄
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