Boise's Best Events and Activities for New Residents: Your 2025 Fun Guide

Ozzie Ozkay-Villa
May 10
3 min read

Updated: Jun 4

New to Town? Here Are the Best Events & Activities for New Boise Residents

So you just landed in Boise—welcome to the City of Trees! 🌲 Whether you moved for the mountains, the charm, or just needed a fresh start, you’re probably wondering… “What do people even do here?” Don't worry, I’ve got you covered.

As a local Realtor, mom, and Community Builder, I’ve pulled together some can’t-miss activities and local events to help you settle in, make friends, and start living your best Boise life.

First Thursday + Saturday Market Vibes

When: First Thursday each month & Saturdays (April–October)

Where: Downtown Boise

Downtown Boise is where the community magic happens. Start with First Thursday, a monthly mini festival of local art, live music, food tastings, pop-ups, and boutique shopping. Then keep the good vibes going on Saturday mornings with the Boise Farmers Market or Capital City Public Market—both bursting with local produce, artisan goodies, baked treats, and great people-watching.

🛍️ Boise Bohemian Tip: Grab a lavender lemonade and explore 8th Street. You’ll stumble on your new favorite coffee shop or boutique in no time.

Float the Boise River

When: June through August

Where: Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park

Floating the river is basically Boise’s love language. ☀️ It’s a calm, two-hour ride that winds through the heart of the city, shaded by trees and filled with sunshine (and the occasional splash). Bring your own raft or rent one at Barber Park—just don’t forget the sunscreen, snacks, and water shoes!

🌊 Pro Tip: Weekdays are quieter, and bonus points for bringing a waterproof speaker for river tunes.

Treefort Music Fest (and Friends!)

When: Every March

Where: Downtown Boise

Boise’s most iconic event, Treefort is like 10 festivals rolled into one. Sure, there’s amazing indie music, but also comedy, yoga, food, drag shows, tech panels, film screenings, and even a Kidfort for the littles. Downtown transforms into a creative playground for five days, and trust me—you want to be a part of it.

🎟️ Local Love: Keep an eye out for mini spin-offs like Alefort, Yogafort, and Storyfort year-round.

Alive After Five

When: Wednesday evenings, June–August

Where: The Grove Plaza, Downtown Boise

This midweek party is one of Boise’s favorite summer traditions. Alive After Five brings free outdoor concerts to The Grove every Wednesday evening with rotating bands, beer gardens, and food vendors. It’s the perfect way to unwind, dance a little, and feel part of the downtown buzz.

🎸 Good Vibes Only: Bring a camp chair and enjoy the golden hour with new friends and cold drinks.

Western Idaho Fair

When: Mid–Late August

Where: Expo Idaho

It’s big, it’s classic, it’s all-American fun. From carnival rides and rodeo shows to funnel cakes and live music, the Western Idaho Fair is a late-summer staple. It’s also a great way to soak in Idaho culture—from prize-winning goats to blue-ribbon pies.

🎡 Family Fun Alert: Bring the kiddos or go for date night—it’s a total win either way.

Savor Idaho

When: June

Where: Idaho Botanical Garden

This is wine country, baby! Savor Idaho is one of the state's top wine and food events, set in the lush Idaho Botanical Garden. You’ll sip and sample your way through local wineries, cideries, and restaurants while soaking up some serious summer vibes.

🥂 Sip & Stroll: Tickets sell out fast, so grab yours early and wear comfy shoes—this is a grazing kind of day!

Winter Garden aGlow

When: Late November through December

Where: Idaho Botanical Garden

For a little holiday magic, Winter Garden aGlow turns the Idaho Botanical Garden into a glittering wonderland. Stroll under millions of twinkling lights, warm up with hot cocoa, and take in the festive cheer. It’s straight out of a Hallmark movie—minus the snowstorm drama.

🎄 Magical Must-See: Great for date night or a cozy family evening.

Boise Bohemian Pop-Up Open Houses

When: All year long

Where: All over Boise!

If you love real estate and community (hi, me too), don’t miss my Boise Bohemian Open House Pop-Ups! Think: beautiful homes + local vendors + music + snacks + fun people. Whether you're ready to buy or just exploring neighborhoods, it’s a great way to get a feel for Boise’s personality.

✨ Want in? Follow @boibohemian or shoot me a DM and I’ll make sure you get the inside scoop.

Ready to Feel at Home in Boise? 💛

Hey, I’m Ozzie—your community Realtor, local connector, and founder of Boise Bohemian. Whether you're here to stay or still getting your feet wet, I’d love to help you fall in love with this place.