9 Popular Festivals In Boise, Idaho

festivals in boise
Sharadha
Sharadha 
Updated
| 4 min read

The capital of the U.S. state of Idaho sits in the very populated and eventful city of Boise. This city is known for its semi-precious gemstones and potatoes. Boise is also known for its festivals that happen throughout the year. These festivals are not only attended by the residents of the city but also by tourists from across the globe. This city celebrates music, art, food and its rich history. You will get to know about life in this city by simply taking part in these festivals. The festivals showcase the city’s welcoming people and their talents in a great way. Check out our list of popular festivals in Boise, Idaho.

1. Gene Harris Jazz Festival


The Gene Harris Jazz Festival that happens every year in the middle of March in Boise is one of the well-renowned Jazz festivals in USA. A number of talented musicians and a huge number of fans from across the globe visit Boise every year to take part in this infamous Jazz festival. Gene Harris was a popular American jazz pianist who ruled the industry for more than four decades. This music festival dedicated to his name, not only offers entertaining jazz music but also organizes a number of educational activities and student competitions for jazz enthusiasts. Enjoy this lively jazz festival for three days in Boise.

Gene Harris Jazz Festival

Website: Gene Harris Jazz Festival

Takes place: March - April

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2. Art in the Park

Boise Art Museum (2)
Source: Photo by user Tamanoeconomico used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Art in the Park is a festival organized by Boise Art Museum, featuring the works of hundreds of artists from the whole of the United States. This is a three-day festival in the park, and it comprises numerous special features such as children’s art workshops, jazz entertainment, food stalls, sculpture pub and much more. This outdoor art festival is considered as one of the top cultural festivals in the Western USA. You will be able to witness the works of more than 250 featured artists and also participate in art and craft workshops for children and adults of all ages. If you are hungry to experience the creation and display of art under natural light, this is the festival for you.

Art in the Park

Address: 670 Julia Davis Drive, Boise, Idaho 83702

Website: Art in the Park

Takes place: September

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3. Treefort Music Fest

Lizzo at Treefort Music Fest 2017 (34268055971)
Source: Photo by user Treefort Music Fest used under CC BY 2.0

Treefort Music Fest is one of the most-awaited festivals in Boise every year, in which musicians from across the country come up with spectacular shows. This festival takes place for five days in various venues throughout the city. Apart from the euphoric music shows happening all-around Boise, the city will be lit with other interesting activities of the fest such as film screening, storytelling, yoga, kids activities, comedy, food and much more. If you are planning to attend a show at Treefort Music Fest, ensure you are present at the venue at least 90 minutes before the commencement of the show to get the best seats.

Treefort Music Fest

Address: 1100-1198 W Grove St, Boise, ID 83702

Website: Treefort Music Fest

Takes place: March

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4. Idaho Shakespeare Festival


Idaho Shakespeare Festival has been celebrating the works of the great literary legend of all time, on the Boise river banks for more than three decades. During this festival, actors from across the country perform both Shakespearean and non-Shakespearean plays honoring the American Theater world. More than tens of thousands of people gather every year to witness one of the major Shakespeare festivals in the world. To witness Shakespeare’s words come to life on the large Boise amphitheater along with stunning river views is indeed a one-of-a-kind experience in Idaho.

Idaho Shakespeare Festival

Address: 5657 Warm Springs Ave, Boise, ID 83716

Website: Idaho Shakespeare Festival

Takes place: May to September

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5. Bands Brews & BBQ Festival [Last event in 2019]

Posted by BANDS BREWS & BBQ on Wednesday, 18 September 2019

As the name suggests, this festival is all about food, beer and music. You will be drawn to the food stalls by a variety of vendors selling the best BBQ dishes of Idaho. You will also get to sample the latest and unique craft beers fresh out of breweries. Enjoy a whole afternoon of local beer tasting from the best brewers of Boise. More than 30 eateries from the West U.S. compete against each other in this BBQ festival. Enjoy the delicious taste of the best BBQ foods in the country as you enjoy the eclectic music of the participating bands.

Bands Brews & BBQ Festival

Address: 7709 Overland Road, Boise, Idaho 83709, United States

Website: Bands Brews & BBQ Festival

Takes place: September

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6. World Village Fest

Posted by World Village on Sunday, 10 June 2018

World Village Festival is a three-day cultural event that attracts participants from across the world representing different countries, their art and culture. This is a lively event that aims to bring communities and cultures together. As a part of this festival, people are encouraged to get to know their neighbors, their traditions and celebrate art and literature together as one big family. Some of the interesting events in the World Village Fest are film screening, storytelling, musical plays, poetry, and dance. You will also be able to taste the different traditional foods belonging to various cultures in this event.

World Village Fest

Address: Cecil D. Andrus Park, Downtown Boise, Idaho.

Website: World Village Fest

Take place: June

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7. Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic 2018 (6)
Source: Photo by user Tamanoeconomico used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is a free-of-cost hot-air balloon riding event that first began in the year 1991. Every year, a number of locals and tourists gather at the Ann Morrison Park to experience the joy of flying colorful hot-air balloons. The whole place looks lit with colors, lively music and radio commentary. You can witness colorful hot-air balloon flying above the city’s capitol building, parks and other places between the months August and September, in Boise, Idaho.

Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

Address: 827 E. Park Blvd. Ste. #100, Boise, ID 83712

Website: Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

Takes place: August to September

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8. Wintry Market


Just a week before thanksgiving, the whole of Boise gets lit with the Wintry Market festival. During this two-day carnival, you can check out the upscale and innovative artworks that are perfect decorations for your holiday season. You can purchase a lot of indie art and craft items handmade by various regional artists. In this Wintry Market, you will find a number of unique items and it is open to the public. Enjoy shopping for your favorite craft goods to your heart’s content, at the Wintry Market.

Wintry Market

Address: JUMP Boise, 1000 Myrtle St., Boise, ID 83702, United States

Website: Wintry Market

Takes place: November

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9. Boise Music Festival

Ratatat performing in Boise 2009
Source: Photo by user SoggenDazs used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Having recently completed its 10-year anniversary, Boise Music Festival is an annual live music concert event that attracts thousands of people to the Idaho Expo in Boise. Earlier, this Music Festival was open to everyone free of cost and it happened at the infamous Ann Morrison Park. Later, due to increased popularity in the U.S., this festival started featuring popular bands like Pitbull, Backstreet Boys, Train, Joan Jett, MC Hammer and many others. The festival also encourages emerging local bands by providing them an elite platform to showcase their talent.

Boise Music Festival

Address: Expo Idaho, Boise

Website: Boise Music Festival

Takes place: June

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Celebrate culture, food and art

As this town is located on the picturesque setting of the Boise River, it acts as a great picnic spot for many visitors. It is like a double treat when you get to not only enjoy the natural beauty of the place but also be a part of its eventful way of life. Boise is a town that celebrates even trivial pleasures of eating delicious foods. Celebrate your unique culture, food and art with the people around you at these top festivals in Boise, Idaho.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Sharadha is a happy 'paw'rent to beautiful GSDs - Max n Tuffey. At times, when she is not too busy pampering her furry kids, she is trying her best to stay fit, write and travel. She loves...Read more

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