Plan Ahead: Things to do in Boise in July
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This cozy rainy weather sure doesn't feel like it, but it's almost July! Here's a bunch of fun things to do in Boise to fill your calendar: July 1-11: Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson — Apt. 2B at Idaho Shakespeare FestivalMs. Holmes & Ms. Watson — Apt. 2B is running at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater through July 11. It's a clever, witty reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes stories with two women at the center. The perfect summer night out at one of Boise's most beloved outdoor venues. Tix vary depending on seating. July 1: God & Country Family FestivalGod & Country Family Festival is happening at the Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa on Wednesday, July 1. Gates open at 5:30pm, with the festival running 6:30–10:30pm and fireworks at 10:15pm. It’s a free outdoor celebration featuring Christian bands, military appreciation, civic awards, and one of the valley’s biggest fireworks shows — and it’s in its 60th year. It’s free! (Parking is $5.) July 4: Boise Fourth of July ParadeThe Idaho America250 4th of July Parade is happening along Capitol Blvd starting at 10am. It's Boise's signature Independence Day parade, featuring a Patriotic Pet Parade at 9am and live broadcast on CBS2/Fox9 and Idaho Public TV. It's free! July 4: Idaho A250 Capitol CelebrationThe Idaho A250 Capitol Celebration is happening at Cecil D. Andrus Park and the Capitol steps from 11:30am–3pm. It's a free outdoor concert and community celebration featuring Josh Ritter, the Afrosonics, Jeff Crosby, Chad Marvin and EllieMae, and the 25th Army Band. It's free! July 4: Boise Fourth of July FireworksThe City of Boise Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration is happening at Ann Morrison Park from 6–11pm. There's a Boise Philharmonic concert at 9pm, a patriotic drone light show at 10:15pm, and a fireworks finale at 10:30pm synced to 107.1 Hank FM. It's free! July 4: Meridian Independence Day FestivalMeridian Independence Day Festival is happening at Storey Park from 4pm–10:30pm. Food trucks, live music, and a fireworks display launched from Meridian Speedway at around 10:20pm. It's free! July 4: Caldwell Independence Day CelebrationCaldwell Independence Day Celebration is happening at Memorial Park and Brothers Athletic Park throughout the day. There's a 9am downtown parade, a classic car show, an armed medieval combat showcase, and fireworks at dusk at Brothers Athletic Park. It's free! July 4: Kuna Fourth of July CelebrationKuna 4th of July America250 Celebration is happening at Bernie Fisher Park from 6–11pm. There are 17 food trucks, a DJ, a 21+ drinking area, and fireworks launching near the 2nd Street baseball fields at 10:15pm. It's free! July 4: Star Hometown CelebrationStar Hometown Celebration is happening at Hunters Creek Park throughout the day. There's a 10am parade on W State Street, a live concert by Kill-A-Brew starting around 7:30pm, and a fireworks show at around 10:15pm. It's free! July 4: Middleton 4th of July CelebrationMiddleton 4th of July Celebration is happening at Middleton Place Park and along Main Street throughout the day. There's a Show & Shine car show starting at 9am, a parade at 11am, live music, and fireworks at dusk at Foote Park. It's free! July 4: Melba Olde Tyme 4th of JulyMelba Olde Tyme 4th of July is happening throughout Melba starting at 7am. There's a fun run, parade at 10:30am, antique tractor pull, car show, and fireworks at dusk synced to 101.9FM The Bull. It's free! July 11: Boise Twilight CriteriumBoise Twilight Criterium is happening in downtown Boise on Saturday, July 11. It's a professional cycling race series and community event. There's a Kids Ride with three-time Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong at 11am, a Fan EXPO opening at 1pm, and multiple professional cycling races throughout the day and into the evening. It’s the 39th year of this iconic race and the fourth stop on the national American Criterium Cup series, where elite women’s and men’s cyclists compete for a share of a $500,000 prize purse on Boise’s tight downtown circuit. It’s free to watch! My favorite viewing place is the corners - so intense! July 11: Rosé FestRosé Fest at Parcero Wine Bar is happening on Saturday, July 11 from 2–8pm at Parcero Wine Bar. It's an open-house style tasting featuring 27+ rosés from around the world. There's a curated food menu and a food truck on-site. Every guest gets a commemorative Parcero glass to take home. Tix are $49 GA or $85 VIP (only 25 available). This event tends to sell out, so grab your ticket early. 21+ July 11: Running of the BarsRunning of the Bars is happening on the Basque Block in downtown Boise on Saturday, July 11 from 5–10pm. It's a San Fermin-inspired pub crawl through bars like the Basque Center, Leku Ona, Tom Grainey's, Cactus, Pengilly's, and Silly Birch. Wear your whites with red belts and scarves, tackle a fun activity at each stop, and finish the night back on the Block dancing with Kalimotxo Cowboys. It's a fundraiser for the Basque Museum & Cultural Center. Tix are $30 at the door. 21+ July 11: Paranormal Investigation at the Old Idaho PenitentiaryParanormal Investigation is happening at the Old Idaho Penitentiary on Saturday, July 11 from 9:15pm–2am. Join Big River Paranormal as they use specialized equipment to attempt to connect with the prisoners and guards of the past. Tix are $45. 13+ July 11: DarknessCon BoiseDarknessCon Boise is happening at Expo Idaho. It's the 6th annual celebration of all things horror, haunts, and pop culture. Expect a full day of vendors, artists, immersive workshops, panels, a film festival, and hands-on make & takes. There's also a Zombie Prom from 9pm–midnight with DJ Andrew Pearson spinning darkwave and industrial all night. Tix are $15 (Adult Day Pass) or $25 (All-Day Pass including Zombie Prom). Kids 5 and under are free; ages 6–11 are $5. Zombie Prom is 18+. July 13: Story Story Night: Road TripStory Story Night is happening at the Old Idaho Penitentiary on Monday, July 13; doors at 7pm and show at 8pm. It's Boise's beloved live storytelling series, and this edition's theme is Road Trip. Three storytellers sharing real, personal tales of heartbreak, lost keys, and lessons learned on the Camino. Bring a blanket or low-back chair. Tix are $23. 18+. July 13 & July 27: Hummingbird Banding at Bogus BasinHummingbird Banding at Bogus Basin is happening at the Frontier Point Lodge at Bogus Basin on July 13 and July 27 from 7–11am. Join the Intermountain Bird Observatory as their trained biologists band, measure, and release wild hummingbirds. If you're lucky, you might get to hold one for release! Drop in any time, but arrive before 9am for the most action. It's free! July 14: Sometime This Century: A Time Travellers BallSometime This Century: A Time Travellers Ball is happening at Oldspeak in Garden City at 7pm. It's a festive evening celebrating the release of local author Samantha Silva's new Regency-era time travel novel with dancing, drinks, hors d'oeuvres, a reading by the author, and costumes from any era strongly encouraged. This one sold out last time, so don't wait. Tix are $33.85. July 16: From Boise Dinner ClubFrom Boise Dinner Club is back on Thursday, July 16 at 6:30pm somewhere in downtown Boise. Fill out a lil quiz, get matched with six strangers for dinner at a local restaurant and then enjoy an after party with the whole group. Tix are $16. Book your seat here. July 17: Museum After Dark: RevolutionALEMuseum After Dark: RevolutionALE is happening at the Idaho State Museum from 6:30–9pm. It’s an America 250-themed evening celebrating the role beer played in early American life, with live brewing and printing press demonstrations, live music, food, and hands-on activities throughout the museum. Tix are $30 (ISHS members $27). 21+ July 17-31: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Idaho Shakespeare FestivalSweeney Todd opens at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater on July 17 and goes through the 31st. Sondheim's dark, thrilling musical about a vengeful barber and his very questionable meat pies. Tix vary depending on seating. July 23–26: Canyon County FairThe Canyon County Fair is happening at the Canyon County Fairgrounds (111 S. 22nd Ave.) in Caldwell, Thursday through Sunday, July 23–26. It’s a classic fair with carnival rides, livestock shows, a petting zoo, a beer garden, and free concerts with fair admission featuring Jo Dee Messina (July 23), Kansas (July 24), and Clay Walker & Sawyer Brown (July 25). Fair admission required; concerts are free with entry. July 25: IRONMAN 70.3 BoiseIRONMAN 70.3 Boise is happening on Saturday, July 25, starting with a 1.2-mile swim at Lucky Peak Reservoir, followed by a 56-mile bike into the city and a 13.1-mile run finishing on the Boise River Greenbelt downtown. It’s one of the most scenic IRONMAN courses in the country, and the finish line energy downtown is worth showing up for even if you’re just spectating. Free to watch! July 25: Idaho Island FestivalThe 3rd annual Idaho Island Festival is happening at Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian on Saturday, July 25 from 10:30am–9pm. It's a full day of Polynesian culture featuring live music, dancing, a fire knife show, hands-on cultural experiences, vendors, and lots of food. It's free to attend! July 25: Sockeye Brewing 30th Anniversary ConcertSockeye Brewing 30th Anniversary Concert is happening at Memorial Stadium in Garden City at 4:30pm. It’s a three-band celebration featuring School of Rock, High Pine Whiskey Yell, and Queen Legacy tribute band - all with Sockeye beer on tap all night long. Tix are $45 GA or $65 VIP. July 31–August 2: San InazioSan Inazio Festival is happening on the Basque Block on Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2. It’s Boise’s annual celebration of Basque culture featuring street dances, pala games, live music, kalimotxos, and Basque food. It’s free and super fun! Summer MarketsSaturdays
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Summer Live Music SeriesBogus Basin Music on the MountainBogus Basin's Music on the Mountain is kicking off in July with two shows on July 11 and 25. These are totally free, very family-friendly, and super fun! Bring a blanket, low chairs, snacks, and a canopy if you want some shade. It's usually about 10 degrees cooler up on the mountain compared to the valley. It's lovely. There's food and drink available for purchase, plus hiking/biking trails, and kid's activities.
Big Al’s Live on the PatioLive on the Patio happens Fridays & Saturdays from 7–10pm at Big Al’s Meridian. There’s also free line dancing lessons every Friday 6–7pm.
Connections Credit Union Kleiner Park LiveKleiner Park Live happens Fridays from 7–9pm at Kleiner Park Bandshell in Meridian. Free! Here's the July shows:
Alive After 5Alive After 5 has shows on Wednesdays from 5–8pm on the The Grove Plaza in downtown Boise. It’s free!
Neighborhood Concert SeriesNeighborhood Concert Series are free shows hosted in different neighborhood parks throughout the summer. Here's the July shows:
Star Summer Concert SeriesStar Summer Concert Series happens at Star Riverhouse (960 S Main Street) in Star from 7–9pm. Here's the July shows:
Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical GardenOutlaw Field shows happens throughout the summer at the Idaho Botanical Garden on random dates. See the full schedule here. Here's the July shows:
Summer Movie SeriesFree outdoor movies are happening across the valley this month. Here's the schedule: July 10:
July 24:
Have fun out there! Thanks for reading! With love from Boise, Marissa If you’re interested in getting your product, service, or event in front of 25k Boise locals → book a call |
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