Also we are starting something new: Happy Hour Club. This will be the same format as Dinner Club with 6 people to a table. The difference is you will meet for drinks and apps, it will be earlier in the evening, and there will be no after party (unless you think otherwise??).
I'm stuck on the start time of Happy Hour Club. If this is something you would be interested in, please vote below👇
​Confluence Market: A Hyde Park Night Market is happening at Sagebrush Collaborative from 5–9pm. It's a neighborhood night market with handmade vendors, DIY booths, live music, a MT Crate Coffee pop-up, and a featured nonprofit. Dogs and other critters always welcome. It's free!
Saturday, May 2
​Maypole Market is happening at TRICA from 10am–1pm. It's a children-led farmers market with kid vendors, interactive craft stations, face painting, balloon artistry, maypole dance instruction, and local food trucks. It's free to attend!
​The Shop opened its storefront at 104 S Capitol Blvd, STE 100 yesterday. It’s a reimagined general store where every product earns its place based on its story, ingredients, and design — think good for people, better for the planet. Go check it out!
credit The Shop
SPONSORED BY BOISE CITY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS & HISTORY
A night of student art, human rights, and live music at JUMP
K–12 students from across Idaho have created original performance, writing, and visual art in response to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and this is the night they get celebrated for it.
Doors open at 5pm with a student art showcase and nonprofit fair. The awards ceremony kicks off at 6:30pm and Boise Rock School closes out the night at 7:30pm. It's free, it's joyful, and it’s a great reminder of what this community is capable of. This event is part of the City of Boise’s America 250 celebration.
​Faces of Courage Benefit Gala is happening at Boise Centre West from 5:30–9pm. It's a fundraiser for Faces of Hope, featuring cocktail hour, dinner, and Gabby Petito's parents as guest speakers sharing their journey as domestic violence prevention advocates. Tix are $150, or a bundle of four for $550.
​The Cabin's Literary Trivia Night is happening at White Dog Brewing from 7–8pm. Trivia will cover fiction, nonfiction, sci-fi, fantasy, romantasy, and classic lit, with prizes including books, swag, and free passes to future Cabin events. Tix are $50 per team.
Friday, May 1
​Homeschool Day: United We Celebrate is happening at the Idaho State Museum from 10am–3pm. It's a learning day for homeschool families tied to America's 250th birthday, with crafts, mosaics, sun catchers, and a temporary exhibit on the traditions that bring the country together. Tix are $4 per student and $5 per adult; ISHS members are free. Preregistration required.
​The Stiletto Speakeasy is happening at Liquid Laughs from 9–10:30pm. It's an intimate burlesque show inspired by the roaring '20s, featuring performances by Venus Venom, Ooo Da Lolli, Sonny Stamen, and Muff Jones, hosted by comedian Krystal Moore. Dress your best and bring a trinket to exchange at the door. Tix start at $20. 21+
Friday, May 1 – Saturday, May 31
​The Fairy and Gnome Home Exhibit is back at the Idaho Botanical Garden for the month of May. It's a whimsical outdoor exhibit, featuring dozens of tiny handmade fairy and gnome homes crafted by Idaho artists, families, and young makers. Costumes encouraged! The opening day celebration is Saturday, May 2, with live music, themed drinks, hands-on activities for kids, and costumes of all kinds welcome.
Saturday, May 2
​Art in Bloom is happening at Art Source Gallery in the Linen District from 10am–2pm. Local artists guide you through ceramics, decoupage, floral bouquet making, and painted Mother's Day cards. Great for all ages and perfect for a homemade gift. Most activities are free; a $5–$10 supply fee applies for ceramic and flower projects.
​Spring Fling at Ease is happening from 10am–2pm. It's a low-key grand opening celebration for Ease, a cutie slow fashion shop ease at 108 N. Latah St on the Boise Bench. Curbside Bookstore is doing a pop up, and there's a $15 DIY necklace bar and free samples. Check it out!
​Youth Day at the Erma Hayman House is happening from 11am–1pm. It's a free, drop-in event for kids and families centered on creativity, storytelling, and hands-on exploration at one of Boise's most significant historic homes. It's free!
​Boise Meridian Initial Point Celebration: Surveying the Past, Mapping the Future is happening at the Old Idaho Penitentiary from 12–5pm. It's a family-friendly event marking the 1867 origin point of Idaho's entire land survey system, with hands-on surveying demos, history exhibits, lectures, and vendor booths. Tix are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for kids 6–12, and free for kids under 6 and Historical Society members. Sounds so interesting!
​Schick-Ostolasa Farmstead Opening Day is happening from 12:30–4:30pm. It's the season opener for this historic Boise farmstead, with the Fort Boise Garrison demonstrating 1800s valley life, a seed planting workshop, a blacksmith in action, and more. It's free but donations are gladly accepted!
​Discover the Secret Life of Rocks is happening at the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology from 1–2pm. It's a geology workshop for kids 7+ covering rock classifications, mineral identification, UV fluorescence, and a mystery floating rock demo. Tix are $5 for nonmembers; free for members and kids.
The Bishop’s House is hosting a Kentucky Derby Viewing Party from 2-6pm. Dust off your statement hats, polish your silver cups, and get ready for a day of high-stakes thrills and Southern hospitality. They will be serving up ice-cold Mint Juleps, gourmet race-day bites, and will have every heart-pounding second of the action on the big screens. Tix are $50 and it’s 21+.
​Star Wars Day Marathon is happening at the Idaho Film Society from 2–9pm. Star Wars at 2pm, The Empire Strikes Back at 4pm, and Return of the Jedi at 6pm. Tix are $11.32 per film or $30 for a day pass.
​Athletic Club Boise is facing off against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC at the Stadium at Expo Idaho. Kickoff at 7pm and gates open at 5pm. Wear your green, black, and white. Tix are $75.
Sunday, May 3
​Project Flux: Perspectives is happening at Lost Grove Brewing (La Pointe) from 2–3pm. It's a works-in-progress showcase where Boise performing artists share what they're making. This edition features music by Sove the Second, comedy sketches by Spokes, and dancing by Project Flux, with time for audience Q&A. It's free!
Tuesday, May 5
​Idaho Watercolor Society is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and will have artwork on display at the Riverside Hotel. The free exhibition celebrating the society's founding members, showing alongside the IWS Annual Juried Show. See it anytime May - July 6.
​Wild Hearts on Film is happening at Lost Grove Brewing (La Pointe) from 5:30–9:30pm. It's a free film festival planned entirely by the teenage leaders of Wild Hearts Idaho, featuring films about women thriving in outdoor sports — plus a film the girls produced themselves. Beer purchases at the outdoor bar go directly back to the organization. It's free!
Downtown Caldwell is celebrating ​Cinco de Mayo​ from 5–9pm at Indian Creek Plaza. There will be live performances from Tejano Outlaw, Nueva Generacion 2000, and Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo, plus a Taco Truck Taste Off. You can also shop handcrafted goods, art, and clothing from local vendors. It’s free and all ages.
Wednesday, May 6
​Rediscovered Books Grown-Up Book Fair​ is back at Payette Brewing from 4–7pm. It’s a nostalgic spin on the classic school book fair, but with drinks. Grab a beer and browse a curated mix of reads and unique goodies. It’s free to attend.
Next Thursday, May 7 – Saturday, May 9
​To Taste Life Twice Writing Seminar is happening at The Community Library in Ketchum. It's a three-day literary seminar hosted by Story Forward and The Community Library, featuring workshops, readings, and craft conversations with Idaho writers, including keynote speakers Kim Barnes and Robert Wrigley. The opening keynote kicks off Thursday at 5:30pm; workshops run Friday and Saturday and require registration. It's all free.
The Fairy and Gnome Home Exhibit at Idaho Botanical Garden, credit Idaho Botanical Garden
Food finds & things to drink
Saturday, May 2
The ​Boise Vegan Market​ is back for its sixth market at Common Ground Coffee & Market (6419 W Ustick Rd) from 12–3pm. There’s 20+ local bakers, artists, vintage clothing sellers, and more.
​Mexican Wine Social with Jose is happening at House of Wine from 6–7:30pm. It's a casual, flow-through tasting of four Mexican wines led by Retail Manager Jose. Come and go as you please, learn something new, and maybe grab a bottle for dinner.
Comedy & theater
Thursday, April 30 – Saturday, May 2
Comedian Nick Griffin is performing at Lounge Boise for three nights. All shows are at 7pm. He's a NYC Comedy Cellar regular who's appeared on Letterman eleven times and has credits on Conan, Fallon, and Colbert. Tix start at $25.
Thursday, April 30 – Saturday, May 9
​AJAXby Habib Yazdi is playing at Boise Contemporary Theater, with performances through May 9. It's a world premiere dark comedy set poolside in 1953 Tehran, following a gardener who gets tangled up in the CIA-backed coup that changed the course of Middle Eastern history. Tix are $32.
Thursday, April 30 – Saturday, May 10
​Drunk Shakespeare is playing at Boise Little Theater through May 10. It's a blackbox production where five actors perform a Shakespeare classic, except one of them does five shots before the curtain goes up.
Friday, May 1
​The PunchLine-Up Comedy Show is happening at Voodoo Cellar from 8–9:30pm. Boise comics bring sharp punchlines and high-energy chaos to the cellar. Tix are 12.51 and it's 21+.
Saturday, May 2
​Not To B!tch: A Stand Up Comedy Rant Show is happening at Liquid Lounge from 8–9:45pm. Comedians take the stage to hilariously dissect the absurdities of everyday life. Tix are $20.
​GOLD RUSH Comedy Show is happening at Inspiration Alley from 8–10pm (doors at 7:30pm). It's a one-night stand-up showcase featuring three nationally touring comics — Boise native Neeraj Srinivasan returning home from Chicago, Sohrab Farouzesh, and Tory Ward — for a night of sharp, weird, high-energy comedy. Tix are $23.
Tunes & shows
Thursday, April 30
​Dead Meadow at Shrine Social Club (psychedelic stoner rock)
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