Published November 14th, 2026 by Aaron McFarland

Small Business Saturday lands on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, as always. This year that’s November 28th.

Small Business Saturday is the one day of the year built around supporting locally owned shops and supporting our local economy through spending here rather than out at corporate big box stores. Does it really matter? Yes, yes it does. American Express’s Shop Small research estimates that about two-thirds of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community, in local paychecks, rent, and suppliers. Small businesses make up 98.8% of the businesses in the Boise metro and employ more than half of its workers, so a gift from a downtown bookstore does more for the valley than the same gift from a big-box chain.

Downtown Boise has the biggest concentration of independent businesses in Idaho, and on November 28th its shops run plenty of one-day deals and pop-ups while the holiday parade fills the streets that morning. Out in Nampa, a winter market and the downtown shops lead up to the city’s tree lighting that evening.

Here’s where to shop on Small Business Saturday in Boise and the Treasure Valley, which downtown shops have posted deals so far, and how to plan the day.

The Downtown Boise Association runs Small Business Saturday downtown, and participating shops host specials, promotions, and pop-ups all day. Early 2026 deals include 20% off retail at Boise Art Glass, 10% off the Idaho Art Gallery gift shop, a free Flying M espresso cup when you spend $50 in its gift shop, 20% off gift cards at The STIL, Idaho Christmas cards and vintage holiday decor at Ward Hooper Gallery & Vintage Swank, and complimentary bubbly at House of Wine. Bring the dog to Molly’s Healthy Pet Food Market for Santa Paws photos from 11am – 2pm, with donations going to S.N.A.R.F. Rescue.

Bundle up, get a coffee, and walk around downtown to all of the bookstores, boutiques, record shops, galleries, and candy makers that are all within a few blocks.

Good to Know

The DBA is still adding 2026 participants and deals, so check its Small Business Saturday page the week of. Last year nearly 60 downtown businesses took part. Look for #shopsmallboise on social for shops’ own deals. Downtown Boise gift cards work at a long list of local businesses and make an easy gift for anyone hard to shop for.

Where

Downtown Boise, 8th Street and Main Street

The parade steps off at 10am the same morning, so plan your shopping around it. Grab a spot on the route with a coffee, watch the floats and marching bands, then head straight into the shops when it wraps up around noon.

Good to Know

This year’s theme is “Christmas is for Giving.” Streets along the route close in the morning and reopen around noon, so park south of Main if you’re shopping right after. The night before, the downtown tree lighting on The Grove Plaza runs 5pm – 6pm and opens the Holidays on the Grove vendor sheds, which stay through December.

Where

Downtown Boise along Jefferson Street and Bannock Street.

Downtown’s Saturday market keeps going through the holidays on 8th Street and The Grove Plaza, with local makers, bakers and farmers selling everything from candles and jewelry to honey and hot cider. It’s an easy place to pick up gifts you won’t find in a store.

Hours

Late morning to early afternoon. The market lists 10am – 2pm, and winter hours can shift, so check before you go.

Where

8th Street and The Grove Plaza, Boise

The Boise Farmers Market moves to its winter schedule at the Idaho Botanical Garden for November and December, with local growers, bakers, and food makers. It’s the spot for edible gifts, from jams and sauces to fresh bread for the weekend.

Where

Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise

Downtown Nampa pairs its tree lighting with Shop Small Saturday, so you can shop the downtown stores during the day and stay for the lights. The Winter Wonderland Market fills Lloyd Square Park from 10am – 7pm, free carriage rides run from the depot from 1pm – 4pm (noon – 1pm is set aside for guests with special needs), and Mrs. Claus reads at the Nampa Public Library from 1pm – 1:30pm. The 40-foot white fir outside the historic train depot lights up at 6pm, and Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for photos inside the depot afterward.

Good to Know

Parking is free all day in the downtown garage at 11th Avenue South and 3rd Street South. Carriage rides are first come, first served, and the Salvation Army’s Battle of the Bells hands out free hot chocolate.

Where

Nampa Train Depot, 1200 Front St, Nampa

Downtown’s ParkBOI garages give you the first hour free, then charge $3 an hour, with a $9 daily max on weekends. The garages on Front Street, at 9th and Main, at Capitol and Main, and at Capitol and Myrtle all put you within a few blocks of the shops.

Street meters are enforced on Saturdays from 10am – 5pm, and the first 20 minutes are free when you press the green button. On parade morning, Jefferson and Bannock close until around noon, so the Front Street and Myrtle garages are the easiest in and out.

See downtown parking options on the ParkBOI website

Go early for the best selection, since a lot of the one-day deals are first come, first served. Bring a tote, ask about gift wrapping, and if a shop has a passport or punch card, grab one at your first stop. Spread your list across a few shops instead of one, and stop for lunch or a coffee at a local spot while you’re out. If you can’t make it out on the day, most local shops sell gift cards online, and buying them still keeps the money in Boise. A review or a tagged post with #shopsmallboise costs nothing and helps other shoppers find them.

For shop-by-shop ideas, our Boise Gift Shops Guide sorts local stores by who you’re shopping for, our Boise Holiday Gift Guide has this season’s picks from local shops, and the Guide to the Best Boise Holiday Markets covers the makers markets happening all season.

Featured photo: Travel With Wendy Plummer