Published October 28th, 2026 by Aaron McFarland
November in Boise and the Treasure Valley is the kickoff to the holiday season, so this month gets the supersize treatment, with the Idaho Veterans Parade, Jurassic Quest, the Scentsy Commons lights ceremony, two Festivals of Trees, Candy Cane Lane, the Boise Holiday Parade and downtown Boise’s tree lighting, plus much, much more!
Here is everything happening across Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Garden City, Star, and Middleton this November. Events are listed in chronological order.
Photo: The Arbiter
Scarecrow Stroll
Idaho Botanical Garden, Boise
Through November 2nd, 2026 | 9am – 5pm daily
Catch the last weekend of handmade scarecrows from local families, schools and businesses lining the garden paths. It’s included with admission.
Bogus Basin Ski Swap
Expo Idaho, Garden City
October 30th – November 1st, 2026 | Friday 10am – 10pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 3pm
The 75th annual swap fills every Expo building with used ski and snowboard gear, and proceeds support the Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation. Entry is $5 Friday and Saturday, and Sunday is free with two canned food items for the Boise Rescue Mission.
Toys for Tots Ride
High Desert Harley-Davidson, Meridian
November 1st, 2026 | 9am – 4pm
The 17th annual motorcycle ride starts with registration at 9am and a poker run at 11am, then wraps with a chili feed, silent auction and raffles at Quinn’s Restaurant & Lounge from noon to 4pm. It’s $20 per rider with a new unwrapped toy, or $25 without.
DÃa de Muertos Celebration
JUMP, 1000 W Myrtle St, Boise
November 2nd, 2026 | 5pm – 8pm
This free celebration has community altars, performers, pan de muerto and Mexican hot cocoa, plus a Catrin and Catrina contest for kids and adults.
Speakers at the Center: The Boise Valley and the Treaty of Fort Boise
Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, 777 S 8th St, Boise
November 4th, 2026 | 6:30pm – 8pm
Antoinette Cavanaugh talks about the Boise Valley and the Treaty of Fort Boise. Registration is required.
Boise’s Cultural Showcase: International Craft Fair
JUMP, 1000 W Myrtle St, Boise
November 5th, 2026 | 5pm – 8pm
A free, all-ages craft fair in JUMP’s INSPIRE studio kicks off a new first-Thursday series.
Midday Musings with Aly McKnight
Idaho State Museum, 610 N Julia Davis Dr, Boise
November 5th, 2026 | 12pm – 1pm
Shoshone-Bannock artist and illustrator Aly McKnight shares her work in this lunchtime talk. It’s $5, or $3 for Idaho State Historical Society members.
Star Veterans Day Potato Feed
Liberty Hall, 960 S Main St, Star
November 6th, 2026 | 6pm – 8pm
The City of Star’s annual potato feed honors local veterans, and this year it moves to Star’s brand new Liberty Hall.
Spoonful Night
Treefort Music Hall, 722 W Broad St, Boise
November 6th, 2026 | Doors 7pm, show 8pm
Radio Boise’s benefit show features Jontavious Willis, Eilen Jewell, The Country Club and Tater Patch.
Holiday Makers Market
Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St S, Nampa
November 6th – 7th, 2026 | Friday 5pm – 9pm, Saturday 9am – 4pm
More than 100 artisans sell handmade goods at this free market, formerly the Craft & Chocolate Affaire.
Photo: Warhawk Air Museum
Warhawk Veterans Breakfast
Warhawk Air Museum, 201 Municipal Dr, Nampa
November 7th, 2026 | 8am – 12pm
The museum’s 23rd annual breakfast honors veterans and their families. It’s $5 for entry and breakfast, and kids 5 and under eat free with a paid adult.
Andrus for Idaho: History Harvest
The SPACE, Albertsons Library, Boise State University, Boise
November 6th – 7th, 2026 | 9am – 4pm
Bring your photos, documents and stories about Idaho’s environmental history and Cecil Andrus to be digitized, or record an oral history.
Downtown Boise YMCA Grand Opening Walk
Downtown YMCA, 1050 W State St, Boise
November 7th, 2026 | 9:30am
The Footsteps to the Future walk for all ages and abilities leads into the 10am grand opening ceremony for the new downtown YMCA.
Middleton Author Palooza
113 W Main St, Middleton
November 7th, 2026
The fifth annual event brings together local authors, vendors, food trucks and kids’ crafts.
Photo: Boise Farmers Market
Boise Farmers Market Winter Market Opening Day
Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise
November 7th, 2026 | Saturdays through December 19th
The Boise Farmers Market opens its winter season at its new permanent home at the Idaho Botanical Garden, with a heated tent for 40 to 60 vendors plus outdoor space for more. It’s free, and you can confirm hours on the market’s site.
Boise Philharmonic: The Planets
Morrison Center, Boise
November 7th – 8th, 2026 | Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2pm
The Boise Philharmonic takes on Holst’s orchestral tour of the solar system. Tickets run $37 – $111, with $19 student and youth tickets.
Eagle Holiday Bazaar
Eagle High School, 574 Park Ln, Eagle
November 7th – 8th, 2026 | Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 3pm
About 150 juried craft, fine art and fine craft vendors fill the school at this nonprofit bazaar, with proceeds going to local charities. Admission is free, with donations welcome at the door.
Photo: Treasure Valley Flea Market
Treasure Valley Flea Market
South Expo Building, Expo Idaho, Garden City
November 7th – 8th, 2026 | Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm
The 43rd fall flea market is a weekend of treasure hunting. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors, and kids 12 and under are free.
Holiday Wreath Workshops at Franz Witte
Franz Witte Garden Center, 20005 11th Ave N, Nampa
November 7th – December 6th, 2026 | Multiple sessions
Make and take your own holiday wreath with all supplies included. Sessions run on multiple dates through December 6th.
Franz Witte Holiday Open House
Franz Witte Garden Center, 20005 11th Ave N, Nampa
November 7th, 2026 | 9am – 3pm
The Nampa garden center kicks off the holiday season with its annual open house.
The Girls Day Out Expo
North Expo Building, Expo Idaho, Garden City
November 7th, 2026 | 10am – 4pm
More than 100 vendors fill the North Expo Building for a free day of shopping.
Ruck the Rock
Table Rock Trailhead, 3199 E Table Rock Rd, Boise
November 11th, 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Mission43 marks Veterans Day with a free climb to the summit of Table Rock, and no registration is needed.
Idaho Humane Society Dog Santa Photo Sessions
Idaho Humane Society, 1300 S Bird St, Boise
November 11th, 13th & 14th, 2026
Bring your pup in for a Santa or winter photo session, with sessions at $65.
Boise State Annual Holiday Concert
Morrison Center, Boise
November 12th, 2026 | 6:30pm
Boise State’s music students kick off the season with their annual holiday concert. Tickets run $14 – $16.
Scentsy Commons Christmas Lights Ceremony
Scentsy Commons, 2701 E Pine Ave, Meridian
November 13th, 2026 | 6pm – 8pm
The 10th annual ceremony counts down to the lights at 6:15pm, with a dozen food trucks on site. It’s free, and the lights stay on every night from sunset to sunrise through January 18th, 2027.
Photo: Jurassic Quest
Jurassic Quest
Expo Idaho, 5610 N Glenwood St, Garden City
November 13th – 15th, 2026 | Friday 1pm – 6pm, Saturday 8am – 8pm, Sunday 9am – 5pm
The touring dinosaur exhibit rolls into Garden City with life-size dinos and family activities, plus a sensory-friendly hour Saturday from 8am – 9am. General admission starts around $31.
Swiftgiving
JUMP, 1000 W Myrtle St, Boise
November 13th, 2026 | 7pm – 10pm
A free, all-ages Taylor Swift eras party at JUMP, and organizers ask you to bring supplies to donate to Simply Cats.
Photo: Idaho Press
Idaho Veterans Parade
Downtown Boise (starts at 8th & Jefferson), Boise
November 14th, 2026 | 10am – 12pm
This year’s theme is “United in Service 1776 – 2026.” Opening ceremonies are on the Capitol steps, and the route runs past the Capitol, onto 4th Street to Bannock, then on to 11th Street.
Boise Half Marathon
Julia Davis Park, 700 S Capitol Blvd, Boise
November 14th, 2026 | 9am
Runners start and finish in Julia Davis Park for a late-fall half marathon, with a virtual option too.
Photo: SO|ME District
SO|ME Winter Market
SO|ME Amp, 1363 E Phenomenal St, Meridian
November 14th, 2026 | 10am – 2pm
A free winter market with local vendors for early holiday shopping, plus Stories with Santa.
Eagle Veterans Breakfast
Eagle Senior Center, Eagle
November 14th, 2026 | 8am – 10am
The City of Eagle’s annual breakfast honors veterans, active military and their families.
Rediscovered Books Presents Rachel Maddow
Morrison Center, Boise
November 14th, 2026 | 6pm
Boise’s own Rediscovered Books brings the author and broadcaster to the Morrison Center stage. Tickets are $94.75.
A Mix of Creativity Art, Craft & Gift Market
711 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell
November 14th, 2026 | 10am – 4pm
Local artists and crafters set up for a day of holiday gift shopping in downtown Caldwell.
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in the Boise National Forest
Boise National Forest (near Idaho City, Garden Valley, Lowman and Mores Creek Summit)
November 18th – December 25th, 2026 | Permits on sale November 12th
A $10 Forest Service permit lets you head into the mountains and cut your own tree, with a limit of three permits. Fourth graders with an Every Kid Outdoors pass cut one free.
B Plaza Comes to Light
B Plaza, Boise State University, Boise
November 19th, 2026 | 4pm – 6pm
Boise State lights up the B Plaza to kick off the holiday season on campus.
Photo: Warren Miller Entertainment
Warren Miller’s Days Off
Egyptian Theatre, 700 W Main St, Boise
November 19th – 21st, 2026 | Thursday and Friday 7pm, Saturday 4pm and 7:30pm
The annual ski and snowboard film gets everyone in the mood for the mountain season.
Merry Grinchmas Market
Scentsy Commons, 2701 E Pine Ave, Meridian
November 19th – 21st, 2026 | 9am – 6pm daily
Holiday House Boutique’s three-day makers market is heavy on home decor, signs, soaps, jewelry, clothing and baby gifts.
Boise State Theatre: A Christmas Carol
Danny Peterson Theatre, Morrison Center, Boise
November 19th – December 6th, 2026
Boise State Theatre stages the Dickens classic, with opening weekend November 19th – 22nd and more shows December 3rd – 6th. Tickets run $19 – $25.50.
Caldwell Winter Wonderland Festival
Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S Kimball Ave, Caldwell
Opens November 20th, 2026 | Opening weekend 6pm – 9pm nightly
More than a million lights, ice skating, Santa, vendors and food trucks kick off the season in downtown Caldwell, and it’s free. A winter market opens at 3pm Saturday and Sunday.
Photo: Indian Creek Plaza
Indian Creek Plaza Ice Ribbon Opening
Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S Kimball Ave, Caldwell
November 20th, 2026 | Season runs through February
Idaho’s only ice skating ribbon opens for the 2026-27 season the same night as Winter Wonderland. It’s $17 with skate rental, $9 if you bring your own skates and $8 for ages 5 and under.
Canyon County Christmas Show
Ford Idaho Center Arena, Nampa
November 20th – 22nd, 2026 | Friday and Saturday 11am – 7pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm
A holiday shopping show for the whole family, with free parking. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, and kids 12 and under are free.
Idaho Snowmobile Show
Ford Sports Center, Ford Idaho Center, Nampa
November 20th – 21st, 2026 | Friday 3pm – 9pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sleds, gear and winter-sports vendors under one roof. Admission is $10, kids under 12 are free, and military get 50% off.
Wintry Market
Boise Centre West, 850 W Front St, Boise
November 20th – 21st, 2026 | Friday 4pm – 9pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm
A juried holiday market for handmade gifts. A $10 Friday ticket is good for both days, Saturday-only tickets are $5, and kids 12 and under are free.
Photo: Christmas in Color / From the Hip Photo
Christmas in Color
Roaring Springs, 400 W Overland Rd, Meridian
Opening date TBD | Nightly from 5pm
Drive through a holiday light show at Roaring Springs without leaving your car. The 2026 season is on sale, and opening night is expected around November 20th.
Lost in Christmas
Shindig Farms, Nampa
Opens November 20th, 2026 | Fridays and Saturdays in November, 5pm – 10pm
Shindig Farms turns its grounds into a walk-through holiday light maze, adding Thursdays in December and running through January 2nd, 2027. Tickets run $12 – $14 depending on the night, wagon rides are $5, and kids 3 and under are free.
Photo: The Village at Meridian
The Village at Meridian Tree Lighting & Santa Arrival
The Village at Meridian, 3597 E Monarch Sky Ln, Meridian
Date TBD
The Village kicks off the holidays with a tree lighting and Santa’s arrival at Fountain Square. Check back for this year’s date.
Valnova Turkey Trot
Glencara Recreation Village, 6610 N Newbank Way, Eagle
November 21st, 2026 | 9am
This free community turkey trot, presented with Fleet Feet Treasure Valley, has a 1-mile fun run and a 5K run or walk, and a donation to the Boise Rescue Mission is encouraged.
Santa’s Rock Shop
Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise
November 21st, 2026 | 12pm – 4pm
The mining museum closes out its season with a free holiday shopping day and 20% off merchandise, though Santa himself won’t be there. Registration is requested.
Festival of Wreaths Open House
Nampa Train Depot Museum, 1200 Front St, Nampa
November 21st, 2026 | 10am – 3pm
The Canyon County Historical Society hosts a free Festival of Wreaths open house at the historic depot.
Roots & Tradition: Oyamel Folkloric Dancers
Brandt Center, 707 Fern St, Nampa
November 21st, 2026 | 6pm – 8pm
The Oyamel Folkloric Dancers take the stage for their Roots & Tradition recital.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Morrison Center, Boise
November 22nd, 2026 | 6pm
A celebration of traditional country music with a multi-act lineup. Tickets start at $41.
Photo: CBS2 / Idaho News
Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees
Boise Centre, 850 W Front St, Boise
November 24th – 30th, 2026 | Public days November 25th – 29th
Boise’s big holiday fundraiser is in its 42nd year, with a gala on November 24th, Senior Day on the 25th, Family Day on the 28th and a fashion show luncheon on the 30th. Santa, a LEGO display and a scavenger hunt round it out. Admission is $16 for adults and $11 for kids, seniors and military, and it’s card or contactless only.
Photo: Idaho News 6
Boise Turkey Day 5K
Cecil Andrus Park, 601 W Jefferson St, Boise
November 26th, 2026 | 9am
The valley’s biggest Thanksgiving morning run starts in front of the Capitol, with a 5K and a Kids 5K. Registration is $45 for adults (it goes up after November 3rd) and $18 for kids.
Caldwell Turkey Day 5K
Memorial Park, Caldwell
November 26th, 2026 | 9am
Caldwell’s Thanksgiving tradition has a 5K and a Kids 5K that both start at 9am.
Nampa Pumpkin Spice 5K
Gem Prep School, 310 W Iowa Ave, Nampa
November 26th, 2026 | 8am
Nampa’s Thanksgiving morning run or walk starts an hour before the Boise and Caldwell races.
Photo: Greenlee Clark / Idaho News 6
Candy Cane Lane
1572 E Feather View Dr, Eagle
November 26th – December 31st, 2026 | 5:30pm – 11pm nightly
This free neighborhood light display in Eagle turns on Thanksgiving night and supports Make-A-Wish Idaho.
Photo: Idaho Botanical Garden
Winter Garden aGlow
Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise
Opening date TBD
The garden’s holiday light display usually runs Wednesdays through Sundays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. Check back for this year’s opening night and tickets.
Photo: Canyon County Festival of Trees
Canyon County Festival of Trees
Ford Idaho Center, Nampa
November 27th – 30th, 2026 | Friday 10am – 6:30pm, Saturday 10:30am – 5:30pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm
Decorated trees, vendor booths, live entertainment and Santa visits make this Canyon County’s big holiday tradition. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and kids 4 – 12. Cookies with Santa is Friday evening ($20), Breakfast with Santa is Saturday morning ($30), and the gala and auction wraps things up Monday.
Photo: Ballet Idaho
Ballet Idaho: Nutcracker in a Nutshell
Jewett Auditorium, College of Idaho, 2112 Cleveland Blvd, Caldwell
November 27th – 28th, 2026 | 1pm and 7pm
Ballet Idaho’s shortened take on the holiday classic, presented by Caldwell Fine Arts, is a great first Nutcracker for kids ahead of the full production in Boise in December. Tickets run $19 – $44, and Clara’s Tea Party ($16) runs Friday from 2:30pm – 3:30pm.
Boise Little Theater: A Little Princess
Boise Little Theater, Boise
Opens November 27th, 2026 | Runs into December
The community theater brings the classic story to the stage, with opening weekend shows Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm.
Winter Holiday Market at Victory Gardens
Victory Gardens Nursery, 120 E Victory Rd, Meridian
November 27th – 29th, 2026 | 10am – 4pm daily
Thanksgiving weekend at the Meridian nursery brings artisan vendors, warm drinks, a raffle and the Christmas tree lot, so you can get the tree and the gifts in one stop. It’s free.
Local Makers Market at Edwards Greenhouse
Edwards Greenhouse, 4106 Sand Creek St, Boise
November 27th – 29th, 2026 | 10am – 3pm daily
Thanksgiving weekend shopping with local makers inside one of Boise’s favorite greenhouses.
Idaho Sleigh Rides Wagon Rides and Tree Picks
Idaho Sleigh Rides, Garden Valley
November 27th – December 11th, 2026
Before the snow settles in, Idaho Sleigh Rides runs draft-horse wagon rides through the Garden Valley meadows where a wild elk herd winters, paired with picking out a Christmas tree. Sleigh rides start December 12th.
Photo: Downtown Boise Association
Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting
The Grove Plaza, 827 W Main St, Boise
November 27th, 2026 | Time TBD
The city’s grand holiday tree lights up in The Grove Plaza the night after Thanksgiving with performances and a countdown, and it’s free.
Boise Holiday Parade
Downtown Boise (starts at Jefferson & 10th), Boise
November 28th, 2026 | 10am – 12pm
The annual Boise Holiday Parade rolls through downtown and past the Capitol, and this year’s theme is “Christmas is for Giving.” It’s free.
Photo: Idaho Press
Nampa Christmas Tree Lighting
Nampa Train Depot, 1200 Front St, Nampa
Date TBD
Downtown Nampa lights its 60-foot spruce on Small Business Saturday, with entertainment, free hot chocolate and Santa photos in the Depot.
Warhawk Winterfest
Warhawk Air Museum, 201 Municipal Dr, Nampa
November 28th, 2026 | 10am – 5pm
The museum’s holiday weekend has a treasure hunt, ornament crafts and letters to Santa, all with regular admission.
YMCA Thanksgiving Leftovers Fun Run
Ann Morrison Park, 1000 S Americana Blvd, Boise
November 28th, 2026 | 10am
Work off the holiday meal with a 1-mile or 5K run or walk.
Family Art Saturday
Boise Art Museum, 670 Julia Davis Dr, Boise
November 28th, 2026 | 12pm – 3pm
Hands-on art activities for the whole family at the Boise Art Museum.
A Concert for Compassion
Treefort Music Hall, 722 W Broad St, Boise
November 28th, 2026 | Doors 4:30pm, show 5pm
Clemy’s Crew’s second annual all-ages benefit for families of sick kids features Sean Hatton Band, Andrew Sheppard, Dr. Scott’s Electric Hairbrush and Dad Bod, plus an auction and kids’ activities.
Wicked Winter Market
Revolution Concert House, 4983 N Glenwood St, Garden City
November 28th, 2026 | 11am – 6pm
The alternative holiday market for people who don’t shop at craft shows, with dark art, oddities, gothic decor and gifts from local artists, plus Krampus photo ops, a costume contest and a donation drive for West Valley Humane Society.
S’mores and Shop Small Saturday in Downtown Nampa
Downtown Nampa, Nampa
November 28th, 2026 | 11am – 5pm
Small Business Saturday in downtown Nampa brings s’mores stations and shop specials along 1st Street, plus the Nampa Farmers Market’s Winter Wonderland Market at Lloyd Square, all leading into the city’s tree lighting that evening.
Small Business Saturday in Downtown Boise
Downtown Boise, Boise
November 28th, 2026
The Saturday after Thanksgiving belongs to downtown’s independent shops, boutiques, makers and bookstores, right after the morning parade and with the Festival of Trees a block away.
Refugee Made for the Holidays
Artisans for Hope, 1615 W State St, Boise
November 28th, 2026 | 10am – 2pm
Shop handmade gifts from refugee artisans, with items from $1 to $125.
Merry Makers Market
106 W 31st St, Garden City
November 28th – December 23rd, 2026
A month-long holiday pop-up of local makers in Garden City. Check the market’s site for daily hours.
Boise Philharmonic: Elf in Concert
Morrison Center, Boise
November 28th – 29th, 2026 | Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2pm
Watch the holiday favorite on the big screen while the Boise Philharmonic plays the score live. Tickets run $37 – $111.
Bogus Basin Opening Day
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, Boise
Date TBD | Depends on snow
Opening day depends on the snow. This season, lifts spin at 9am daily, and night skiing runs until 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 10pm Friday and Saturday.
See you out there!
