Holiday Events in Boise and the Treasure Valley You Won’t Want to Miss
The holiday season is here, and Boise and the Treasure Valley are sparkling with festive activities for everyone! From dazzling light displays and holiday markets to photos with Santa and cozy seasonal experiences, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a night with friends, or a special date, our guide to holiday events in Boise and surrounding areas will help you make the most of this magical season.
Must-See Holiday Light Displays
These light displays are some of the top holiday events Boise residents look forward to each year.
- Christmas in Color
- Location: Roaring Springs Park | Meridian
- Dates: Nov 15 – Dec 31
- Times: 5:30PM – 10:00PM
- Highlight: Drive-thru synchronized show, family-friendly.
- Winter Garden aGlow
- Location: Idaho Botanical Garden, Boise
- Dates: Nov 28 – Dec 31
- Times: 6:00PM – 9:00PM
- Highlight: Walk through experience with themed light displays.
- Indian Creek Winter Wonderland
- Location: Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell
- Dates: Nov 21 – Mid-Jan 2026
- Times: 6:00PM – 9:00PM
- Highlight: Over a million lights, ice skating, festive treats.
- Winter Lights Parade
- Location: Downtown Meridian
- Dates: Dec 5
- Times: Pre-parade activities (starts at 5:30PM), parade starts at 7:00PM
- Highlight: Watch parties, free hot coco stands, pre-parade entertainment and tree ornaments to take home.
- Neighborhood Light Tours
- Location: Various Treasure Valley Neighborhoods
- Highlight: Self-guided tours using local light maps, free and family-friendly.
- Downtown Boise Tree Lighting
- Location: The Grove Plaza
- Date: Nov 28
- Time: 5:00PM – 6:00PM
- Highlights: Free, all ages event featuring a candle lighting ceremony, live holiday music, special guests, and the official countdown and lighting of the Holiday Tree!
- Shindig Farms 2025 Lost in Christmas
- Location: Shingdig Farms in Nampa
- Dates: November, Fridays & Saturdays | December, Thursdays to Saturdays
- Times: Weekdays 5:00PM – 11:00PM
- Highlights: Illuminated Straw Maze; Giant Christmas Tree; Candy Cane Zip Lines; Festive Mega Slides; Kids Mini Maze; and much more!
- Scentsy Commons Christmas Lights
- Opening Night: Nov 14 at 6:00PM
- Dates: Through the Christmas season
- Highlights:
- Boise Trolley Tours | Christmas Lights Tour
- Location: Meet at Idaho Capital Asian Market on North Cole Road
- Dates: Dec 10th – Dec 31
- Times: Check online to book your tour!
- Highlights: This delightful 60 minute ride takes you through beautifully decorated streets and neighborhoods, showcasing the most dazzling holiday displays.
Family-Friendly Festive Activities
If you’re searching for family-friendly holiday events in Boise, these activities are perfect for creating lasting memories.
Photos with Santa
- Cabella’s in Boise
- Date: through Dec 24
- Highlights: free photos with Santa, make sure to reserve your timeslot.
- The Village at Meridian
- Dates: Nov 21 – Dec 24
- Times: Reserve a time slot for convenience
- Highlights: A festive holiday experience filled with twinkling lights, magical décor, photo-ready backdrops, cheerful activities, cozy shopping and dining, delightful surprises around every corner, and photos with Santa—including pets!
- Children’s Winterland Festival
- Location: Meridian Homecourt YMCA
- Date: Dec 13
- Time: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
- Highlights: Free, fun-filled event with creative Christmas crafts, exciting games, and memorable photo with Santa himself!
- Santa at the Mall
- Location: Boise Towne Square Mall
- Dates: Nov 14 – Dec 24
- Times: Walk-ups welcome every day until closing
- Highlights: Professional photos & festive décor. Tip: go on a weekday morning to avoid long lines and book a time slot.
Letters to Santa & Holiday Crafts
- Letters to Santa
- Location: Special letterbox in front of Meridian City Hall
- Dates: Nov 17 – Dec 17
- Highlights: Every child who drops off a letter to Santa will receive a personal reply! No need for return postage, but be sure to include a clear and legible return address.
- USPS Operation Santa
- Location: USPS
- Date: Nov 17 – Dec 6
- Highlights: Write letters to Santa at the North Pole OR adopt a letter sent by hopeful families and send holiday cheer back.
- Crafts at the Library
- Location: Check your local library for holiday craft events!
- Dates: December
- Highlights: Fun holiday crafts for the kids at your local library
Festive Experiences & Holiday Performances
From twinkling lights to lively performances, these festive experiences capture the magic of the season.
- Mistletoe Magic Pop-Up
- Location: The Gatsby, Boise
- Dates: Nov 18 – Dec 28
- Highlights: The Gatsby speakeasy transforms into a winter wonderland with over-the-top decor and festive holiday cocktails.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Location: Morrison Center, Boise
- Dates: Nov 20 – Dec 7
- Highlights: Back by popular demand! The classic animated television special A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation in which Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang discover the true meaning of Christmas.
- Tubing Hill
- Location: Bogus Basin Ski Resort, Boise
- Dates: Nov 23 – April
- Highlights: Scream with excitement and maybe a little fear… as you slide down the 800 foot long tubing hill. When you get to the bottom a conveyor-lift is there to take you back to the top, allowing you to ride again and again.
- Boise Philharmonic: Home Alone in Concert
- Location: Morrison Center, Boise
- Dates: Nov 29 – Nov 30
- Highlights: A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer JohnWilliams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the Boise Phil.
- Tuba Christmas 2025
- Location: The Grove Plaza, Boise
- Date: Dec 6 @ 4pm
- Highlight: Boise’s Tuba Christmas has been an ongoing community gathering of tuba and euphonium musicians since 1992. Members of this unique ensemble include student musicians from local high schools, middle schools, colleges/universities, and adult musicians from various professions. It is truly a Boise tradition!
- Christmas at the Cathedral
- Location: Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise
- Dates: Dec 6 & Dec 7
- Highlights: Christmas At The Cathedral is a musical concert showcasing Cathedral’s music department. We will have performances from our Cathedral Adult Choirs, Children’s choirs, independent musicians, organist David Young, the Cathedral Collective, and more! All are welcome to attend this celebration!
- Ballet Idaho: The Nutcracker
- Location: Morrison Center, Boise
- Dates: Dec 13 – Dec 23
- Highlights: The glittering anticipation begins as soon as the Boise Philharmonic plays the first overture notes of Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.
Markets & Holiday Shopping Events
Discover local makers, festive markets, and holiday pop-ups filled with unique gifts and seasonal treats. It’s the perfect way to shop small and soak in the holiday spirit.
- The Secret Christmas Shop
- Location: A’Tavola, Boise
- Dates: Nov 9 – End of Holiday Season
- Highlights: Hidden gem in downtown Boise at the back of A’Tavola’s cafe.
- The Wintry Market
- Location: Boise Centre at the Grove Plaza, Boise
- Dates: Nov 21 & Nov 22
- Highlights: Wintry Market is Idaho’s premier curated Winter maker’s market showcasing the best of art, craft and design.
- Winter Wonder Market
- Location: Riverside Hotel, Garden City
- Date: Nov 29
- Highlights: This is a free indoor local creator market where you can enjoy a festive day of shopping and supporting incredible local businesses.
- Vintage Market Days
- Location: Ford Idaho Horse Park, Nampa
- Dates: Dec 5 – Dec 7
- Highlights: Vintage Market Days of Treasure Valley Idaho is an upscale vintage-inspired, curated market.
- Holiday Shop
- Location: Edwards Greenhouse, Boise
- Dates: Nov 10 – Christmas Eve
- Highlights: Pop-up holiday shop inside Edwards Greenhouse. Don’t miss the Local Makers Market on Nov 28 – Nov 30 where you can shop local vendors.
No matter how you celebrate, the Treasure Valley has something to make your season feel a little brighter. We hope this guide helps you discover new traditions, revisit old favorites, and fill your holidays with joy. Happy holidays from all of us at Alturas Homes!