Community events guide
Holiday parades, tree lightings, winter markets, and the seasonal events that return each year across Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Star, Middleton, Nampa, Kuna, Caldwell, Garden City, Marsing, Mountain Home, and the smaller surrounding towns, each with a verified official source so you can check before you go.
Every event below is real and recurring, and each one links to its official page where one exists. Details change every year: dates, times, locations, vendors, and ticket prices all move. Treat anything date-specific as a starting point and confirm it with the organizer before you drive out. This guide was researched and checked on October 29, 2026, and we refresh it regularly. Events whose 2026 run has finished stay listed with a "season complete" note so you know they return next year.
Boise events
The capital is the valley's calendar anchor, and right now its holiday stretch is live: the Capital City Public Market runs Saturdays through December 19, the Boise Farmers Market moves to a winter market at the Idaho Botanical Garden from November 7, and the month between the downtown tree lighting and the New Year's Eve Potato Drop carries the season. The free summer concert series, the Hyde Park Street Fair, and the early market runs have all wrapped for 2026, and the downtown Glide on Grove ice rink was discontinued, so it does not return this year.
Idaho's largest outdoor market, with 150-plus rotating vendors of produce, food, and crafts. The 2027 season returns on a Saturday in April.
Confirm dates with the organizer
The growers' market wrapped its final downtown season on October 31 and moves to a heated winter market at the Idaho Botanical Garden starting November 7.
Confirm dates with the organizer
A free monthly art and culture night with gallery openings, in-store exhibits, and live music.
Confirm dates with the organizer
A free candle-lit ceremony that launches the holiday season and the Giving Tree program. Confirm the posted date with the Downtown Boise Association.
Confirm dates with the organizer
More than 800,000 lights, trains, carolers, gingerbread houses, and Santa on select nights. Buy advance, entry-time-specific tickets, as time slots sell out.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Boise's free New Year's Eve celebration, with the glowing potato drop at midnight and fireworks. The 14th annual drop rings in 2027.
Confirm dates with the organizer
The valley's big multi-format music and arts festival, celebrating its 15th year in 2027. Five days across downtown venues.
Confirm dates with the organizer
The free, all-ages summer concert series. It returns each summer; confirm 2027 dates with the Downtown Boise Association.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A long-running North End tradition with 200-plus vendors and live music, raising money for the neighborhood association. Returns in 2027.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The growers' weekly market completed its final season at this address on October 31, 2026, before moving to the winter market at the Idaho Botanical Garden.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Eagle events
Eagle keeps a friendly small-town calendar around Heritage Park and old downtown. The Saturday market and the summer gazebo concerts are done for 2026, and the next date on the calendar is Country Christmas on December 5. Fun Days and Harvest Fest return next year; confirm each season's dates with the city.
Santa photos, live reindeer, kids' crafts, a holiday market, and youth performances in Heritage Park.
Confirm dates with the organizer
A handmade arts-and-crafts community market with live music, run by the city since 2002. The 2026 season is complete; it returns in May 2027.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The 55th annual hometown festival with a parade, car show, fun runs, vendors, and family entertainment. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Free summer concerts at the gazebo, with a different band each night. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Eagle's fall celebration at Heritage Park with seasonal activities and vendors. The 2026 edition is complete; it returns each October.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Meridian events
Meridian's community life centers on Kleiner Park, the City Hall plaza, and The Village. The bandshell concerts and the Saturday market have wrapped for the year, and the holiday calendar leads with the Winter Lights Parade and Tree Lighting on December 4, while The Village runs pop-up and seasonal events all year.
The city's signature holiday kickoff, with the Winter Lights Parade down Main Street and the community tree lighting.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Pop-up markets, seasonal celebrations, movie nights, and ticketed shows all year.
Confirm dates with the organizer
A free concert series at the bandshell, about six shows each summer. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The city's farmers and artisans market on the City Hall plaza, with music and food trucks. The 2026 season is complete; it returns in April 2027.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A free family Fourth with food trucks, live music, and fireworks around 10:20 p.m. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Star events
Star is a small river town that clusters its events around the Star Riverhouse on Main Street. The summer concerts, the Saturday market, Art by the River, and the chili and brewfest have all wrapped for 2026. Next up is Christmas at the Riverhouse on the weekend of December 5, with the Star Light Parade, the tree lighting, and family activities.
Star's holiday celebration with the Star Light Parade down Main Street, the riverhouse tree lighting, crafts, carols, cookies, and a Santa visit.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Free concerts on the riverfront lawn, co-hosted with the Southwest Idaho Business Alliance. The 2026 run is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A small-town market of produce, handmade goods, and local vendors. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Star's free Fourth of July celebration, with a fireworks show over the river at night. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A juried fine-arts show on the riverfront, with artists and live music. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The chamber's annual chili tasting and brew festival on the riverfront. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Middleton events
Middleton is a genuine small town where the calendar turns on the park, the chamber, and Main Street. The summer market, July Fourth, and the fall craft bazaar are complete for 2026, and the season closes with Light Up Middleton on December 5 in downtown.
The town's holiday kickoff with the community tree lighting, live entertainment, and a Christmas market.
Confirm dates with the organizer
The town's seasonal community market of local vendors, run with the chamber. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Pancake breakfast, a parade, the annual car show, vendors, and fireworks. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Around 74 vendors of crafts and gifts, with free admission. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Nampa events
Nampa, the valley's second city, keeps its historic downtown farmers market running Saturdays into November, hosts the Canyon County Christmas Show at the Ford Idaho Center in late November, and fills the Ford Idaho Center with events all year. The Stampede and the August arts festival return in 2027.
The downtown market runs rain or shine, with produce, food, crafts, and live music. The final Saturday of the season is posted by the market.
Confirm dates with the organizer
The region's big holiday shopping show, with hundreds of vendors and gift ideas. Adults $5, seniors $4, kids 12 and under free.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Concerts, rodeo, expos, and family shows all year at Idaho's largest entertainment complex.
Confirm dates with the organizer
A major PRCA rodeo that moved to June starting in 2025; book tickets early for the next edition.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A free, two-day juried arts festival with 200-plus artists and artisans. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Kuna events
Kuna keeps a proud small-town calendar around Bernie Fisher Park and the greenbelt behind City Hall. The farmers market, Groove Fest, and Kuna Days have wrapped for 2026; the Christmas Tree Lighting on December 5 and the Gem Drop on New Year's Eve are the live dates now.
Kuna's annual tree lighting in Bernie Fisher Park, with the Parks crew's lights and seasonal activities around it.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Kuna's free, all-ages New Year's Eve celebration: a giant sparkling gem lowers from a crane at midnight, with fireworks, music, and food vendors.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Produce, baked goods, and crafts in the park, in season. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A free evening music festival with food trucks and live bands. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Kuna's big weekend: about 100 vendors, live music, a Saturday parade, and fireworks. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Caldwell events
Caldwell's civic life radiates from Indian Creek Plaza: the Tuesday market and concert series, the August Night Rodeo, and the September creek festival are all complete for 2026, and Winter Wonderland opens November 20 with more than 1.5 million lights, Idaho's only outdoor ice ribbon, Santa, and a winter market running into January.
A 1.5 million-light holiday display with Idaho's only outdoor ice ribbon, Santa visits, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, a winter market, and the community tree lighting during the opening weekend.
Confirm dates with the organizer
The downtown farmers market, held at the same time as the Tuesday concert series. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A free weekly summer concert series on the plaza, with a beer and wine happy hour from 5 p.m. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
One of the West's biggest nighttime rodeos, with top PRCA cowboys and a free plaza kickoff. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Cardboard kayak races, a classic car show, a first-responder tug-of-war, and vendor booths. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Garden City events
Garden City pairs the Boise River Greenbelt with Expo Idaho. The Greenbelt Night Market and the Western Idaho Fair wrapped over the summer, the Greenbelt Harvest Market closes its October run at The Boardwalk this weekend, and Expo Idaho keeps the calendar moving with the 75th BBSEF Ski Swap the first weekend of November and the Boise Christmas Show December 4 to 6.
The fall market along the Boise River Greenbelt with seasonal vendors, a pumpkin patch, fall workshops, food, and drinks. It closes its 2026 run on Halloween.
Confirm dates with the organizer
A community Halloween gathering at The Boardwalk on the Greenbelt, free to attend.
Confirm dates with the organizer
The Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation's giant winter-gear swap. $5 entrance, free on Sunday with a canned-food donation, free for ages 12 and under.
Confirm dates with the organizer
A holiday shopping show with 225-plus vendors and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Adults $5, seniors $4, kids 12 and under free.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Food, farm, artisan, and music vendors along the Boise River Greenbelt, with live music every Friday. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The valley's big summer fair since 1897: midway rides, livestock barns, food booths, and grandstand concerts. The 2026 run is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A one-day, multi-stage festival with about 50 acts, carnival rides, and 40-plus food vendors. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Marsing events
Marsing is the little Snake River town on the Owyhee County edge of the valley, and its calendar is built on the river: the July 3rd fireworks celebration, the summer car show, and the February community auction have all wrapped or renewed for 2026, and the Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting anchors the season, traditionally held in early December.
A small-town parade down Main Street with the tree lighting at the park. Recent editions have run the first Friday of December.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Lions Club BBQ, live music, kids' games, and the town's fireworks show. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The city-hosted classic car show on the river, a favorite for gearheads of all ages. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A community artisan and farmers market; confirm whether it has returned before planning around it.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A 60-year-plus community benefit auction and sale that draws the whole Owyhee County valley. The next edition returns early in 2027.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Mountain Home events
Mountain Home, the base for Mountain Home Air Force Base, stacks its town calendar around Railroad Park and Carl Miller Park. The farmers market, Crazee Dayz, the Fourth, Air Force Appreciation Day, and the Highland Games are complete for 2026, and Light the Forest fills early December with the holiday parade, family activities, and the tree lighting.
The town's holiday parade, family activities, and tree lighting.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Locally grown produce, crafted goods, and food in Railroad Park. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The chamber's flagship community festival with local vendors, food trucks, entertainment, a car show, and a carnival. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Fireworks, food, and a family celebration in the park. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Idaho's longest parade plus vendors, a military flyover, and a free BBQ honoring the base. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A family Scottish games weekend with athletics, pipe bands, music, and food. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The smaller surrounding towns events
Emmett and the farm towns of Canyon and Owyhee counties each hold a few big events worth the drive. The summer festivals, county fairs, and small-town Fourths are done for 2026, and the winter season is led by Emmett's Holiday Magic on Main on November 28 and Homedale's Night Light Christmas Parade on the last weekend of November. Greenleaf and Wilder have quieter, church- and school-centered calendars, so check their city halls and local pages, and lean on nearby Emmett, Caldwell, and Nampa events.
A lighted holiday parade of horses, decorated vehicles, and floats down Main Street, followed by the town Christmas tree lighting.
Confirm dates with the organizer
The Homedale Chamber's holiday parade down Idaho Avenue, with the city also planning holiday farmers markets in November and December.
Confirm dates with the organizer
Idaho's longest-running hometown festival, celebrating the cherry harvest with food, music, and family fun. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The county fair with livestock, exhibits, entertainment, and a PRCA rodeo. The 2026 run is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The chamber's fall street fair with vendors, food, and live music downtown. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A Friday-evening market of produce and crafts in the park. The 2026 season is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The county's annual fair and rodeo. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A demolition derby and fireworks celebration hosted by the Homedale Lions Club. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
A small-town Fourth with a parade, fun run, car show, tractor pull, and fireworks. The 2026 edition is complete.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
The community's annual rodeo with a parade; no central event page exists, so check local listings for dates.
2026 season complete, confirm 2027 dates
Event planning FAQ
Short, honest answers about how Treasure Valley events run, drawn from the guide above.
Many are. The Boise tree lighting, the Idaho Potato Drop, First Thursday, Eagle Country Christmas, Light Up Middleton, Kuna's Gem Drop, and most tree lightings and parades are free. Ticketed events include Winter Garden aGlow, the Caldwell Night Rodeo, Treefort, the Canyon County Christmas Show, and some festival concert seats. Check the official page for each event.
Yes, every time. Event schedules, times, vendors, and locations change year to year and sometimes week to week, so confirm dates and hours with the organizer before you head out.
The holiday stretch is the valley's busiest: Winter Garden aGlow and the Boise Farmers Market winter market at the Idaho Botanical Garden, Caldwell's Winter Wonderland through mid-January, the downtown Boise tree lighting and New Year's Eve Potato Drop, Kuna's Gem Drop on December 31, the Boise Christmas Show at Expo Idaho, and holiday parades in Emmett, Homedale, Marsing, and Mountain Home. First Thursday keeps its monthly art walk year-round, and Treefort returns in late March and early April.
Most run spring through fall. The Capital City Public Market in Boise runs Saturdays through December 19, the Boise Farmers Market runs April through October and then moves to a winter market at the Idaho Botanical Garden from November 7, the Meridian Main Street Market runs April through mid-October, the Nampa Farmers Market runs Saturdays April through November, and Farm to Fork in Caldwell runs Tuesdays May through September.
Right now the family lineup is Winter Garden aGlow, Caldwell's Winter Wonderland, Eagle Country Christmas, Christmas at the Riverhouse in Star, Light Up Middleton, Kuna's Gem Drop, and the Meridian Winter Lights Parade. In summer, Kleiner Park Live, Eagle Fun Days, Kuna Days, and the Emmett Cherry Festival join every town's Fourth of July fireworks.
At Expo Idaho, 5610 Glenwood St, on the Boise and Garden City line, traditionally in late August. The 2026 run (August 21 to 30) is complete; watch Expo Idaho's calendar for the 2027 dates.
Each city keeps its own list: downtownboise.org for Boise, cityofeagle.org for Eagle, meridiancity.org for Meridian, staridaho.org for Star, mymiddleton.com and middletonidahochamber.org for Middleton, cityofnampa.us and visitnampa.org for Nampa, kunacity.id.gov for Kuna, indiancreekplaza.com for Caldwell, visitgardencity.com and expoidaho.com for Garden City, cityofmarsing.org for Marsing, and mountainhomechamber.com for Mountain Home.
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