This weekend in Boise, ID

The CAF-Idaho Adaptive Mountain Bike Club meets at different trail locations around the Boise area. Intended for participants 18 and older, it welcomes riders of all abilities, including adaptive and non-adaptive cyclists. An email is sent on the Monday before each ride with that week’s specifics, including where to meet, the planned schedule, and a link to register for that session. Plans may shift with weather, and updates are provided in the pre-ride message.

This Idaho Enhanced concealed carry course offers comprehensive training on the laws and regulations for carrying a concealed firearm in the state. Participants receive guidance on the lawful use of force, essential firearm safety, and proper handling and storage practices. The class also explains the specific legal requirements for obtaining the Idaho Enhanced permit. Dates and times may change, so consult the organizer’s website for the most current information.

Challenge your chess in a monthly quad-format tournament that places you in a three-game round robin with players of similar rating. The fast G/25+5 time control keeps every round lively, making it approachable for newcomers and rewarding for seasoned competitors. Entry is $20, and a current USCF membership is required. Forty percent of entry fees are returned as prizes, and ICN members also collect points toward quarterly and annual championship prizes. Held on the second Saturday of each month, and spots tend to fill quickly.

Discover three mid-century homes currently for sale in Boise on a monthly tour created for architecture enthusiasts, design idea seekers, and prospective buyers. Participants meet at the organizer’s office, then travel together in a caravan to each stop, making it simple to compare properties and get a closer look at Boise’s mid-century style.

Enjoy a fun and relaxing float on the Boise River starting at Barber Park and finishing at Ann Morrison Park. A shuttle returns participants to Barber Park after the float. The cost is $20 per person and includes the float and return shuttle. Everyone is welcome, and advance online registration is requested.

This drop off clay studio experience invites children ages 5 to 12 to explore ceramics in ongoing, individual sessions suited to beginners through advanced makers. Guided by ceramic artists and experienced teachers Mindy Curran and Ben Alexander, participants learn to shape both functional and decorative work while developing perseverance, patience, problem solving and creativity. Instruction rotates among handbuilding, wheel throwing and glazing, and most students leave each class with one or two pieces they created themselves. Booking multiple sessions allows families to follow the full process from forming to finishing. Advance registration is required and the fee is $40. At times the class takes place alongside an ongoing figure painting session, offering a respectful glimpse into life drawing. Models wear kid appropriate attire, a reasonable level of studio noise is acceptable and consideration for other classes is expected. Enrollment includes reclaimed clay, access to tools, wheels and glazes, instructor guidance and kiln firing. Wear clothes that can get messy or bring an apron. Freshly made pieces cannot be trimmed, glazed or underglazed the same day, so a return visit is needed to complete those steps. Long nails are discouraged.

Explore 150 years of Boise history and architecture on a 90 minute guided walking tour that highlights the built environment that makes downtown unique. Designed for both visitors and Idaho residents, this experience shares how the city’s vibrant core took shape and the people who influenced its growth. The tour begins and ends at the Basque Museum & Cultural Center. Tickets are $10 for Preservation Idaho members, $15 for non-members, and $8 for children 13 and under, with tax and credit card processing fees applied. Held rain or shine, participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring essentials like sunscreen, an umbrella, and water.

Idaho Writers Guild presents a Second Saturday Talk featuring award winning author Pamela Kleibrink Thompson. Designed for anyone curious about writing for young readers, this session looks at what goes into creating a children's book. Thompson, author of THE HORSE WHO WANTED TO FLY, shares practical guidance and insight to help demystify the process. The program takes place in the David Eberle meeting room at the Bown Crossing Library, with a virtual option available via Zoom. Idaho Writers Guild is not affiliated with or endorsed by Idaho libraries.

Boise Soul Food Fest 2026 is a festival celebrating soul food in Boise.

ABU Games hosts weekly Star Wars: Unlimited play, with most Saturdays dedicated to Standard constructed and the first Saturday of each month set aside for Booster Draft. The constructed option features a $10 entry and three Swiss rounds. Rewards follow a modified pack per win approach, every participant receives one three card OP booster, and promotional items may be on hand. For every eight players in attendance, one Carbonite Booster is up for grabs. The Booster Draft option has a $14 entry and also runs three Swiss rounds. Prizes use the same modified pack per win model, and players who do not earn a match win still receive a booster pack. All participants receive one three card OP booster, and additional promos may be available. A bonus buy offers the chance to pick up a discounted Standard SU: Unlimited Upgrade Pack.

Experience free live music in the cool mountain air at Bogus Basin. As part of Music on the Mountain, Mattravers Bell, Degler, and Monophonics will perform.

Flesh and Blood fans can take part in an Armory event centered on community play. The structure features three rounds in the Classic Constructed format with a modified pack-per-win prize model, and GEM packs are awarded at random. Everyone receives at least one pack. Entry is $7. Formats may rotate at times, with Classic Constructed as the standard and the final Saturday of each month set aside for Silver Age. Players of all experience levels can build and test decks, compete in friendly matches, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

At Books on the Vine, this hands-on workshop centers on the classic road opening oil of Louisiana Creole conjure, Van Van. Participants blend a personal bottle with lemongrass, vetiver, gingergrass, and citronella, plus a touch of Wovey's Magick, ingredients chosen to sweep away stagnant energy and clear the path ahead. The session also delves into the oil's lineage, tracing Afro Caribbean herbal wisdom, generations of rootwork, the guardians of the crossroads, and the ancestral currents that carried these plants into conjure practice. Everyone leaves with a handcrafted bottle, practical ways to use it for protection, blessings, luck, and opening the way, and a deeper understanding of its Vodou and Creole symbolism and the spirits who keep watch at the thresholds. Investment is $25.

Relax on the patio for free live performances by local Treasure Valley musicians. The music fills the ICCU Plaza outside Bogus Creek Lodge, creating an easygoing setting for an afternoon outdoors. Grab lunch and a beverage from Double R Ranch BBQ Smokehouse or Bogus Creek Grill and settle in for the show. This ongoing series takes place on Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day, and all ages are welcome.

Celebrate a grand opening while supporting Special Olympics Idaho at a free, family friendly gathering featuring live music from Good Time Charlie and dance performances by StarBelly School of Dance and the Boise Traditional Chinese Dance Group. Enjoy local bites from Papa Bear’s BBQ, MELT, Kona Ice, Sugar Rush, and Boise River Catering, and unwind with wellness offerings from Selah Massage Studio. Purchases and donations during the event help support Special Olympics Idaho and its athletes.

This biweekly Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament is the only video game competition at All About Games. A $5 venue fee is paid to AAG and a $5 tournament fee is paid to the tournament organizer, with Venmo preferred for the tournament fee. Participants are encouraged to bring a setup if they have one so matches can run smoothly. The tournament is run by a community member, so staff information may be limited. Registration is handled through Start.gg, and additional details are shared on the Idaho Melee Discord server.

Take part in a Cardfight! Vanguard event using Standard or D-Series format. The entry fee is $6. Participants pick up a Monthly Promo Pack each week along with one booster, and the top finisher earns an extra booster pack.

Experience a Magic: The Gathering sealed prerelease set in Middle-earth and inspired by The Hobbit. The tournament uses the sealed format, the entry fee is $45, and participation is capped at 64 players.

At Art Source Gallery, this creative workshop blends floral arranging with painting in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Participants start by building a fresh bouquet in a vase with guidance from local flower farmer Amy Henkel, then use that arrangement as the subject for a unique canvas painting with instruction from local artist Danica Factor. All supplies are included, such as a curated selection of blooms, a vase, an 8 by 10 canvas, acrylic paints, brushes, and everything needed to create comfortably. Everyone leaves with both the finished bouquet and their artwork. No prior experience is required, making it a fitting choice for beginners and experienced makers. It is a thoughtful option for a creative night out with friends, sisters, or a mother and daughter, and for anyone looking for a peaceful, art-filled experience. Cost is $60.

Spend focused time on your work in progress alongside other writers in a welcoming, supportive setting. This free open write night invites participants ages 13 and up from any genre. There is a short opportunity to connect with peers, then the emphasis shifts to getting words on the page. Pre-registration is required, and registration is free. Details about the session, the instructor, any prerequisites, and needed materials are provided during registration.

Doors open at 7:00 PM for Duck Club presents GELLI HAHA, featuring guests. This is a 21+ event and a valid ID is required for entry.

Catch Definitely Dead, a Grateful Dead tribute band bringing new life to the band’s timeless music. This is an in-person, all-ages show that runs for about 3 hours, with no refunds.

Will Swinton is performing live at Shrine Social Club. The show is scheduled for 7:00 PM local venue time.

EAZYBAKED and Distinct Motive are set to perform at Treefort Music Hall for an evening of electronic, EDM, and bass music. The show is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM, with all times listed in the venue’s local timezone.

An openly feminist stand-up showcase highlights women and nonbinary comics from the valley, using punchlines to take aim at the patriarchy. Hosted by Krystal Moore and produced by Moore Productions, it features a new lineup each month. The show takes place at Liquid Laughs Underground in the Solid Cellar at Solid Grill & Bar. Seats often fill quickly, so plan ahead.

Build confidence drawing the human form in a welcoming class designed for beginners. Participants ages 16 and up receive step by step guidance while completing figure studies from a live model. Each standalone session covers essentials like proportion, composition, value and form, and may spotlight specific challenges such as hands, facial features, the torso, foreshortened poses like lying down, or drapery over the body. Sessions also introduce optimal workspace setup, core materials, dynamic gesture work and practical measuring techniques. Short, supportive critiques during model breaks encourage learning through shared feedback. Regular practice in this format helps develop muscle memory for drawing more accurate figures without relying on reference, which can make creative flow feel easier. Please bring newsprint paper sized 14x17 or larger, charcoal pencils in 2B and 4B, Conté pencils or sticks, a kneaded eraser, and compressed charcoal sticks in 2B, 4B and 6B. For longer poses, drawing paper in 14x17 or larger is occasionally used. Personal materials are encouraged so practice can continue at home, and extra supplies are available if needed. All other supplies are provided. This ongoing biweekly Sunday offering is $40 and requires pre-registration. Instruction is led by Jessica, a classically trained fine artist and illustrator with more than 20 years of fine art experience.

The NAMPA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 2026 is taking place at Lakeview Park in Nampa. Plan for a day of arts and festival activities in the park.

Celebrate summer at the August edition of The Boise Flea at Boise State’s East Stadium Lot. Browse a large lineup of vendors and enjoy a lively marketplace atmosphere. Admission is always free, and parking is available in the Stadium Lot for $5 per car.

This entry level class offers a straightforward introduction to artistic swimming. Participants work on essential skills such as floating, improving overall swim technique, and learning the foundational movements used in artistic routines. Additional information and registration for a first free swim are available through the organizer’s website.

A new weekly group for teens meets on Sundays and blends social skills practice with DBT skill-building. Open enrollment allows participants to begin when they are ready. The meetings provide a welcoming setting where teens can connect with peers, strengthen communication and interpersonal abilities, and learn practical DBT tools for everyday life.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Sunday Duels at All About Games has an $8 entry fee. Players receive an OTS pack at registration, and additional OTS packs are awarded for each match win. Every participant is guaranteed at least one pack.

There is no cost to participate. Enjoy relaxed Pokemon card battles with fellow trainers, open to all ages and all skill levels. Collectors are welcome too, as participants often look to trade and you may find someone willing to swap for a Pokemon card you have been seeking.

At The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, acclaimed magicians deliver close-up wonders right at your table, creating an intimate and memorable experience. The performance unfolds in an elegant setting shaped by live music, storytelling, and carefully staged moments that draw you into Dieter’s world. Plan to arrive early for bar-side pre-show magic, then let the night unfold with thoughtfully made drinks and immersive touches throughout. This experience is intended for guests 18 and older. Seating is managed by a maitre d’, arranged by section and ticket type. To be seated together, contact the Morrison Center Ticket Office at 208.426.1111 at least 72 hours before the show after completing your purchase. All seats are ADA accessible, and the ticket office can note any specific accessibility needs.

Enjoy a Candlelight tribute concert featuring music from ABBA and Queen performed by a string quartet. The program includes favorites like “Dancing Queen,” “SOS,” “Mamma Mia,” “Waterloo,” along with Queen hits such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “I Want to Break Free,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and “We Are the Champions.” Doors open 45 minutes before the show, and entry isn’t available once it starts. This is a tribute experience, and seating is assigned on a first come, first served basis within each zone.

Paris Jackson performs live at Shrine Ballroom. This performance is open to guests of all ages.