Get out, Boise! Here’s your Idaho summer concerts and festivals guide 2021
If you’re itching to get out for some live music, the calendar is filling up fast.
Summer is just around the corner, and that means outdoor concerts and festivals.
Let’s be clear. This surprisingly massive list won’t be all of them.
After more than a year of live-music silence, organizers are scrambling to take advantage of recently dropped pandemic restrictions. Outdoor concert venues in the Boise area still plan to add a number of bands in late summer and early fall.
“We expect to have a full 10- to 12-show season at the Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater,” said promoter Creston Thornton, president of Live Nation’s mountain region. “It’s just going to start a little bit later than normal.”
A few early-season events have been axed. Bogus Fest won’t happen this year at Bogus Basin. The longtime Alive After Five series in downtown Boise has delayed its return until 2022. Same for the annual Boise Music Festival. The Idaho Botanical Garden has dropped its Outlaw Field series but is adding new, smaller shows, presented in the same spot through its Live on the Lawn series.
Here’s most of the major outdoor action we’re looking at so far. The list starts with Treasure Valley shows, followed by concerts and festivals in other parts of the state. (Mountain town road trips!)
Let’s party, Idaho.
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piKINic
When: Various dates
Where: Kin, 999 W. Main St., Boise
What: Concerts and food outside the restaurant with Doug Martsch (May 29 and June 1); Blood Lemon, With Child (June 5); Amuma Says No (June 6); Rider, Rolling Thunder (June 8); Charlie & the Changelings (June 12, free), Bread & Circus (June 13); The Country Club (June 15); Angel Abaya with McKenna Esteb (June 19, free); Ryan Curtis (June 20), Pure Ivy, Up is the Down is the (June 22); Afrosonics (June 26); Bart Budwig (June 27); Nick Delffs (June 29); Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio (July 4, 6) Eilen Jewell (July 10-11)
Details: kinboise.com/calendar
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Tuesdays on the Creek
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 28; free
Where: Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell
Who: Aaron Golay & The Original Sin (June 1); Stef & The Groove (June 8); The Sweet Lillies (June 15); Scott Pemberton (June 22); Pixie & The Partygrass Boys (June 29); The Boondock Boys (July 6); Pilot Error (July 13); Tejano Outlaw (July 20); Hardwood Heart (July 27); Tylor & the Train Robbers (Aug. 3); Brad Parsons (Aug. 17); Five Alarm Funk (Aug. 31); Band of Comerados (Sept. 7); Casio Dreams (Sept. 14); LDW (Sept. 21); The Last Call (Sept. 28)
Details: indiancreekplaza.com/tuesdays-on-the-creek
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Big Al’s Live on the Patio
When: 8 to 10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, June through September; free
Where: Big Al’s, 1900 N. Eagle Road, Meridian (The Village at Meridian)
Who: RJ McGinnis (June 4); Guilty Pleasure (June 5); Tom Taylor (June 11); Uncle Bob’s Band (June 12); RJ McGinnis (June 18); Shon Sanders (June 19); Generator Saints (June 25); Logan’s Heroes (June 26); Town of Trees (July 2); Red Light Challenge (July 3); Shon Sanders (July 9); Logan’s Heroes (July 10); Blaze & Kelly (July 16); Blues to Lose (July 17); Tom Taylor (July 23); Steady Rush (July 24); Blues Grooves (July 30); Town of Trees (July 31); Town of Trees (Aug. 6); Blues to Lose (Aug. 7); Generator Saints (Aug. 13); RJ McGinnis (Aug. 14); Red Light Challenge (Aug. 20); Guilty Pleasure (Aug. 21); Blaze & Kelly (Aug. 27); Sweet Briar Band (Aug. 28); Steady Rush (Sept. 3); Logan’s Heroes (Sept. 4); RJ McGinnis (Sept. 10); Blues to Lose (Sept. 11); Blaze & Kelly (Sept. 17); Shon Sanders (Sept. 18); Uncle Bob’s Band (Sept. 24); Red Light Challenge (Sept. 25)
Details: thevillageatmeridian.com
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McCleary’s Summer Concert Series
When: 8-11 p.m. Saturdays, June 5 through Aug. 28 (no band July 3), and 8-11 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 10 and 17; free
Where: Outdoor stage at McCleary’s Pub, 9155 W. State St., Boise
Who: Ryan Curtis (June 5); Casio Dreams (June 12); Audio Moonshine (June 19); Last Call (June 26); B-Town Hitmen (July 10); Jensen Buck (July 17); Gerry and the Dream Benders (July 24); RJ McGinnis (July 31); Barton and Bollar (Aug. 7); Bobby Dee Keys (Aug. 14); SoulPatch (Aug. 21); Funhouse (Aug. 28); Asphalt Buffet (Sept. 10); TBA (Sept. 17)
Details: 208-853-9910
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Art and Roses
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6; free
Where: Julia Davis Park, 700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise
What: Featuring more than 60 local artists showing their original paintings, framed photographs, pottery and sculpture. A percentage of all art sales will support the Rose Garden.
Details: 208-440-2975
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Open Air Concerts at the Winery
When: Gates at 11 a.m. and music at 1 p.m. Sundays, June 6 through Sept. 19 (no concert July 4)
Where: Ste. Chapelle Winery, 19348 Lowell Road, Caldwell
Who: Ryan Curtis Music (June 6); Groove Alley (June 13); High Street (June 20); Come Together Band (June 27); Smooth Avenue (July 11); The Moody Jews (July 18); The Mystics (July 25); Blues Addicts (Aug. 1); Jake Leg Blues Band (Aug. 8); Jonathan Warren and the Billy Goats (Aug. 15); Britnee Kellogg (Aug. 22); Nate Botsford (Aug. 29); Blues Brothers Rock n’ Soul Revue (Sept. 5); Timothy P. Swanson presents a Bob Seger Tribute (Sept. 12); High Street Party Band (Sept. 19)
Cost: $20 general, $15 wine club member
Details: stechapelle.com
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JUMP Jam & Jive Summer Concert Series
When: 6 to 8 p.m. various dates; free
Where: JUMP, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise
Who: Shon Sanders Band (June 8); Gretch N Rodgers Band (June 22); aka Belle (July 6); Afrosonics (July 20); Eilen Jewell (Aug. 3); Charlie & the Changelings (Aug. 17); Brook Faulk & The Family Corvidae (Aug. 31); Bill Coffey & His Cash Money Cousins (Sept. 7)
Details: facebook.com/jumpboise
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Gingerfest VI
When: 6 to 10 p.m. June 12
Where: Old Idaho Penitentiary, 2445 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise
What: Celebration of all things red, including “Best Ginger” contests for kids and adults, red beer and wine, food trucks, red-themed games and prizes, music, more.
Cost: $6 each, or two for $10
Details: history.idaho.gov/event/gingerfest-vi
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Summer Concert Series (Garden City)
When: 5:30 p.m. various dates.
Where: Expo Idaho grandstand, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. (Note: The same series also is happening in Pocatello on different dates. Details near bottom of article.)
Who: Jordan Davis (June 18); Tracy Lawrence (July 2); Easton Corbin (July 16); Randy Houser (July 23); Gabby Barrett (July 30); Mitchell Tenpenny (Aug. 6); Parmalee (Sept. 3); Kip Moore (Sept. 10)
Cost: $15-$30
Details: countryconcertseries.com
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Idaho’s Wild West Brewfest
When: 5 to 10 p.m. June 19
Where: Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell
What: Western-themed beer festival with 30-plus brews, live country music, mustache contest, more
Cost: Free to enter. $30 for mug and 12 taste tickets.
Details: indiancreekplaza.com/idaho-wild-west-brew-fest
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Great Garden Escape Concert Series
When: 6 to 9 p.m. select Thursdays, June 24 through Sept. 2 (5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19, 26, Sept. 2)
Where: Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise
Who: Afrosonics (June 24, sold out); Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio (July 1); Eilen Jewell (July 8, sold out); Grateful (July 15); Hillfolk Noir (July 22, sold out); Damien Jurado with Nick Delffs (July 29); Amuma Says No (Aug. 5); The Shivas (Aug. 12); Deep Sea Diver with Blood Lemon (Aug. 19); Boise Straight Ahead Big Band (Aug. 26); The Brothers Comatose (Sept. 2, sold out)
Cost: $15-$20 general, $12 IBG members, in advance only; free for ages 3 and younger
Details: idahobotanicalgarden.org
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Gazebo Concert Series
When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. various Thursdays; free
Where: Heritage Park, 185 E. State St., Eagle
Who: Blues Addicts (June 24); Pamela Demarche Band (July 29); Billy Blues Band (Aug. 26); The Generator Saints (Sept. 30)
Details: cityofeagle.org/1814/gazebo-concert-series
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Weiser River Music Festival
When: June 24-26, 2021
Where: Weiser
Who: Del McCoury Band (headliner), Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Scott Pemberton, Hillstomp, David Nudo, Stella, others
Details: weiserrivermusicfest.com
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Lavender Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 26-27; free
Where: The Lavender Merchant, 2871 Stroebel Road, Kuna.
What: U-pick lavender $5 a bunch, artisans, lunch and desserts, lavender lemonade, handmade lavender products, make-and-take flower crown
Details: thelavendermerchant.net
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God and Country Festival
When: June 30; free
Where: Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa
What: Christian bands, military appreciation, civic awards, food, fellowship, fireworks
Details: godandcountryfestival.com
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Thursday Thunder
When: 6 p.m. Thursdays, July 8 through Aug. 26; free
Where: Boise Spectrum Center, 7609 W. Overland Road, Boise
Who: $oul Purpo$e (July 8); Pilot Error (July 15); Casio Dreams (July 22); Redstone (July 29); Generation Saints (Aug 5); The Front (Aug. 12); $oul Purpo$e (Aug. 19); Pilot Error (Aug. 26)
Details: boisespectrumcenter.com
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Eagle Fun Days
When: July 9-10; free
Where: Downtown Eagle and parks
What: Family activities, vendors, fireworks, fun run, music, car show, music, Wet and Wild Parade (July 10), cornhole tournament, fire truck pull, Rocky Mountain oyster feed (July 10), more
Details: cityofeagle.org/498/eagle-fun-days
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Outlaw Field Summer Concert Series
Update: The 2021 series has been canceled. The Outlaw Field Summer Concert Series will return in 2022.
Where: Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise
Details: idahobotanicalgarden.org
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Live on the Lawn series
When: Various dates
Where: Idaho Botanical Garden lawn, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise
Who: Built To Spill with The French Tips, Blood Lemon (July 21); Watchhouse (formerly known as Mandolin Orange, Aug. 20); more shows expected to be added
Cost: $32-$37
Details: theduckclub.com/shows
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Canyon County Fair concerts
When: 8 p.m. July 29-31; free with paid fair admission
Where: Canyon County Fairgrounds, 111 S. 22nd Ave., Caldwell
Who: Lee Brice with Lainey Wilson (July 29); Mark Chesnutt with Niko Moon (July 30); Rodney Atkins with The Powell Brothers (July 31)
Details: 208-455-8500, canyoncountyfair.org
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Boise Soul Food Festival
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 7
Where: Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park, 1900 N. Records Ave., Meridian
What: African-American inspired soul food, music, dancing, and local retail vendors
Details: boisesoulfood.org
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KYMfest
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 8; free
Where: Lakeview Park, 1304 7th St. N., Nampa
What: The “KindYourMind” Festival is a family event that hosts community resources, live entertainment, merchandise vendors, local artisans and food
Details: kymfest.com
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Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater concerts
When: Various dates
Where: 16200 Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa
Who: Dierks Bentley with Riley Green and Parker McCollum (Aug. 14); Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Aug. 18); Dirty Heads, Sublime With Rome, Hirie (Aug. 30); Jonas Brothers with Kelsea Ballerini (Sept. 2); Death Cab for Cutie with Deep Sea Diver (Sept. 7); Foreigner (Sept. 15)
Details: fordidahocenter.com
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Albertsons Boise Open nightly concerts
When: Aug. 19-21
Where: Hillcrest Country Club, 4610 W. Hillcrest Drive, Boise
Who: Old Dominion (Aug. 19); REO Speedwagon (Aug. 20); Sammy Hagar and The Circle (Aug. 21)
Details: albertsonsboiseopen.com
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Western Idaho Fair grandstand concerts
When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23-27, free with paid fair admission
Where: Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City
Who: Granger Smith (Aug. 23); Nelly (Aug. 24); Chicago (Aug. 25); Jon Pardi (Aug. 26); Seether (Aug. 27)
Details: idahofair.com
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Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic
When: Sept. 1-5; free
Where: Ann Morrison Park, 1000 S. Americana Blvd., Boise
What: Hot air balloon launches are weather-permitting; they typically take place at 7:15 a.m. and last until as late as 9 a.m.
Details: spiritofboise.com
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Experience Garden City
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 4; free
Where: 34th Street (Chinden Boulevard to the Greenbelt).
What: More than 80 vendors including local wineries and breweries, food trucks, local artists, community and business vendors, kids’ activities, music, more.
Details: experiencegardencity.afrogs.org
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Art in the Park
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 10-11 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 12; free
Where: Julia Davis Park, 700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise
What: Contemporary arts and crafts, food, hands-on children activities.
Details: boiseartmuseum.org/art-in-the-park
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Meridian Symphony presents ‘A Tribute to Gene Kleiner’
When: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10; free
Where: Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park Bandshell, 1900 N. Records Ave., Meridian
What: Bring a picnic and a blanket or chair and enjoy some of the Symphony’s “greatest hits,” including a selection of classical music and popular tunes. The outdoor concert is the signature musical event of Meridian Art Week.
Details: 208-891-2721, meridiansymphony.org
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Hyde Park Street Fair
When: Sept. 17-19
Where: Camel’s Back Park, Boise
What: Live bands, food vendors, arts and crafts booths, beer in the park in a family-friendly setting
Details: northendboise.org/hyde-park-street-fair
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Treefort Music Fest
When: Sept. 22-26
Where: Multiple downtown Boise venues, outdoors and indoors
Who: 350-plus acts including Japanese Breakfast, Calexico, Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah, The Marías, Andy Shauf, Habibi, more
Details: treefortmusicfest.com
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Sun Valley Pavilion concerts
When: 7 p.m. various dates
Where: 300 Dollar Road, Sun Valley
Who: Twisted Pine (June 14-15); more shows expected to be added
Details: svmoa.org/events
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Sun Valley Music Festival
When: Various dates, July 26-Aug. 19
Where: Sun Valley Pavilion, 300 Dollar Road, Sun Valley
What: “An all-star cast of the best musicians from across the continent, the Sun Valley Music Festival orchestra is comprised of over 100 musicians from major orchestras throughout the United States and Canada.”
Details: svmusicfestival.org.
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Summer Concert Series
When: 5:30 p.m. various dates
Where: Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre, 2375 Olympus Drive, Pocatello
Who: Jordan Davis (June 19); Tracy Lawrence (July 3); Easton Corbin (July 17); Randy Houser (July 24); Gabby Barrett (July 29); Mitchell Tenpenny (Aug. 7); Parmalee (Sept. 4); Kip Moore (Sept. 11)
Cost: $15-$30
Details: countryconcertseries.com
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Gordy’s Hwy 30 Music Fest
When: Gates at 2 p.m. and music at 3 p.m. June 23, and gates at 11 a.m. and music at 11:45 a.m. June 24-26
Where: Twin Falls County Fairgrounds, 215 Fair Ave., Filer
Who: Aaron Lewis, Night Ranger, Koe Wetzel, Hardy, others
Cost: $79 per day or $249 for four-day pass. Free for children 12 and younger with paying adult.
Details: hwy30musicfest.com
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Ketchum Arts Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 9-10 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11; free
Where: Festival Meadow on Sun Valley Road, Sun Valley
What: More than 100 Idaho artists, food, beer, free kids’ activity tent, more.
Details: ketchumartsfestival.com
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Summer Music Festival at Roseberry
When: July 15-18
Where: Roseberry
Who: Yonder Mountain String Band, John Craigie, Mipso, Daniel Rodriguez Band, more
Details: thesummermusicfestival.com
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Festival at Sandpoint
When: 7:30 p.m. various dates
Where: War Memorial Field, 855 Ontario St., Sandpoint
Who: St. Paul & The Broken Bones with The Dip (July 29); Jake Owen with Colby Acuff (July 30); Shakey Graves with Tre Burt (July 31); Keb ‘Mo’ & Band (Aug. 1); Gladys Knight (Aug. 5); REO Speedwagon (Aug. 7)
Details: festivalatsandpoint.com
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Sawtooth Valley Gathering
When: Aug. 5-8
Where: Sawtooth Valley Pioneer Park, Stanley
Who: Fruition, The California Honey Drops, The Lil Smokies, Steve Poltz, The Brothers Comatose, Hot Buttered Rum, Polyrhythmics, more
Details: sawtoothvalleygathering.com
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Yellow Pine Music and Harmonica Festival
When: Aug. 5-7
Where: Yellow Pine
Details: yellowpinefestival.org
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Braun Brothers Reunion
When: Aug. 12-14
Where: Challis
Who: Reckless Kelly, Micky and the Motorcars, Ned LeDoux, Cody Canada & The Departed, The Braun Family, Django Walker, more
Details: braunbrothersreunion.com
This story was originally published May 26, 2021 at 4:00 AM.