Did Treefort Music Fest feel extra crowded and ‘epic,’ Boise? Here’s why
Hunger-testing waits at food trucks. Scrambling vendors running out of beer.
Oceans of humanity rolling through Julia Davis Park.
If your aching bladder tried to tell you something as you waited in line for a portable toilet at Treefort Music Fest last month, you were not alone.
Crowds really were bigger this year — as in record size.
“When the beer’s running out,” Festival Director Eric Gilbert agreed in a phone interview, “something grew.”
Attendance at the five-day festival March 26-30 in downtown Boise increased by roughly 20% over last year, he said. Five-day passes sold out during the event, which lured an estimated 15,000 to 17,000 each day, according to a press release.
Rocking 52 Boise venues — primarily downtown — the 13th edition of Treefort featured more than 420 acts and 790 official events (plus more unofficial ones).
Describing it as a “tricky” year, Gilbert said the goal was to keep expenses in check yet continue to grow Treefort for future success. To help alleviate longer-than-expected lines, additional portable toilets were brought into Julia Davis Park mid-festival, he added.
Major draws at the outdoor Main Stage — such as Shakey Graves, Sofi Tukker, Remi Wolf and Bright Eyes — helped transform the music and arts festival into what the press release described as “an epic success.”
“I’m incredibly proud of what our team accomplished this past year,” Gilbert said in a prepared statement. “After a focused effort to restore the sustainability and future of the festival, Treefort 2025 was stronger than ever. This year marked our most successful edition to date — not just in numbers, but in spirit.”
Treefort grew for multiple reasons, Gilbert said by phone. Those ranged from marketing strategies to Boiseans becoming more accustomed to the festival’s core being in Julia Davis Park, where it moved in 2023.
“I just felt like coming into this year, there was more momentum,” he said. “We strategically booked bigger acts at the Main Stage. I definitely think that played a role for sure.”
Treefort also did not coincide with spring break this year, which he thinks helped bump attendance.
The next Treefort is March 25-29, 2026. Five-day passes are available now during a limited Hangover Sale for the lowest price they’ll be sold.
This year’s Treefort was “a testament to the dedication of our staff, the support of our community, and the power of creative resilience,” Gilbert said. “We’re excited about the road ahead and deeply grateful for everyone who helped make it possible.”
This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM.