Words & Deeds

This huge Idaho concert and festival guide will rock your summer, Boise

Ready to rock, Idaho? Outdoor concert and festival season is here.

If you’re smart, you’ll start planning your summer now. Because it’s gonna be a jam-packed doozy.

The Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater will host more than two dozen shows in Nampa. Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden is featuring at least 16 this season. Popular annual traditions such as Alive After Five and the Hyde Park Street Fair promise to draw big crowds. Want to do some camping? Festivals like the annual Sawtooth Valley Gathering and Braun Brothers Reunion beckon.

Here’s a guide to fun — ranging from music, food and arts festivals in the Boise area to scenic mountain road trips.

Outlaw Field Summer Concert Series

Where: Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise

Who: Lord Huron (May 23, sold out), Khruangbin with John Carroll Kirby (May 29), The Black Keys with Hermanos Gutierrez (May 30, sold out), Goose (June 1), Earth, Wind & Fire (June 17), Modest Mouse (June 29), Charley Crockett (July 1), Lyle Lovett and his Large Band (July 2), Lake Street Dive (July 8), Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglass (July 23), Sam Barber (Aug. 7), The Head & the Heart with Wilderado and Ingrid Andress (Aug. 14), Chicago (Aug. 27), Cypress Hill and Atmosphere with Lupe Fiasco and The Pharcyde (Aug. 29), Big Thief (Sept. 21)

Details: idahobotanicalgarden.org/outlaw-field

Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden will stay busy with music through September.
Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden will stay busy with music through September. Kip Stroud

Idaho Shakespeare Festival

When: May 23-Sept. 28

Where: Idaho Shakespeare Festival, 5657 E. Warm Springs Ave., Boise

What: “Twelfth Night” (May 23-June 7), “Noises Off” (June 13-July 5), “Sunday in the Park with George” (July 11-Aug. 2), “Dial M for Murder” (Aug. 8-30), “Peter and the Starcatcher” (Sept. 5-28)

Details: idahoshakespeare.org

Green Acres Idaho Bluegrass Springfest

When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 26 (Memorial Day), free

Where: Green Acres Food Truck Park, 1401 Shoreline Drive, Boise

Who: Bluegrass performances on Memorial Day by Fiddle Express, River City Rounders, Cheatgrass, Braid, Tater Patch, Dry Buck, Tree City Travelers, Half Fast Hillbillies

Details: greenacresboise.com

Tuesdays on the Creek

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 30, free; Farm to Fork Farmers Market also runs from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.

Where: Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell

Who: Crossroads (May 27), The Junebugs (June 3), Eli Howard & the Greater Good w/Jesse Dayne & the Sagebrush Drifters (June 10), Rob Leines w/Ace Monroe (June 17), The Coffis Brothers w/Brad Parsons (June 24), Bon Bon Vivant (July 1), The Sweet Lillies (July 8), Cruz Contreras and the Black Lillies (July 15), Jeremy McComb’s Honky Tonk Circus w/Audio Moonshine (July 22), Reb & the Good News (July 29), Olivia Harms and the Roadrunners (Aug. 5), Stef & the Groove (Aug. 12), Scott Pemberton w/Mos (Aug. 19), Gasoline Lollipops (Aug. 26), Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters w/Bill Coffey & His Cash Money Cousins (Sept. 2), High Pine Whiskey Yell w/Tree City Travelers (Sept. 9), Object Heavy w/Ashley Rose Band (Sept. 16), Blackwater Railroad w/Jay William Miller (Sept. 23), Redstone (Sept. 30).

Details: indiancreekplaza.com/tuesdays-on-the-creek

City of Eagle Concert Series

When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. various Thursdays; free

Where: Front lawn of Eagle Public Library, 100 N. Stierman Way, Eagle

Who: The Jeff Engelbert Band (May 29), Sam Henry (June 26), The Noteables (July 31), Orale! (Aug. 28)

Details: cityofeagle.org/1814/Eagle-Concert-Series

Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater concerts

Where: 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa

Who: Hardy w/Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., McCoy Moore (May 30), Ivan Cornejo (June 5), Bi-Mart Country Bash with Scotty McCreery, Matt Stell, HunterGirl, Chase Wright (June 12), Cody Jinks w/Tanner Usrey (June 26), Treaty Oak Revival (July 18), Keith Urban w/Alana Springsteen, Chase Matthew, and Karley Scott Collins (July 19), CAAMP w/Whitney (July 22), Slightly Stoopid w/Iration, Little Stranger (July 26), Red Clay Strays w/ Michael Marcagi (June 27), Dierks Bentley (Aug. 1), My Morning Jacket w/Melt (Aug. 6), Old Dominion w/Ernest, Redferrin (Aug. 7), “Weird” Al Yankovic (Aug. 9), Glass Animals w/Orla Gartland (Aug. 15), Mt. Joy (Aug. 17), Riley Green w/Ella Langley, Mike Ryan, Preston Cooper (Aug. 23), $uicide Boy$ w/Night Lovell, Germ, Joeyy (Aug. 24), Blues Traveler/Gin Blossoms w/Spin Doctors (Aug. 26), Toto / Christopher Cross (Aug. 28), Train w/Edwin McCain (Sept. 10), Warren Zeiders w/Chayce Beckham (Sept. 12), Thomas Rhett w/Tucker Wetmore (Sept. 19), Chevelle w/Asking Alexandria, Dead Poet Society (Oct. 1), Cole Swindell w/ Priscilla Block, Logan Crosby (Oct. 11)

Details: fordidahocenter.com

The Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater is already in full swing.
The Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater is already in full swing. Mike Miller AM Idaho

Greek Food Festival

When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 30 and 31, free to enter

Where: Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2618 W. Bannock St., Boise

What: Authentic Greek food, homemade Greek pastries, live Greek music and dancing

Details: boisegreekfestival.com

Art & Roses

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 1; free

Where: Julia Davis Park, 700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise

What: Meet more than 100 Idaho artists, plus enjoy activities, music and more. A portion of the sales benefit the Julia Davis Memorial Rose Garden.

Details: facebook.com/ArtandRosesBoise

JUMP Jam & Jive Summer Concert Series

When: 6 p.m. every other Tuesday, June 3 through Aug. 26, free

Where: JUMP, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise

Who: Bill Coffey & His Cash Money Cousins w/Boise Rock School (June 3), Emily Stanton Band w/Boise Rock School (June 17), Country Club w/Idaho Songwriters Association (July 1), Bernie Reilly Band w/Idaho Songwriters Association (July 15), Brook Faulk & the Family Corvidae w/Idaho Songwriters Association (July 29), Jonathan Warren and the Billy Goats w/Boise Hive (Aug. 12), Rebecca Scott w/Boise Hive (Aug. 26)

Details: jumpboise.org/jump-jam-and-jive

Tamarack Summer concert/festival series

When: June 6-Sept. 27

Where: Tamarack Resort amphitheater in front of The Village

Who/what: Water Tower (June 6), Cash’D Out (June 27), Fourth of July celebration (July 3-5), Art & Wine Festival featuring Jeff Englebert, Natalie Soma, Jeff Crosby (Aug. 2), Bikes, Brews and Bluegrass Festival (Aug. 31 featuring Honey Trail, Benson Burners Bluegrass Band, Wooly Buggers, Dry Buck, High Pine Whiskey Yell), Oktoberfest with tapping of the keg, Edelweiss Band, stein-holding competition and pretzel toss, Sunsmith (Sept. 27)

Cost: Free. Tickets required for Art & Wine Festival wine samples, Oktoberfest meal punch cards and Bikes, Brews and Bluegrass beer tastings

Details: tamarackidaho.com/event

Big Al’s Live on the Patio

When: 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, June 6-Sept. 6, free; also, line dancing from 6 to 7 p.m. Fridays with Dirt Road Dancing

Where: Big Al’s, 1900 N. Eagle Road, Meridian (The Village at Meridian)

Who: Boise Blue Sky Band (June 6), Phil ‘n the Blanks (June 7), Bounty Hunters (June 13), Red Light Challenge (June 14), January Baker (June 20), The Noteables (June 21), Soul Patch (June 27), Steady Rush (June 28), American Tradition (July 4), Off The Record (July 5), Almost Famous (July 11), Casio Dreams (July 12), Cole Brooks Band (July 18), The Main Event (July 19), Gina Browning Band (July 25), Gary Tackett & Full Moon Rude (July 26), Ben Breiding Band (Aug. 1), Kill-A-Brew (Aug. 2), Sam Henry Band (Aug. 8), Sean Hatton Band (Aug. 9), Sweet Briar Band (Aug. 15), The MiXx (Aug. 16), Heath Owens Band (Aug. 22), Shon Sanders Band (Aug. 23), Shot Glass (Aug. 29), Allegedly A Band (Aug. 30), Layne Bowen (Sept. 5), Dark Desert Highway (Sept. 6).

Details: ilovebigals.com/event/live-on-the-patio

Kleiner Park Live

When: 7 p.m. every other Friday, June 6 through Aug. 15, free

Where: Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park, 1900 N. Records Ave., Meridian

Who: Dark Desert Highway (June 6), Push2Play (June 20), Orale! (July 18), Stef & the Groove (Aug. 1), Redstone (Aug. 15)

Details: meridiancity.org/kleinerparklive

Kleiner Park Live happens every other Friday for a large portion of the summer.
Kleiner Park Live happens every other Friday for a large portion of the summer. meridiancity.org

Hells Canyon Days

When: June 6 and 7

Where: Cambridge

What: Bulls & Broncs rodeo, Car & Truck Show, food and art vendors, Eli Young Band, more

Details: cambridgeidaho.com/community-events

Mountain Brewers Beer Fest

When: Noon to 5 p.m. June 7

Where: Sandy Downs, 6855 S. 15th East, Idaho Falls

What: Hundreds of beers to sample, food vendors, live music, raffle and silent auction

Cost: $40 advance through June 1, $50 afterward (no gate sales)

Details: northamericanbrewers.org

Emmett Cherry Festival

When: June 11-14; free

Where: Emmett City Park, 400 E. Main St., and throughout community

What: Daily entertainment, live bands, parade and children’s parade, contests, carnival ($40 advance price), more.

Details: emmettcherryfestival.com, facebook.com/EmmettCherryFestival

Great Garden Escape Concert Series

When: 6 p.m. Thursdays, June 13-Sept. 5

Where: Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise

Who: Sove the Second (June 5), Bread & Circus (June 12), Mungo (June 19), Boise Straight Ahead (June 26), Turtle Poppers (Aug. 28), Hillfolk Noir (Sept. 4), Ryan Curtis (Sept. 18), Elevator Operator (Sept. 25)

Cost: $15 non-member, $10 member, $5 youth 4-12. Free for ages 3 and younger. Free parking included.

Details: idahobotanicalgarden.org/greatgardenescape

Sun Valley Pavilion events

Where: 300 Dollar Road, Sun Valley

Who: Summer Stand-up Comedy Showcase (June 14), Hotel California (8 p.m. June 24), Ballet Sun Valley (June 28 and 29), Sun Valley Writers’ Conference (July 19-21), Sun Valley Music Festival (July 28-Aug. 21)

Details: sunvalley.com/events

Gene Kleiner Day

When: 4 p.m. June 14, free

Where: Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park Bandshell, 1900 N. Records Ave., Meridian

Who: Meridian Symphony celebrates Meridian’s Gene Kleiner Day. Folding chairs, lawn blankets and picnics welcome.

Details: meridiansymphony.org

Ste. Chappelle Open Air Concerts

When: June 15-Aug. 16

Where: Ste. Chapelle Winery, 19348 Lowell Road, Caldwell

Who: Summer Grove Band (June 15), Dave Nudo Band (July 19), Hit Machine (Aug. 16), Petty Theft: A Tom Petty Tribute Band (Sept. 13)

Cost: $40 general, $35 wine club members. Each ticket includes a complimentary glass of wine. Season passes and VIP tables also available.

Details: stechapelle.com/events

National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest & Festival

When: June 16-21

Where: Weiser

What: Thousands descend upon this town annually for contests, jams, a parade (June 21), camping and more. This is the 72nd year.

Details: fiddlecontest.org

Alive After Five

When: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays from June 18-July 30, free

Where: Grove Plaza, North 8th and West Main streets, Boise

Who: DUG w/Tater Patch (June 18), Cat Clyde w/Brand New Companion (June 25), Yarn w/Bread & Circus (July 2), Mitchum Yacoub w/Lobo Lara (July 9), Afrosonics w/Unity (July 16), Glitterfox w/Red Caroline (July 23), Boot Juice w/Surf Green Machine (July 30)

Details: downtownboise.org/AA5

The Alive After 5 concert series happens in The Grove Plaza in downtown Boise throughout the summer.
The Alive After 5 concert series happens in The Grove Plaza in downtown Boise throughout the summer. Photo provided by Downtown Boise Association

Meridian Dairy Days

When: June 18-21, free

Where: Meridian

What: Dairy cattle and livestock shows, carnival (requires paid wristband), princess pageant, food vendors, music, golf tournament, parade (Saturday), more

Details: dairydays.org

Thursday Thunder

When: 6 p.m. Thursdays from June 19 through Aug. 28 (no show July 3)

Where: Boise Spectrum, 7709 W. Overland Road

Who: Asphalt Buffet (June 19), Casio Dreams (June 26), Sweet Briar (July 10), Redstone (July 17), Problematic (July 24), Phil ‘N the Blanks (July 31), Guilty Pleasure (Aug. 7), Casio Dreams (Aug. 14), $oul Purpo$e (Aug. 21), Almost Famous (Aug. 28). Plus, Spectrum specials, raffle drawings for movie tickets, Legends gift certificates and more.

Sawtooth Valley Gathering

When: June 19-22

Where: Mountain Village Resort, 220 Eva Falls Ave., Stanley

Who: Multiple stages with 35-plus performances in a gorgeous setting featuring Leftover Salmon, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Shovels & Rope, The Cat Empire, Neal Francis, many more. Plus food, arts and craft vendors, workshops, on- and off-site camping.

Cost: Multiple options including festival pass ($315), day pass ($100-$125), more

Details: sawtoothvalleygathering.com

Hetero Awesome Fest

When: June 20-21

Where: Cecil D. Andrus Park, Boise

What: “A full-on celebration of family values with guts” featuring live music, beer, wine, speeches

Details: heteroawesome.org

Boise Music Festival

When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 21

Where: Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City

Who: Idaho’s largest one-day music festival includes Tyler Hubbard, Flo Rida, Luke Grimes, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Treach (from Naughty By Nature), Neon Trees, Jonah Marais. Also, more than 40 local bands playing throughout the day on five local stages, a carnival, arts and crafts vendors,food courts, beer and wine gardens and an air-conditioned Kids Zone in the Expo Idaho building.

Cost (all-inclusive): $33.25 general (accompanied kids 12 and under free), $89.17 pit pass, $150.67 Cool Zone; carnival wristbands $44.44

Details: boisemusicfestival.com

Sun Valley Brewfest

When: Noon to 5 p.m. June 21

Where: Ketchum Town Square

What: Dozens of breweries, cider producers, wineries and ready-to-drink beverage producers, plus local food and music.

Cost: $30 advance (through June 1), $40 door

Details: sunvalleybrewfest.com

Bogus Basin Music on the Patio

When: 2 to 5 p.m. June 21-Sept. 21, free

Where: ICCU Base Area Plaza in front of Simplot Lodge at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area

Who: Dan Cribb (June 21), Jordan Shaw (June 22), Brandon Pritchett (June 29), Ashley Rose (July 4), Andy Crosby (July 6), Banjo Matt (July 12), Dos Amigos (July 13), Olivia Frost (July 20), Dan Costello (July 26), Andrew Kinsey (July 27), Jay Miller (Aug. 3), Honey Trail (Aug. 9), Caldy (Aug. 10), Kayleigh McGrath (Aug. 17), Lindzey Autumn (Aug. 23), Natalie Soma (Aug. 24), Ron Wood (Aug. 31), Spencer Batt (Sept. 1), Girl in the Garden (Sept. 6), Sam Henry (Sept. 7), Vibeka (Sept. 13), Andrew Kinsey (Sept. 14), Shepherd Bridge (Sept. 20), Nick Mattera (Sept. 21)

Details: bogusbasin.org

Curtis Stigers Under the Stars

When: 7:30 p.m. June 23 and Sept. 22

Where: Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater, 5657 Warm Springs Ave., Boise

Cost: $14.84-$68.90

Details: curtisstigers.com/tour

Eagle Fun Days

When: June 27-28; free

Where: Downtown Eagle and parks

What: Friday the 27th is Family Fun Night at Eagle High School, but it will not be followed by fireworks this year. Saturday the 28th features the Eagle Fun Days Fun Run, a vendor market, live music, car show, Wet & Wild Parade, cornhole tournament, Rotary ball drop and the fire truck pull.

Details: cityofeagle.org/498/Eagle-Fun-Days

The Wet & Wild Parade is a highlight of Eagle Fun Days each summer.
The Wet & Wild Parade is a highlight of Eagle Fun Days each summer. Katherine Jones Statesman file

Konnexion Music Festival

When: June 27-29

Where: Horseshoe Bend

What: The 10th and final year of “Idaho’s largest electronic music festival.” Performers include A Hundred Drums, Pineo & Loeb, Criso, So Sus, many more. Also, art installations and theme camps, food and retail vendors, performance artists, live painters, artistic sculptures.

Cost: $195 festival pass (other options also offered, including vehicle/camping passes)

Details: konnexionmusicfestival.com

Baldy Bluebird Music Festival

When: 5:30 p.m. July 3-4, free

Where: River Run Plaza, Bald Mountain, Sun Valley

Who: Ian Munsick w/Corey Kent, Jeremy McComb (July 3), Kip Moore w/The Castellows, Jeff Crosby Band (July 4, fireworks after show)

Details: sunvalley.com/explore/holidays/fourth-of-july

Idaho’s Wild West Brewfest

When: 4 to 8 p.m. June 28; free

Where: Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell

What: Western-themed festival with breweries (beer-tasting tickets must be purchased); live music from Jeff Crosby and Cash’d Out, plus vendors and a beard-and-mustache contest.

Details: indiancreekplaza.com/idaho-wild-west-brew-fest

Tamarack Fourth of July

When: July 3-5

Where: Tamarack Resort, various locations

Who/what: Dan Costello (3 to 5 p.m. July 3), Andy Crosby (4 to 6 p.m. July 3 at Seven Devils), Jeff Crosby (6:30 to 9 p.m. July 3 at Seven Devils), bike decorating and parade (noon to 3 p.m. July 4), John Nemeth and band (3 to 5:30 p.m. July 4), Grateful: A Tribute Band (6 to 9 p.m. July 4), fireworks at marina at Poison Creek (10 p.m. July 4), dog parade and costume contest (noon to 3 p.m. July 5), Casio Dreams (6 to 9 p.m. July 5)

Details: tamarackidaho.com/event/4th-of-july-festival

City of Boise Fourth of July fireworks

When: July 4. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Fireworks show starts at dusk (around 10:15 p.m.)

Where: Ann Morrison Park, 1000 S. Americana Blvd., Boise

What: In addition to the fireworks show, food and drinks (including beer and wine) will be sold at the park. The interactive fountain will feature a red, white and blue-themed LED light show and water sequence. The park will be closed to vehicles all day, so attendees should plan to walk or bike. ADA parking will be available inside the park for those with a placard.

Details: cityofboise.org/departments/parks-and-recreation/fourthofjuly

Brundage Fourth of July Music Festival

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 4

Where: Brundage Mountain Amphitheater, 3890 Goose Lake Road, McCall

What: Kick off the morning with the Cat Track 5k/10k running events, followed by a day of free live music. (Lineup not revealed yet.)

Details: brundage.com

Bogus Basin Music on the Mountain series

When: Alternating Sundays July 5 through Aug. 30, free

Where: Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area

Who: The Fjord People, Small Paul, High Step Society (July 5), The Other Room There, McKenna Esteb, BabyJake (July 19), Brand New Companion, Mungo, The Gold Souls (Aug. 2), Mattravers-Bell, Ryan Curtis, Jeff Crosby (Aug. 16), Red Caroline, Mondo Pondo, Kendra Morris (Aug. 30)

Details: bogusbasin.org

Brundage TGIF Summer Concert Series

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, July 11-Aug. 29, free

Where: Brundage Mountain Resort, 3890 Goose Lake Road, McCall

Who: Darci Carlson Band (July 11), Great Bait (July 18), Reb & the Good News (July 25), TBD (Aug. 1), Ellis Bullard (Aug. 8), Daniel Rodriguez (Aug. 15), Mobius Trip (Aug. 22), Jeff Crosby Band (Aug. 29)

Details: brundage.com/summer-concerts

Ketchum Arts Festival

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 11-12 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 13, free

Where: Festival Meadow on Sun Valley Road, Sun Valley

What: More than 100 Idaho artists, food, beer, free activity tent for kids

Details: ketchumartsfestival.com

Tacotopia Festival

When: Noon July 12

Where: Memorial Stadium, 5600 N. Glenwood St., Garden City

What: A throwback hip-hop festival for fans 21 and older with Lil Jon, Ginuwine, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins and more, plus tacos, adult beverages, Lucha Libre wrestling, an exotic car showcase and other entertainment.

Cost: $59 and up

Details: tixr.com/groups/tacosandtequila/events/tacotopia-festival-boise-127927

Summer Music Festival at Roseberry

When: July 17-19

Where: Roseberry

Who: Jesse Roper, Dustbowl Revival, The Fretliners, The Dead & Down, David Henry Band, others.

Cost: $20 Thursday, $45 Friday or Saturday, $85 two-day pass for Friday and Saturday), $90 three-day pass

Details: thesummermusicfestival.com

Canyon County Fair concerts

When: July 24-27

Where: Canyon County Fairgrounds, 111 S. 22nd Ave., Caldwell

Who: Ian Munsick, Rodney Atkins (July 24), Craig Moore, Ned LeDoux (July 25), Joe Dee Messina, Cousin Curtiss (July 26), Latino Festival (July 28)

Cost: Free with paid fair admission: $6.78 general, $4.52 seniors and children, free for ages 5 and younger, in advance. Tickets are slightly more at the gate. Concert pit and reserved seating available for $39.55.

Details: canyoncountyfair.org

Festival at Sandpoint Summer Concert Series

When: July 24-Aug. 3

Where: War Memorial Field, 801 Ontario St., Sandpoint

Who: Neon Trees (July 24), Sierra Ferrell w/The Brudie Brothers (July 25), Toad the Wet Sprocket w/Semisonic, Sixpence None the Richer (July 26), Third Eye Blind w/Snacks at Midnight (July 27), Brothers Osborne (July 31), Kansas w/Vika & the Velvets (Aug. 1), Dispatch w/John Butler (Aug. 2), Grand Finale: Sounds of Summer (Aug. 3).

Details: festivalatsandpoint.com

Jaialdi

When: July 29-Aug. 3

Where: Boise venues including the Basque Block, Idaho Central Arena, Expo Idaho

What: Live music including international performers Arkaitz, Gatibu, Neomak, Tio Teronen Semeak, Xabi Aburruzaga, plus Basque dancing, street dancing, sports competitions, food, drink and more.

Details: jaialdi.com

Performers from Boise’s Oinkari Basque Dancers will be part of Jaialdi.
Performers from Boise’s Oinkari Basque Dancers will be part of Jaialdi. Kyle Green kgreen@idahostatesman.com

Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival

When: July 31-Aug. 2

Where: Yellow Pine

What: Aaron Golay Band, Turtle Poppers, Side Hustle, more. Also, harmonica workshops, children’s harmonica lessons, demos, historical presentations, Great Harmonica Run, more

Details: yellowpinefestival.org

Braun Brothers Reunion

When: Aug. 7-9

Where: Challis Golf Course, 331 Golf Club Lane, Challis

Who: Micky and the Motorcars, Reckless Kelly, Jeff Crosby Band, Cody Canada & The Departed, American Aquarium, Silverada, Shinyribs, Dale Watson, Corb Lund, many more

Cost: $115 day pass, $185 weekend pass (Friday-Saturday), $245 three-day pass

Details: braunbrothersreunion.com

Boise Soul Food Festival

When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 9; free to attend

Where: Julia Davis Park, 700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise

What: A celebration of African-American inspired soul food, music, dancing, Black culture and businesses

Details: boisesoulfood.org

Albertsons Boise Open concerts

When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14-16

Where: Hillcrest Country Club, 4610 W. Hillcrest Drive, Boise

Who: Darius Rucker (Aug. 14, sold out), Lynyrd Skynyrd (Aug. 15, sold out), Brothers Osborne (Aug. 16)

Cost: $35

Details: albertsonsboiseopen.com

Concerts return to the Albertsons Boise Open at Hillcrest Country Club this summer.
Concerts return to the Albertsons Boise Open at Hillcrest Country Club this summer. Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com

Western Idaho Fair grandstand concerts

When: 8 p.m. Aug. 18-22, free with paid fair admission

Where: Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City

Who: Bachman-Turner Overdrive (Aug. 18), Daughtry (Aug. 19), Jake Owen (Aug. 20), The All-American Rejects (Aug. 21), Wynonna Judd (Aug. 22)

Cost: Fair admission, in advance, is $10 general, $9 seniors, $8 children 6-11, free for ages 5 and younger. Tickets are $12, $10 and $9 at the gate. A limited number of reserved grandstand seats to concerts also are available for purchase; prices vary.

Details: idahofair.com

Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

When: Aug. 27-31; free

Where: Ann Morrison Park, 1000 S. Americana Blvd., Boise

What: Colorful balloons, music and local radio stations. Hot air balloon launches happen weather permitting. They typically start at 7:15 a.m. and last as late as 9 a.m. The Nite Glow Spectacular will be Friday with activities typically starting at 7:30 p.m. and the Spectacular at 8:45 p.m.

Details: spiritofboise.com

Welcome to the Oasis Music Festival

When: Sept. 4-7

Where: Captain Harry’s Oasis Event Center, 10395 W. Kodiak Drive, Mountain Home

What: Four days of EDM, live painters, performing arts and installations, food vendors, more

Cost: $100 and up

Details: welcometotheoasiscollective.com

Art in the Park

When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 5-6 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 7, free

Where: Julia Davis Park, 700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise

What: Contemporary arts and crafts from more than 200 artists, music, entertainment, food, hands-on activities for kids

Details: boiseartmuseum.org/art-in-the-park

Boise Pride Festival

When: Sept. 6-7

Where: Ann Morrison Park

What: An LGBTQ+ celebration with performers, Boise Pride Parade (Sept. 15), more

Details: boisepridefest.org

Hyde Park Street Fair

When: 4 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 13, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 14, free to enter

Where: Camel’s Back Park, 1200 Heron St., Boise

What: Bands, food vendors, arts and crafts booths, beer in the park in a family-friendly setting. Proceeds benefit the North End Neighborhood Association.

Details: northendboise.org/hyde-park-street-fair

The Hyde Park Street Fair has been a Boise tradition for decades.
The Hyde Park Street Fair has been a Boise tradition for decades. Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com

Indian Creek Festival

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19 and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 20, free

Where: Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., and around Caldwell

What: Cardboard kayak race, dance competition, tug of war spanning creek, Friday-night “Oldies on the Plaza” live music, more

Details: indiancreekplaza.com/indian-creek-festival

This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 4:00 AM.

Michael Deeds
Idaho Statesman
Michael Deeds is a long-serving entertainment reporter and opinion columnist at the Idaho Statesman, where he chronicles the Boise good life: restaurants, concerts, culture, cool stuff. He started as a summer intern after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a news-editorial journalism degree. Deeds’ prior Statesman roles have included sportswriter, music critic and features editor. His other writing has ranged from freelancing album reviews for The Washington Post to bragging about Boise in that inflight magazine you left on the plane. 
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