Challenges aside, Boise Pride offers a full weekend. Here’s what to know
It’s a year of change for Boise Pride, but that doesn’t mean festivalgoers will miss any of the usual revelry at the annual event.
All weekend, Boise will be home to live music, a large parade, fireworks, drag performances and plenty of food and drink options — it’s just that this year, that home will be Ann Morrison Park, not Cecil Andrus Park.
The festival also adjusted as a result of losing big sponsors — Micron among them — and officially switched from three days to two, while relying on smaller businesses to fill funding gaps.
“We are holding on as a community, and we always have and we always will,” said Davis Hilton, Boise Pride marketing director. “Even with the hardship, the whole team has just scrapped and worked really, really hard, and the communities have come forward. I just think it’s gonna be a very powerful festival.”
Hilton said that in its 36th year, Boise Pride had outgrown Cecil Andrus Park near the Capitol, and at Ann Morrison, the thousands of people in attendance will have space to spread out while enjoying shows that highlight local talent and also feature iconic names in the LGBTQ+ world of entertainment.
Hilton praised the Treasure Valley for coming together to sponsor the event so it could continue running well as it grows. Albertsons is the festival’s presenting sponsor, and among the dozens of other entities contributing are St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus; Fred Meyer; the city of Boise; Boise Weekly and KISS 103.5-FM; Blue Cross of Idaho; hotels such as The Modern and The Avery; and bars such as Humpin’ Hannah’s and The Balcony.
Here’s a breakdown of events this weekend, including something that is happening Friday night.
Friday
While the festival is technically cut down to two days, Boise Pride is kicking things off with a Launch Party at Treefort Music Hall at 8 p.m. Friday. The party is only for those 18 and older, and it’s a ticketed event. Tickets can be found on the Boise Pride Festival website and cost $26.65.
The “retro-disco-funkin’ dance party” will feature electronic music duo The Knocks, and performances by electronic pop artist Dragonette. TV personality Aquaria also will be there, along with local performers.
The Launch Party was originally planned for June, which is Pride Month, but funding cuts as a result of sponsorship losses forced rescheduling. Davis said they plan for it to be “resurrected as an annual event.”
Saturday
The gates to the festival will open at 11 a.m. and there is an all-day lineup of bands, drag shows and dances from local performers and well-recognized names. Among the headliners are synth-pop artist Ariana and the Rose (5:45 p.m.) and queer country pop artist Fancy Hagood (6:45 p.m.).
Plane Jane, a drag queen who shot to fame from competing in the 16th season of reality TV show “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” also will be performing at 5 p.m. Closing out Saturday’s shows will be Zolita (8:15 p.m.), an alternative pop singer.
Local performers will include singer-songwriter Joshua Emara (7:30 p.m.).
A fireworks show will take place at 9 p.m., and the festival has been crowdfunding to support it. Donations can still be made at the website.
Saturday afterparty
Boise Pride also will host its third annual ATTENTION party, featuring Chicago drag queen Shea Couleé and Plane Jane, along with several Boise drag queens. That party starts at 8:30 p.m. at Treefort Music Hall (show begins at 9 p.m.). Tickets are $31.02.
Sunday
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and will go along River Street from South 13th Street to 9th Street, where it will cross the bridge and head along Royal Boulevard into Ann Morrison Park. At 11 a.m. the Sunday festivities in the park will begin, and closing out the day will be Marrlo Suzzanne & The Galaxy Band at 4 p.m.
More music, dance and drag shows will take the stage throughout the day. There is even a Pet Pride Show at 12:20 p.m. for people to show off their furry friends.
You can see the full schedule at the Boise Pride website.
This story was originally published September 4, 2025 at 1:16 PM.
