Everything You Need to Know About Fall Activities in Boise, Idaho

Your Guide to Fall in Boise

Totally Boise Is Here To Share All Things Boise

Boise Fall Activities Family Friendly Events Spooky Activities Beer and Wine Festivals

Fall in Boise is considered to be one of the most beautiful times for the city. One of the more popular nicknames for the town is the ‘City of Trees.’ So the fall is when the City of Trees lives up to the nickname and truly gets to show off its beautiful colors. And with the changing of seasons, also comes different activities and adventures that are available in the area. Here’s your chance to seize the season and enjoy Boise in the fall with all of these fun ideas.

BOISE FALL ACTIVITIES

Home to natural and man-made wonders plenty, fall is the perfect time to see Boise at its most… boisterous! When you’re visiting us this fall be sure to check out…

Watch the Sunset

Catch a sunset while kicking back on J.R. Simplot Hill. The famous hill in Boise, named after the potato legend himself, is the perfect spot in town to relax and watch the sun go down.

Tour the Town on a Bike Bar

There is no better or fun way to experience downtown Boise than on a peddling pub! Book a ride on The Boise Bike Bar this fall.

Enjoy a Boise Park

Choose from one of the many great and beautifully kept parks in the area and have yourself a picnic and day full of games. Trust us, fall is a perfect time because the weather starts to cool down and the days become even more enjoyable.

First Thursdays

Every first Thursday of the month, businesses around downtown Boise put on small events with features of local items and potentially different deals and discounts. Some spots will even have live music!

See Fall from Camel's Back Park

The view from Camel’s Back Park’s lookout is the perfect spot to see all the colorful trees in the Treasure Valley, with a also a perfect view of the cities skyline.

Boise Pumpkin Patches

Make a trip out to one of the many farms in the area and pick yourself out a pumpkin, have the kiddos take a hay bail ride and enjoy yourself a delicious seasonal cider.

Boise State Football Games

Fall means football season in Boise. If you’re not a Bronco that’s ok! The blue turf field and atmosphere of Albertson's stadium and Bronco fans are welcoming and something you don’t want to miss.

Boise Farmers Markets

Saturdays are the day to go check out and supports all of the local vendors and see what they have to offer. Fresh produce, delicious food, hand-made products are what the Boise Farmers Market is all about.

BOISE FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS

Spooktacular Evenings at the Zoo

Evenings throughout October, Zoo Boise hosts Spooktacular the not-scary fun-fest for the whole family! This is your opportunity to see the zoo at night with Halloween displays and kid-friendly activities.

Lowe Family Farmstead Corn Maze and Pumpkin Festival

Leading up to Halloween, the Lowe Family Farmstead brings you a great spot for pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze, and many more fun fall festivities! The farm opens September 16th.

Fall Harvest Festival

The Idaho Botanical Gardens hosts wagon rides, live music, great food, and all you have to do is bring with you some great company! There will even be a local artist market where you can browse and also have the opportunity to purchase. You can't miss it since this event takes place every Saturday through October.

Boo at the Zoo

Zoo Boise throws a fun Halloween event for all! With costume contests, games, photo ops, face painting, Halloween treats, and a whole lot more.

Emmett Harvest Festival and Street Fair

Celebrate the harvest season with food vendors, art vendors, and entertainment. Also, the opportunity to pick local orchards is available at this street fair! This event takes place on Friday, September 29th, from 12pm to 7pm, and Saturday, September 30th, from 10am to 7pm.

Art in the Park

For a three-day weekend full of fun in Julia Davis, the Boise Art Museum brings more than 200 artists, food, and live entertainment for the community. This event takes place on September 8th - 10th.

Restaurant Week

Boise has been named one of the top culinary spots in the nation. No better time to put that to the test, by having all of the most accredited restaurants put together special menus and deals for everyone to try.

Pray for Snow

10 Barrel’s annual event is the perfect way to get ready for Winter! One of Boise’s favorite breweries doesn’t fall short in pulling out all the stops. From a ski and snowboard waxing station to live music and a costume contest, there is so much to do at this event.

Light the Night Walk

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s walk at Capitol Park is set to build awareness and help raise money for research and the families in our community. Everyone is encouraged to light lanterns to represent the efforts to end cancer.

Idaho Rennaissance Faire

At the Idaho Expo, a weekend full of spectacular shows, games, music is put on for those who love the renaissance age. Everyone is welcome to have the time of their lives!

32nd Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

This beloved Boise event featuring several hot air balloons over the course of five days is returning for its 31st year. Starting bright and early, you can watch the aircrafts launch and catch them flying through the city. The balloons take off on August 30th, and have this year's final touch down on September 3rd.

Boise Pride Festival 2023

Happening on its new dates, September 8th and 10th at Cecil D. Andrus Park, this annual festival brings together the community to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride. This event is free to attend and will feature music, inclusive activities, and much more in the spirit of pride.

Fiber Frolic Festival

The 5th Annual Frolic Festival celebrates all things fiber arts. Put together by The Twisted Ewe, visitors can browse educational booths, Idaho wool vendors, and participate in a yarn-bombing installation. The event takes place on September 23rd at the Basque Block in downtown Boise.

Photo Credit: Maria Lindsey

Photo Credit: Yan Krukov

SPOOKY ACTIVITIES

Requiem Haunted House

The newest and largest indoor haunted attraction in the Treasure Valley, with 13,000 square feet of pure indoor terror “enter at your own risk”.

Haunted World

Take a stroll, or run, through the Haunted World for two hours of unrivaled scares that will eclipse your worst nightmare.

Field of Screams Farmstead

Real farm, real fear. At nighttime, the Farmstead Corn Maze is turned into the Field of Screams, awakening your deepest fears.

Dying to Get IN: October Tour

With 5 major riots and nearly 130 deaths onsite, the Old Idaho State Penitentiary is already a spooky piece of Idaho history. Join for an evening of ghost stories and behind the scenes peeks.

A Macabre History of Boise: A Walking Tour

Looking beyond the veil into Boise's more "haunted" past. Settled in the middle 1800s, the rough and tumble of our city produced some interesting ghost stories. Check their page for recurring tour dates.

BOISE BEER AND WINE FESTIVALS

Old Boise Oktoberfest

Celebrate Oktoberfest throughout Downtown Boise with authentic German biers, food, live music, games, and giveaways! Bring the whole family for a day of celebration.

Payette Brewing Oktoberfest

A two-day celebration for all things beer! Stop by for delicious bier, axe throwing, German-inspired food, hammerschlagen, and so much more.

Eagle Food and Wine Festival

This Eagle festival partners select Idaho wineries and premier local chefs to create the perfect tasting pair. An event designed to help promote Idaho’s distinctive culinary identity and to celebrate what makes the community unique! This festival is back in 2022 after a two year hiatus!