Summer Events in Southwest Idaho

Musical Mayhem: Turn up the volume! The Boise Music Festival rocks the city with 50 local bands plus big-name headliners across five electric stages. Need a bluegrass fix? The Weiser River Music Festival strikes all the right chords with its small-town, down-home vibes. If you’re looking for a casual urban vibe, catch local bands and national big names head to downtown Boise for a weekly, free summer evening concert series Alive After 5. 

Emmett Cherry Festival: Life is just a bowl of cherries at this sweet summer celebration. This family-friendly festival is part carnival, part concert, and 100% cherry. The buffet of cherry-themed dishes is sure to have you going back for seconds. The cherry on top? Free admission!

Celebrate Basque Culture: No passport needed for this European adventure. Boise’s Basque Block comes alive during the San Inazio Basque Festival, showcasing the largest Basque community outside of the Basque country. Every five years, Jaialdi piggybacks on the San Inazio Festival bringing even more music, dancing, and food. It features Basque athletes competing in traditional sports, from lifting 350 lb stone balls to woodchopping to hay bale throws. 

Boise Twilight Criterium: Grab your cowbell and get ready to cheer: the fastest show on two wheels is rolling through Boise. Thousands of spectators descend downtown to watch top cyclists race tight corners at heart-pumping speeds. You can count on a festive atmosphere, close races, and electrifying finishes.

Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival: Population: 32. Fun level: off the charts! This small mountain community hits a high note at its annual harmonica festival. Hundreds gather for live performances, impromptu jam sessions, hands-on lessons, and the legendary Great Harmonica Fun Run. Small town. Big sound.

Full Throttle: Feel the thunder at Firebird Raceway’s Nightfire Nationals. This quarter-mile of pure adrenaline hosts some of the fastest cars in the world. A huge night in motorsports, hundreds of racers compete at dozens of events. Watch AA/Funny Cars, AA/Fuel Dragsters, and more. Catch the fire-blasting Jets cars as they try to break the 280mph barrier. There’s drama, excitement, and endless full throttle thrills.

Get Artsy: In McCall, the Payette Lakes Arts Fair brings together 75 of the region’s most talented artists in a stunning outdoor showcase. Wander through a living gallery featuring everything from metal sculptures to intricate stained glass to rustic log furniture. The Nampa Festival of the Arts ups the ante with over 200 artists turning the city into a vibrant celebration of imagination. With all this talent on display, you’re sure to meet your new favorite artist.

Star Gaze: Trade city lights for starry nights at one of Southwest Idaho’s dark sky reserves. During the Perseid meteor shower (mid-July through the end of August), pick your favorite viewing spot: a backcountry alpine lake or travel to Bruneau Dunes State Park, home to two of Idaho’s most powerful telescopes. Gaze at the Milky Way and count shooting stars. You’re sure to lose track of time. 

Giddy Up: Hold onto your horses! The rodeos are in town. Check out The Snake River Stampede, one of the top 10 rodeos in the United States. It’s fast, it’s wild, it’s competitive. Looking for a more low-key event? Try the Eagle Rodeo, an easygoing, family-friendly event. Or check out the Caldwell Night Rodeo. No matter which you choose, you’re in for a buckin’ good time.

Fair Season! Western agriculture is on display through the summer. From Hells Canyon Days to the Elmore County Fair, from Kuna Days, to the Canyon County Fair, you’ll find celebrations of ranching, farming, and crafting. The Western Idaho Fair is the biggest of them all. Don’t miss out!

Beat the heat! Idaho is home to world-class whitewater. Get splashy on the Payette River’s rollercoaster waves with Cascade Raft and Kayak or Bear Valley. Feeling confident? Plan a multi-day rafting trip and play on class IV whitewater in Hells Canyon. Just have a day? Thrills for the whole family at Roaring Springs Water Park. Or connect with nature on Quinn’s Pond. Rent a paddleboard or a kayak and paddle across the beautiful riverside pond.

Fish On: There are endless fishing holes across the region, from urban to remote. Fish the rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Check out Black Canyon Reservoir or Lucky Peak State Park to spend a day on the lake.

Get out on the trails: Let’s climb! All of Southwest Idaho’s ski mountains also offer incredible mountain biking trails. You’ll find thrilling lift-serviced downhill access, and heart-pumping cross-country terrain when you ride Bogus, Brundage, and Tamarack. 

Batter Up! Catch the Boise Hawks baseball team swing for the fences. They play all summer long, offering nailbiter gamers in a family-friendly venue. Swing away!

It’s Showtime! Catch Shakespeare under the stars at the stunning, open-air theater. The sun sets on the foothills behind that stage at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, which runs Shakespeare, plays and musicals. The Idaho Botanical Garden hosts the Outlaw Field Summer Concert Series where big names headline outdoor shows behind the Old Penitentiary in Boise. Or head to the mountains to catch a fun, family-friendly show at the Starlight Mountain Theater. 

Savor it: Celebrate Idaho Wine and Cider Month at Savor Idaho. You’ll sample and savor the goods from over 30 wineries and cideries. 

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