Christmas in the City

Holiday Farmer's Market

Saturdays November 6 - December 18, 10am-2pm

8th Street from Bannock to Main, the Grove Plaza, and Idaho Street from Capitol to 9th Street.

This is Boise's most unique shopping experience! Featuring local winter produce, fresh northwest cranberries, holiday wreaths and floral arrangements, Idaho specialty foods & wines, handmade cards, art, and so much more. Visit capitalcitypublicmarket.com for more information.

Winter Wednesdays

Make Qwest Arena your destination for fun on Wednesday nights this winter! Enjoy Idaho Steelheads hockey on November 10th & December 15th, and Idaho Stampede basketball on December 8th. Tickets available at www.qwestarenaidaho.com

Downtown Boise is full of great deals, drinks, and dining before & after the game! Check out a full list of special offers from the best locations in Downtown Boise: www. Downtownboise.org

Gingerbread Holiday Village

Saturday, November 13, 6:00pm

BSU Jordan Ballroom

A dinner and gala event! This is a fundraiser for the Family Advocate Program. Professional, amateur and youth chefs create exquisite, themed, gingerbread houses for our judges. The gingerbread houses, along with other items, are auctioned off at our Gala Dinner. The Family Advocate Program works to keep abused children out of danger and in safe homes. Visit www.familyadvocate.org for more information.

Hymns of Thanksgiving

Sunday, November 21, 7:30 pm

Qwest Arena

A community choir and orchestra of about 350 musicians have been organized to present this event. Open seating, no tickets required. Doors open at 6:30. Free to the public. Bring the entire family! Guests are invited to make a monetary donation to the Idaho Foodbank at the event. Visit www.hymnsthanks.com for more information.

St. Alphonsus Festival of Trees

November 24 - 28

Boise Centre on the Grove

Festival of Trees has become a favorite seasonal tradition for residents of the Treasure Valley. During Thanksgiving week, Boise Centre on the Grove becomes home to a wonderland of holiday beauty that is enhanced by a series of special events designed to please people of all ages. From the black-tie Gala to Breakfast with Santa, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Visit www.saintalphonsus.org for more information.

Idaho Foodbank- Empty Bowls Event

Friday, November 26, 11am-6pm

Grove Plaza and the Brick Oven Bistro

Help us fill the bowls of those in need! Purchase a handcrafted bowl made by Idaho potters, and we'll fill it with hot soup from downtown restaurants. When you see the “empty bowl” in your cupboard, remember that you helped to alleviate hunger in Idaho. A great way to make a difference! Hot Soup & Handcrafted Pottery only $10. A special selection of professionally crafted bowls will be on display and individually priced. Visit www.idahofoodbank.org for more information.

Boise Holiday Parade

Saturday, November 27, 9:45am

11th & Jefferson/ 4th Street/ Idaho Street.

The Holiday Parade is a Boise tradition and a source of pride for our community. Bring the family to this year's parade and celebrate along with Grand Marshal, Idaho Teacher in Space, Barbara Morgan. Visit www.boiseholidayparade.org for information.

Zions Bank Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

Saturday, November 27, 5pm-7pm

The Grove Plaza

Bring your family to the event that lights up downtown and welcomes the holiday season to Boise. The event includes the lighting of the community Christmas tree, live music, caroling, candle lighting, and food and beverages. Visit www.downtownboise.org for more information.

City Santa

Saturdays Nov. 27 - Dec. 18, 11am-4pm

First Thursday Dec. 2, 5pm-8pm

Sunday Dec 19, 12pm-4pm

Berryhill & Co Restaurant, 121 N 9th St

For a small donation, children may tell Santa their Christmas wishes and have their picture taken with Old St Nick! Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society, made possible by DL Evans Bank.

Giving Tree to benefit the Women's and Children's Alliance

November 27- December 14, All Hours

The Grove Plaza

Take a tag from the Giving Tree and support victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault at the Women's and Children's Alliance (WCA). Drop off NEW, UNWRAPPED gifts to the WCA (8-5pm, M-F) or to the following Zion's Bank branch locations: 890 Main St., Boise; 7402 W. Fairview Ave., Boise; 6176 N. Eagle Rd., Boise; 3715 E. Overland Rd., Meridian; 2121 W. Karcher Rd., Nampa; and 509 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell. The WCA provides safety, healing, and freedom to women and children escaping domestic abuse and sexual assault. Your donation will provide hope- the most precious gift of all! Visit www.wcaboise.org for more information.

Old Boise N Scale- Model Railroaders

Saturdays November 27- December 18, 10am-5pm

Old Boise, Pioneer Building, 106 N 6th, Mezzanine 1

Visit the model railroaders exhibit, complete with numerous towns, villages and trains! Santa Clauswill be available for free pictures with your child, and will be roving the Old Boise6th& Mainarea, thanks to the generous support of the Old Boise Merchants Association. Visit www.oldboise.com for more information.

First Thursday

December 2, 5pm-9pm

Downtown Boise

Experience Downtown Boise at it's finest as retailers, galleries, and restaurants entertain you with a variety of mini-events, including the 5th Annual Winter Window Gallery! Stroll through downtown Boise to admire the seasonal works of art on the windows of many different businesses! Best of all- it's free! Find a map & listings of locations at www.downtownboise.org

Winter Window Gallery Stroll

December 2-31, All hours
Downtown Boise

This Christmas as you stroll through the streets of downtown, you'll see much more in the storefront windows than just the latest fashions. Local artists and businesses have teamed up to create fantastic holiday window art for the 5th Annual Winter Window Gallery Stroll, beginning on First Thursday, December 2nd. The Winter Window Gallery Stroll features the work of many local artists who have loaned their creative talent to dress downtown Boise in holiday style. Visit www.downtownboise.org for more information.

Great Fruitcake Follies Baking Contest

Saturday, December 4, time TBD

The Downtown Boise Association and Capital City Public Market invite you to compete in the Great Fruitcake Follies Baking Contest! Not all fruitcakes are created equal!Dig out your grandmother's favorite recipe or create your own special recipeand bring your best fruitcake to be judged by a panel of Market vendors.The contest will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4th at the Market. Winnerswill receive a Market shopping tote and Market $$'s.LONG LIVE THE FRUITCAKE!!!!

Boise Tuba Christmas

Saturday, December 4

3:30pm—The Grove

4:30pm— State Capital Rotunda

Over 60 tuba and baritone players known collectively as Boise Tuba Christmas will once again serenade downtown Boise with traditional Christmas carols.As this is now the group's eighteenth year in existence, it now qualifies as a Boise tradition!The music was arranged by noted American composer Alec Wilder and has been enhanced by Norlan Bewley, and includes such carols as Deck the Halls, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Silver Bells, O Come All Ye Faithful, and Silent Night. Each concert site will host a half-hour concert of over twenty carols.Members of the ensemble include tuba players from local high schools, local band directors, BSU students, and community members.

Opera Idaho Sings Christmas!

Saturday, December 4, 2:30 and 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 5,2:30 pm

The Egyptian Theatre

Amahl and the Night Visitors, Menotti's classic holiday story of faith and miracles has been seen by more people than any other opera in history. Following the Bethlehem star, the Three Kings shelter at the home of Amahl, a crippled young shepherd who lives with his widowed mother. Inspired by their tale of a kingdom "built on love alone," the boy offers his own gift to the Christ Child. And lo, a miracle occurs...Starring Boise mezzo soprano Tiffany Calas as Amahl's mother, and Drew Myers and Zachery Berreth as Amahl. Directed by Mark Junkert and conducted by Laura Rushing-Raynes. Perfect for the whole family! Tickets at the Egyptian Box Office. Call (208)387-1273 or see www.operaidaho.org for more information.

Ballet Idaho, The Nutcracker

Friday, December 10, 8pm
Saturday, December 11, 2 & 8 pm
Sunday, December 12, 2 pm

Special Events Center

The Ballet joins with the Boise Philharmonic and Opera Idaho's Children's Chorus to present this community favorite, Ballet Idaho's annual production of The Nutcracker. Visit www.idahotickets.com or call Select-A-Seat at (208)426-1110 to purchase tickets.

Great Fruitcake Follies Downtown Caroling Contest

Saturday, December 11, time TBD

The Downtown Boise Association and Capital City Public Market invite you to enjoy The 2nd Annual Great fruitcake Follies Downtown Caroling Contest! The contest will take place on Saturday December 11th on the Grove Plaza and 8th Street. Get your friends, classmates or office mates together and join in the fun! Let's "Jingle the Bells" and "Deck the Halls" and kick-off the Holiday Season! Let the Merriment begin!

Treasure Valley groups competing in the caroling contest will be judged by community volunteers based on presentation, movement, and quality of singing.

Free Parking Day!

Saturday, December 11th, 8am-5pm

Various Downtown lots

Just in time to finish up that last-minute Christmas shopping! Thanks to the generous holiday spirit of Capital City Development Corporation, Republic Parking, The Car Park, and Diamond Parking Services, parking will be F-R-E-E in many lots and structures across downtown. Also, don't forget that parking is always free on Saturdays in metered parking spaces.

Miracle on Idaho Street

Christmas Day, 11am-3pm

Old Chicago Restaurant, 730 W Idaho Street

For the 7th year, over 1,000 homeless and displaced guests will arrive at Old Chicago for a Christmas Day celebration. Each guest will receive a warm welcome and an extraordinary dining experience, a finely dressed table and a meal with all the trimmings. New gifts of warm clothing, toys, books, school supplies, and blankets will be distributed, and each guest will have the chance to enjoy a visit and picture on Santa's lap! For more information please call 363-0037.

Candlelight Historical Church Walk

Sunday, December 26, 3pm-6pm

Various Downtown Church Locations

Boise's downtown historic worship sites are again opening their doors for this self-guided walking tour. Come look at the Christmas decorations, hear special music, and view the various architectural styles of the nine participating churches. Each church will provide a map so you can begin at any one of them. Just look for the luminaries! Refreshments will be available at each location. All churches are within walking distance of each other. Bring your house guests and friends to this very special event. Call 345-3441 for more information.