Idaho Steelheads Hockey

Idaho Stampede Basketball

Make CenturyLink Arena your destination for fun this winter! Enjoy Idaho Steelheads hockey and Idaho Stampede basketball downtown! Both teams have put together a series of great promotions- from family ticket packages to kids club nights to ladies night! Check out details and game schedules at www.centurylinkarenaboise.com

Holiday Farmer’s Market

Saturdays November 5 - December 17, 10am–2pm

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

Gingerbread Holiday Village

Friday, November 18, 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. www.familyadvocate.org

Boise Holiday Parade

Saturday, November 19, 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 to celebrate An Outdoor Idaho Christmas with Grand Marshals the Zamzow family. www.boiseholidayparade.org

Hymns of Thanksgiving

Sunday, November 20, 7:30 pm

CenturyLink 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. www.hymnsthanks.com

St. Alphonsus Festival of Trees

November 23 - 27

Boise Centre

Festival of Trees has become a favorite seasonal tradition for residents of the Treasure Valley. During Thanksgiving week, Boise Centre 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. www.saintalphonsus.org

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Taco Bell Arena
Wednesday, November 23, 4 & 8pm
Trans Siberian Orchestra will rock your winter season, performing the timeless classic “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” in its entirety, followed by excerpts from the upcoming Rock Theater installment “Gutter Ballet and The New York Blues Express”. Don’t miss TSO’s unique combination of story-telling, virtuoso musicianship and over the top production. tacobellarena.com

Turkey Day 5K

Thursday, November 24, 2011

6:30 to 7:30 a.m.--Race day registration, bib number and t-shirt pickup

8:00 a.m.--Turkey Day 5K start

There's never been a better way to prep for your Thanksgiving dinner! Join runners, joggers and walkers for a morning of fun along a scenic, flat 5k course highlighting downtown Boise in a unique, unhurried way. The Turkey Day 5K Boise starts on Main Street at Capital Boulevard and follows a very flat course around downtown, finishing on 8^th Street between Bannock and Idaho. Best Thanksgiving costume will win a prize! www.turkeyday-5k.com

Idaho Foodbank- Empty Bowls Event

Friday, November 25, 11am-3pm

Grove Plaza and the Brick Oven Bistro

Throughout the year the Idaho Foodbank collects handcrafted and handpainted bowls from professional and amateur artisans, students, and studios.  The event offers participants the opportunity to select a unique bowl from thousands and then enjoy a hot bowl of soup generously donated by several of our finest local restaurants. While guests enjoy their meal, they are encouraged to remember that not all our Idaho neighbors are able to meet the basic need of feeding their families, so financial support from the event helps to provide free emergency food to those in need. www.idahofoodbank.org

A Candle in the Window

Boise Little Theater

November 25, 26, December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 at 8pm,
December 1, 8 at 7:30pm, December 4 & 10 at 2pm

A small group of weary travelers discover the power of the season while trapped in a lonely train station on Christmas Eve. As a blizzard rages outside, the troubled people are forced to turn to each other for companionship. In this play we realize the mysterious stop in the travelers' journey was more than accidental and has given them a renewed spirit and resolve. www.boiselittletheater.org

Zions Bank Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

Saturday, November 26, 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. www.downtownboise.org

City Santa

Saturdays Nov. 26 – Dec. 17, 11am-4pm

First Thursday Dec. 1, 5pm-8pm

DL Evans Bank, 213 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 26– December 16, 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! www.wcaboise.org

Old Boise N Scale- Model Railroaders and Santa

Saturdays November 26– December 17, 10am-5pm Santa noon til 4pm

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

Visit the model railroaders exhibit, complete with numerous towns, villages and trains! Santa Claus will be available for free polaroid pictures with your child, (limited supplies, you are welcome to bring your own camera) also Santa will be roaming the Old Boise 6^th & Main area, thanks to the generous support of the Old Boise Merchants Association. www.oldboise.com

First Thursday

December 1, 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 1-31, 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 6th Annual Winter Window Gallery Stroll, beginning on First Thursday, December 1st. The Winter Window Gallery features the work of many local artists who have loaned their creative talent to dress downtown Boise in holiday style. www.downtownboise.org for locations

Boise Tuba Christmas

Saturday, December 3

3:30pm—The Grove 

4:30pm— State Capital Rotunda

Tuba and baritone players known collectively as Boise Tuba Christmas will once again serenade downtown Boise with traditional Christmas carols such 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.

Great Fruitcake Follies Baking Contest

Saturday, December 3

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 recipe and bring your best fruitcake to be judged by a panel of Market vendors. The contest will take place on Saturday at the Market.  Winners will receive a Market shopping tote and Market $$'s. LONG LIVE THE FRUITCAKE!!!! www.SeeYouAtTheMarket.com

Opera Idaho Presents Amahl and the Night Visitors

Saturday, December 3, 2:30 and 7:30pm

Sunday, December 4, 2:30pm

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... Boise mezzo-soprano Tiffany Calás will once again star as Amahl’s Mother. The matinee performances and a special family ticket price are designed to make the short, one-act opera appeal to families with children. Perfect for the whole family! Tickets at the Egyptian Box Office. www.operaidaho.org

Annual Family Holiday Concert

Sunday, December 4, 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Morrison Center

The Boise State University Music Department invites the community to celebrate the season with this yearly tradition for music lovers in the Treasure Valley. music.boisestate.edu

Ballet Idaho, The Nutcracker

Friday, December 9, 8pm
Saturday, December 10, 2 & 8 pm
Sunday, December 11, 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. Whether it is a family tradition or a once-in-a-lifetime experience this glittering classic ballet will stay with you forever and warm your spirit. This dazzling production music by Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Peter Anastos will transport you to a magical place. The performance will feature beautiful and original scenery and costumes with the cast of Ballet Idaho Company members and a large and enthusiastic cast of children from throughout the Treasure Valley. www. balletidaho.org

Great Fruitcake Follies Downtown Caroling Contest 

Saturday, December 10

 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. www.SeeYouAtTheMarket.com

Free Parking Day!

Saturday, December 10th, 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.

Handel's Messiah

Saturday, December 17th, 7:30pm
Sunday, December 18, 2:00pm

Morrison Center

Enjoy this holiday tradition, performed by the Boise Philharmonic and Boise Philharmonic Master Chorale. www.boisephilharmonic.org

A Christmas Carol
Sunday, December 18, 2 & 4pm

Morrison Center

Be a part of the action as you enter the backstage world of the Morrison Center and take your seat on the stage. The immortal classic story of redemption by Charles Dickens. Listen as old miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge learns the lessons that could change his life forever. He'll meet his past, present and future -- all in one night! Part of the Family Reading Series presented by Morrison Center Arts Education.

Mannheim Steamroller

Thursday, December 22, 8pm

The Morrison Center

Mannheim Steamroller brings a family tradition to the Morrison Center in Boise! Celebrate your holidays with Mannheim Steamroller, bringing their beloved Christmas concert to Boise. Grammy Award® winner and mastermind behind the group, Chip Davis will direct and co-produce both the East Coast and West Coast tour ensembles of Mannheim Steamroller. The shows will feature the favorite Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with state of the art multimedia effects. mc.boisestate.edu

Miracle on Idaho Street

Christmas Day, 11am-3pm

Old Chicago Restaurant, 730 W Idaho Street

For the 8th year, over 1,000 of Boise’s 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.