Some Fun Winter Activities to Keep You Busy All Winter

Winter in Boise is a pretty cold time of year, but it’s also very beautiful, and there are a ton of events to get you in the holiday spirit! With the Nutcracker Ballet, Winter Garden-a-Glow, Christmas in Color, and Christmas lights all over the town, it makes Boise a cozy place to spend the holiday season.

Boise doesn’t get as much snow in the winter months as the mountains of McCall or Sun Valley, but it still can snow in the Treasure Valley! Winter weather in Boise typically stays within 20-50 degrees.

If you’re visiting Boise at another time of year, check out my Summer Bucket List, Fall Bucket List, Summer Date Night Spots.

Here are some fun winter activities to keep you busy all winter season long! Looking for a hotel? Here’s where I recommend staying in Boise.

While we’re at it, let’s be friends on Instagram and Tiktok!

Winter in Boise: 22 Things To Keep You Busy All Season

Get a festive cocktail

Check out Press & Pony or The Gatsby for a festive drink. Both of these cocktail bars are typically decked out for the holidays.

Taste some winter brews

Check out some of the best craft breweries in town like Western Collective, Payette Brewing, and Barbarian Brewing. Western Collective usually goes all out in decor for the holidays as well.

Idaho Ice-World

Hit the ice and go freestyle ice-skating or play pickup hockey! You can buy your tickets online.

Watch a Boise Christmas tree lighting

Watch the Christmas tree lighting at the Grove Plaza or the Idaho State Capitol Building. Both trees are lit up all holiday season long so you can enjoy them at any time.

Christmas tree in front of Boise Capitol Building

Festival of Trees

Every year, the weekend after Thanksgiving, you can go to the is the St. Alphonsus Festival of Trees. The themed trees are amazing and you’ll find fun entertainment and local vendors.

Have a festive holiday dinner in downtown Boise

Go to Capital Cellars or The Lively for a festive holiday dinner.

Check out Winter Garden aGlow

Visit the Idaho Botanical Garden and see it all lit up and festive for the holidays.

Ski at Bogus Basin

Go skiing or tubing at the local ski hill about 45 minutes from Boise. You can also go night skiing here or book a place to stay up on the mountain.

Visit the Morrison Center for the Arts

Spend a night watching the Boise Philharmonic, Boise Pops, or a Broadway show at Morrison Center for the Arts.

Visit a cozy cafe

Warm-up at a cute cafe like Java, Form and Function, or The District

Visit Ballet Idaho

Watch one of Ballet Idaho’s festive shows including, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “The Nutcracker”.

Go holiday shopping

Visit JUMP to shop the Wintery Market for local artisan goods or head to get wintry decor at Edwards Greenhouse.

Catch a classic holiday flick at the famous Egyptian Theatre

There are so many fun holiday showings at the Egyptian Theatre downtown Boise. Plus, they have a bar so you can bring your snacks and drink into the theatre.

Attend an Idaho Steelheads Hockey Game

Cheer on the Idaho Steelheads this winter. And remember that Wednesday nights are $2 beer nights.

Scentsy Commons

Scentsy HQ puts on a free light walk with 45-miles of lights all season long. It’s become a fun annual winter event and is a wonderful way to get in the festive spirit!

The Village at Meridian

The Village is decked out for the holidays every year and they have a lot of different winter events including live music, ice skating, tree lightings, and much more!

Christmas in Color

Feel like social distancing? Christmas in Color is a wonderful light show you can drive through. All the lights go to the music on the radio station you have on in your car.

Feel like getting out of town?

Visit the hot springs

Go to the Idaho City Hot Springs and have a nice soak outside the city!

Go to the Indian Creek Plaza Lights

Visit Caldwell for a festive night of lights and ice skating. you can make a reservation and popular Amano for dinner as well.

Attend the McCall Winter Carnival

Make a trip up to McCall for the famous Winter Carnival!

Stay in a Backcountry Yurt

Just north of Boise there are quite a few backcountry yurts in Idaho and near Boise. This is a great option if you feel like getting away for a weekend. Try the yurts in Idaho City or near McCall and Cascade, Idaho.

Go on a sleigh ride

Feel like riding on a sleigh with reindeer? Check out Idaho Sleigh Rides in Garden Valley!

Watch the Idaho Dog Sled Competition

Head up to Cascade, Idaho to see the famous dog sled qualifiers for the Iditarod!

Despite being a great place to visit in the Fall, Spring and Summer, Idaho winters can’t be beaten. Know of any other great activities to do in Boise during the winter? Please let me know in the comments!

Planning a Trip to Boise?

✨If you’re planning more time in Boise, I created a 75+ page Boise Travel Guide with my favorite restaurants, hikes, neighborhoods, seasonal activities, and hidden gems. It’s basically everything I recommend to friends when they visit.

Best restaurants in Boise
Local hikes and outdoor spots
Seasonal activities
Hidden gems most visitors miss
Easy weekend itineraries

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