If you live in Boise (or are visiting in March), you’ve probably heard people talk about Treefort like it’s a personality trait. After going myself for a few years now, I finally get it!

Treefort Music Festival is one of the biggest events in Idaho and is easily the most unique Boise music festival of the year. It completely transforms downtown into a five-day celebration of live music, food, art, yoga, drag, film, and more.

If you’re planning to attend Treefort Music Festival 2026, this Treefort Music Fest Guide covers everything you need to know — from tickets and lineup info to free events, what to wear, and how to choose the right pass. This is all from my perspective as a Boise local, and what I wish I had known before attending the last few years.

Want to know what else to do in Spring in Boise? Check out my favorite things to do this time of year!

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Treefort Music Fest Guide

What is Treefort Music Festival?

Treefort Music Fest is a five-day, multi-venue music and arts festival held towards the end of March in downtown Boise, Idaho.

Instead of being in just one park, Treefort spreads across:

Julia Davis Park (Main Stage)
Treefort Music Hall
Downtown concert venues
Breweries, galleries, restaurants, and pop-up spaces

You walk from stage to stage through downtown, popping into venues and discovering artists you may have never heard of before, and honestly, I believe that that’s part of the magic.

Treefort has grown into a nationally recognized independent music festival while still keeping its local, community feel.

Where Is Treefort Music Festival Held?

Treefort Music Festival takes place throughout downtown Boise, Idaho, with multiple stages and venues all within walking distance of each other. I recommend wearing good walking shoes because, while they are not far away, it’s still a walk to the different venues.

Downtown Boise is incredibly walkable, and many of the Treefort venues are located near some of the city’s best restaurants, coffee shops, and the Boise River Greenbelt, which runs right through downtown and is one of my favorite places to walk if you need a break between shows.

The Main Stage is set up in Julia Davis Park, which acts as the central hub, but the festival experience extends throughout the Boise area. You’ll move between indoor concert venues, outdoor stages, breweries, and pop-up spaces across downtown.

Some of the most popular Treefort venues include Treefort Music Hall, the Basque Block, and my personal favorite, The Shrine Social Club.

You can easily spend the entire day exploring different stages, discovering new artists, and experiencing different parts of downtown without ever needing to drive.

How Long Does Treefort Last?

Treefort runs for five days, typically Wednesday through Sunday in late March. This year it runs from March 25th – 29th, 2026.

Pro tip: Friday and Saturday are the busiest days. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday tend to feel more relaxed and easier to navigate.

What Genre Is Treefort Music Festival?

Treefort is primarily an indie and alternative music festival, but the lineup spans:

Indie rock
Folk
Electronic
Hip hop
Punk
Experimental
Singer-songwriter
Global artists

You may not recognize many names on the Treefort lineup, and that’s intentional, but also the fun of it! The live performances are incredible, and it’s one of the best places to discover new artists. I have found some of my favorite artists by stumbling upon them or meeting friends at different stages around town.

How to Get Around Treefort?

One of the best parts about Treefort is how walkable everything is, but there are also several easy transportation options if you don’t want to walk between every venue.

Here are the best ways to get around during Treefort:

Walk between venues (most common option)

Most Treefort venues are located throughout downtown Boise
The Main Stage in Julia Davis Park acts as the central hub
Many smaller venues, breweries, and forts are just a 5–15 minute walk apart

Ride the free Treefort shuttle (Treeline)

Treefort runs a free shuttle called the Treeline during the festival
It loops between major venues and festival areas
You do not need a festival pass to ride it
This is a great option if you’re tired or want to move quickly between farther venues

Use Boise’s public bus system

Boise’s bus system, Valley Regional Transit (VRT), services the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods
This is especially helpful if you’re staying outside of downtown

Bike, scooter, or rideshare

Downtown Boise is very bike-friendly, and the Boise Greenbelt connects directly to the festival areas
Electric scooters are usually available throughout downtown
Uber and Lyft are widely available

Parking tips

Parking downtown can be limited during Treefort, especially on Friday and Saturday
If possible, park once and plan to walk, shuttle, or bike for the rest of the day
Staying downtown or nearby makes the experience much easier

Treefort Music Festival 2026 Lineup

The Treefort Music Festival lineup changes every year and features hundreds of artists.

For the official 2026 lineup announcements, check the Treefort website directly here. Artists are typically released in waves leading up to the festival.

Even if you don’t know the bands ahead of time, trust me, they show up LIVE. I also always recommend people to listen to the Treefort curated playlists before the festival so you know who might be coming and make your schedule around that.

Treefort Tickets: Which Pass Should You Buy?

This is where people get overwhelmed, but Treefort actually offers something for every budget.

The most popular options include:

Full Festival Pass — access to most music venues and events all five days
Single Day Pass — great if you only want to attend one day
Main Stage Pass — access to shows at Julia Davis Park (I love this option if you don’t have a ton of time, but still want to get in on the action)
Fort-specific tickets — you can buy tickets just for things like Foodfort, Filmfort, Comedyfort and Yogafort. Note that Foodfort always sells out FAST.
VIP Pass/Zipline Pass – includes perks like exclusive lounges, viewing areas, line skipping, and premium spaces to relax between sets. If you plan to attend multiple days, this can make the experience more comfortable.

Treefort also offers a surprising number of free events throughout the festival, which I cover below.

You can view the full list of ticket options and current pricing here: –> TREEFORT TICKETS

What to Do at Treefort Without a Pass (Free Things to Do)

One of the best parts about Treefort is that you don’t need a festival pass to experience it. There’s a surprising amount you can do for free, especially if you’re spending time downtown.

Here are some of the best free ways to experience Treefort:

Access to the “FORT ZONE”

This area is in Julia Davis Park and includes access to the Bandshell stage, Alefort, Artfort, Kidfort, bars, food trucks, and loads more.

Free outdoor concerts

Public stages like the Bandshell in Julia Davis Park host free performances throughout the festival
You’ll also find pop-up shows and outdoor stages scattered around downtown
These still have the full Treefort energy and are a great way to discover new artists

Explore the free forts

Some of the themed forts offer free programming, including:

Kidfort — family-friendly activities and performances
Artfort — art installations, exhibits, and creative events
Alefort— beer tasting from local and regional vendors

You can attend many of these without a full festival pass.

Walk around and enjoy the festival atmosphere

Even just being downtown during Treefort is an experience.

You’ll find:

Food trucks and pop-up food vendors
Live music
Brand activations and pop-ups
Festival crowds and energy throughout the city

Grab food or coffee between shows

One of my favorite ways to experience Treefort is simply to explore downtown, stop for drink, and check out whatever free performances I come across.

You can easily spend a full day enjoying Treefort without buying a pass! This makes it fun if you’re new to the festival or just want a more casual experience.

All the “Forts” to Explore

One of the most unique parts of Treefort is the themed “forts” beyond the music.

Here are the different Forts:

Musicfort – the core live music festival
Alefort – beer festival featuring regional breweries
Foodfort – curated dining events and chef collaborations
Yogafort – yoga and wellness sessions (so fun in the mornings)
Dragfort – drag performances and events
Artfort – visual art and installations
Comedyfort – stand-up comedians, improv acts, and storytellers
Filmfort – independent film screenings
Kidfort – family-friendly activities
Hackfort – all things tech, with hands-on workshops, talks, and demos
Podfort – podcast programming
Skatefort – celebration of skateboarding, roller skating, music, and community
Music Talks – all things tech; with hands-on workshops, inspiring talks, mind-blowing demos, and unforgettable performances.
Treefort Market – curated maker’s market showcasing the best of local and regional art, craft, design, vintage + music ephemera

Note: Some forts require additional tickets or sell out quickly (Foodfort events especially! Buy these tickets early).

What to Wear to Treefort Music Festival (and What to Bring)

I can best describe Treefort style as indie meets Idaho outdoors. 😂 It’s not the typical music festival like Coachella. I’d say it’s more like vintage band tees, thrifted jackets, Doc Martens or boots, beanies, and lots of layers. Think: creative and expressive, but still practical. People dress for walking around all day, unpredictable March weather, and being outside. It’s less about flashy festival outfits and more about personal style.

Also, you never know what you’re going to get with the March weather in Boise. It could be sunny and 60…or snowing, but many years it has been RAINY or drizzly.

What to wear & bring:

Treefort Pass or tickets – This can either be your digital copy or a physical copy.
Download the Treefort App to your phone – This will let you know where you want to go, provide maps, and help you plan your schedule ahead of time.
Dress in layers – The sun might come out right after a rainy concert; you just never know what you’re going to get. Also, many of the venues are inside so you’ll want to wear something you can take on and off. I typically wear a long-sleeved shirt and a jacket over it, so I can take the jacket off when it’s hot.
Sun glasses/sunscreen – It can get hot, so best to be prepped.
Warm jacket – and/or pack a raincoat or poncho in your bag.
Comfortable walking shoes – You will most likely walk a lot, so I recommend something you can be in all day.
Reusable water bottle – It’s nice because a lot of the venues will have fillable water stations.
Bag – Crossbody bag, fanny pack, or mini-backpack for hands-free walking.
ID, debit/credit card, and/or cash – You’ll need this for drinks and different vendors within the festival.
Portable Phone charger – If your phone is prone to dying like mine, this is a great idea.
Reusable metal cup – If you’ve been to Treefort in the past, chances are you got a metal cup at Alefort. You can actually bring your cup from years. before, so you don’t have to buy a new one each time you come. Otherwise, you can buy one there.
Earplugs – Especially if you are sensitive to sound, some of the venues are loud!

Treefort what to wear

This is what my friend and I wore for day 1 of Treefort. We both had jackets too. (not pictured)

Local Treefort Tips

Here’s what I’ve learned over the years:

Listen to the curated Treefort playlists before you go. This will give you an idea of who will be performing and who you might like to add to your app schedule.
Wear comfy shoes!! I can’t stress this enough. You’ll cover serious ground and, depending on the weather, will be standing on grass/mud/cement and walking all over the place.
Download the app before Treefort and choose your schedule in advance! I love doing this, so I know what and where I need to be to see what I need to see.
Buy Foodfort tickets early. They sell out surprisingly fast and early!
Alefort will require drink tokens that you can purchase once inside Treefort. Remember your metal cup from years past if you’ve been before, so you don’t need to buy another!
Drinks at music venues are paid for like you normally would, and NA beverages are widely available
Porta-potties are surprisingly clean, and I usually never had to wait in a long line, which was a huge plus!
Bring a portable charger so your phone doesn’t die.
Expect bigger crowds on Friday/Saturday.
Yogafort is the best way to start your day. I’d recommend starting your morning with coffee or breakfast downtown before heading to the stages. I shared my favorite spots in my guide to the best breakfast in Boise.
Got kids? Kidfort is one of the best ways to spend the day with them, and kids under 12 are free with a Treefort Ticket Holder!
Downtown parking can be hard during Treefort, and I always suggest using alternative transportation options like biking, public transport (the Treeline bus), or ride-sharing. Remember to bring a bike lock if you’re biking.
And honestly? Even if you don’t know the bands, go anyway. I really believe that Treefort is about discovering new artists.

Is Treefort Worth It?

I really think so! Treefort feels like Boise’s version of a big-city festival, but smaller, walkable, and community-driven. In fact, it reminds me a little of Outside Lands in San Francisco, but with way less chaos and way more Idaho charm.

If you’re local, it’s a must-experience, and if you’re visiting Boise in March, it’s one of the best times of year to see the city come alive.

Here’s a glimpse into one of my past experiences via instagram reel!

Visiting Boise for Treefort?

If you’re traveling to Boise for Treefort Music Festival, I created my Boise Travel Guide to help you experience the city beyond the festival.

It includes:

Where to stay in Boise
Best coffee shops and restaurants downtown
How to enjoy Spring in Boise (along with every other season)
Hidden gems locals love

It’s the exact guide I’d give a friend visiting Boise. You can download it here!

Final Thoughts

Treefort Music Festival isn’t just a music event! I think it’s a full Boise cultural experience. So, whether you buy a full pass, attend a single day, explore a specific fort, or just enjoy free events around town, there truly is something for everyone. I hope this Treefort Music Festival Guide helped you!

Have you been to Treefort before? Planning to go this year?

Let me know in the comments and follow along on Instagram @travelingspud and @theboiseguide for real-time Treefort coverage and tips.