Your December Scouted
It’s beginning to look a lot like… well, you know. That fun and exciting holiday time the vast majority of us look forward to. The holidays do seem to start their calendar creep a little bit earlier each year, don’t they? Radio stations line up their carols, classics and, ahem, interesting interpretations of eminent Christmas songs weeks ahead of Thanksgiving. Starbucks has officially done away with their trademark pumpkin spice to make room for peppermint concoctions. Wreaths and lights have been in the aisles of stores since August. So the real question is: where do you fall on the holiday preparedness spectrum? There is no right or wrong answer; anywhere between “catch me in my Christmas sweaters, watching every Hallmark movie for the next month and a half” to bah, humbug! If the season of cheer finds you adrift, we can help with a few merry and bright happenings to add to your calendar. From our hearth here at The Scout Guide Boise & The Treasure Valley to you and yours, we wish you a peaceful, healthy and happy holiday season.
Contributing Editor | Claire Meyer
Hadestown: The Musical
Wednesday, November 29th – Sunday, December 3rd | Morrison Center
Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony® Awards, this acclaimed new musical by celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today… and always. Intertwining two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and doesn’t let go. Visit the Morrison Center in downtown Boise for this spectacular show.
First Friday Art & Studio Strolls
Friday, December 1st | 5pm-10pm | Various Locations | Garden City
Garden City’s Surel L. Mitchell Live-Work-Create District is bustling with artists, artisans, and creative, artisanal businesses. Come to our neighborhood on the river as much as you can, but especially during our First Friday Art & Studio Stroll. You’ll find many locations open during the event, including artist studios, restaurants, and businesses featuring art events. In addition, there will be special events at many locations, including exhibits, readings, and performances.
Hip Holiday Craft Market at Flying M Coffee
Saturday, December 2nd | 9am-5pm | Flying M Cafe | 1314 2nd St S, Nampa, ID
Save the date! Our 17th annual #hipholidaycraftmarket will be Saturday, Dec. 2nd! Handmade, up-cycled, all natural, original works by local artists– we will have it all! Join us at Flying M in Downtown Nampa to shop unique, handmade wares from 35 artists and crafters! Hip Holiday Craft Market vendors take over our garage and parking lot (in a heated tent!) every December with innovative products and keepsakes made with fine craftsmanship. Support your local makers by shopping Hip Holiday!
3rd Annual Heartfelt Holiday Haus
Saturday, December 2nd- Sunday, December 3rd | 11am-6pm | SkinOwl | Bown Crossing
SkinOwl is bringing you so much more than dewey, glowing, beautiful skin this winter! Kicking off the holiday season is the 3rd annual Heartfelt Holiday Haus- an event hosted by SkinOwl at their storefront in Bown Crossing. Toast the coming holiday with crafted drinks, jaunty tunes and oh-so-many beauty products to keep skin looking and feeling fresh all winter long. Gifts for everyone on your list, most under $50 (so you can get one for yourself, too!). So that’s what they mean by “self care…” Jump headlong into the spa-lidays while supporting businesses locally.
First Thursday- Downtown Boise
Thursday, December 7th | 5pm-9pm | Various locations- Downtown Boise
Visit Downtown Boise the First Thursday of each month to experience art, shopping, dining, live music, family activities and entertainment in a special and unique way you’ll only find Downtown. Our local merchants plan exciting, engaging in-store events including food and beverage tastings, local art exhibits, and trunk shows. Stop into your favorite establishment or check out someplace new!
Shop Meridian Downtown Night
Friday, December 8th | 11am-9pm | Downtown Meridian | Various Locations
Shop Small. Support Local. Grab A Bite. Enjoy A Drink. Meridian Downtown is staying open for a night of holiday shopping fun! Come down and walk around, vote for your favorite decorated business, and shop local. Carolers will also be wandering around downtown singing Christmas Carols. Find something for everyone on your list in downtown Meridian at a variety of unique shops!
Boise Phil Presents: Holiday Pops with Curtis Stigers
Saturday, December 9th | 1pm-10pm | Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
Celebrate the magic and warmth of the holiday season with festive music! Hometown favorite Curtis Stigers is joining us this year. Known for his jazz influence and his unmistakable voice, he’s featured on a program of holiday classics and winter songs with plenty of festive cheer. Back by popular demand, the Boise Phil Master Chorale will take the stage for beloved classics and holiday concert must-haves. Sit back and enjoy the sounds of the season.
Breakfast with Santa @ Zoo Boise
Saturday, December 16th | 8am-10am | Zoo Boise
At Breakfast with Santa, guests will be treated to a buffet breakfast, kids craft time, personal time with Santa, animal experience, and photos with Santa if purchased in advance. Then you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the zoo! It is required for at least one paid adult to attend with children. Printed photos with Santa are available, but must be purchased in advance. Personal devices may not be used without a purchased photo. A breakfast reservation is required for photo purchase. To allow for personal time with Santa, limited space is available. Price for Breakfast with Santa includes service fees and tax. Children 2 yrs. and under are free, but require a reservation. Cost includes all day zoo admission.
Saturday, December 16th | 11am – 6pm | North End Neighborhood Boise
Up to 10 houses or businesses happily open their doors and share the festive cheer and decoration of their homes. We are currently taking candidate houses under consideration for this years tour. Please submit your home or business for inclusion in this years Holiday Home Tour by emailing [email protected]. NENA provides volunteers to watch the houses. Owners do not need to be in attendance, but it is always more fun if they do! The houses should be open from around 11 am to 5 pm ish. Areas of the homes can be closed off as needed. Please feel free to email us if you have any further questions.
YMCA Christmas Run
Saturday, December 23rd | 10am-1pm | Boise High School | Downtown Boise
It’s the most wonderful time of the Year! Make this a December to remember with Santa, family, and friends at the YMCA Christmas Run! Create a new family tradition or continue a long-standing one! Celebrate the holiday season as a family or family of friends by running or walking together. Join the festivities! Santa will be there starting the race! Wear your holiday costumes to show your spirit! Enjoy your time after you finish with a bagel from Blue Sky Bagels. Awards will be announced as soon as they are available in the Boise High School Cafeteria. Overall distance winners and costume contest winners will receive Holiday Centerpieces from Hillcrest Floral. There will be raffle prizes and more from local partners!
Winter Garden aGlow
Friday, November 17th – Sunday, December 31st | 6pm-9pm | Idaho Botanical Garden
Celebrate the wonders of the season at Winter Garden aGlow, a magical event, Wednesdays through Sundays, Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. Wander through a mesmerizing world of twinkling lights, enchanting displays, and the sweet aroma of nightly cookies and hot chocolate. Let the kids explore this Winter Wonderland, while you enjoy intimate moments by the fire pits and sip holiday drinks at the Snow Globe Bar. Write heartfelt letters to Santa, witness the creativity of our community at the Gingerbread Village, and capture unforgettable memories. Join us and embrace the joy of togetherness in this luminous winter wonderland!
11th Annual Idaho Potato Drop
Sunday, December 31st | 6pm-1am | Idaho State Capitol | Downtown Boise
Idaho’s signature holiday event that can only be truly experienced LIVE at the Idaho State Capitol! The Idaho®️ Potato Drop is a free and charitable world-class New Year’s Eve destination that supports local arts, business and charities. KTVB will be on hand broadcasting live across NBC stations in Cecil D. Andrus Park featuring music, sporting events and live art performances. Happy New Year!
