Hey, Boise! Start 2024 with free skiing, a chilling plunge for a cause, and family fun
Here’s wishing everyone a happy 2024! How will you start the new year?
January is kinda dreary and blah to some, but for all you powder hounds, how about skiing for free? Ponderosa State Park in McCall, just a short drive from Boise, will be waiving fees on Saturday, Jan. 6, for Free Winter Access Day (formerly known a Free Ski Day) for cross-country enthusiasts. There will also be free lessons offered in cross-country and snowshoeing throughout the day, but to participate you need to reserve a time slot at eventbrite.com.
Free Winter Access Day (Jan. 6) does not apply to downhill ski areas, only to the Idaho Park N Ski locations and various state parks, with the exception of the Palouse Divide Park N Ski area. It will host its Free Winter Access Day on Jan. 13. For more information, visit parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/pressrelease/upcoming-winter-events-with-idaho-parks-and-recreation-3.
The outdoor-related activities don’t end there. The Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo at Expo Idaho is Friday-Saturday, Jan. 5-6, and the Great Idaho Gun Show at the Ford Idaho Center is Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 6-7.
And let’s not forget about the annual fundraiser where brave souls take icy-cold dips for a super-cool cause. The Gebert-Arbaugh Polar Bear Challenge, which typically takes place on Jan. 1, has been moved to Saturday, Jan. 6, to increase participation. After all, it is pretty rough getting outta bed that early after New Year’s Eve shenanigans. Register at 10 a.m. for the 11 a.m. plunge at Lucky Peak Reservoir and Spring Shores Marina, which continues to benefit Make-A-Wish Idaho.
For those looking for something a little less system-shocking, there are a number of events indoors and designed for the whole family.
The husband and wife duo 123 Andres is performing at the Morrison Center on Friday, Jan. 12. The team creates children’s music in both English and Spanish.
Is your kid a part of the Bluey craze? Most likely. Bluey’s Big Play, the new theatrical adaptation of award-winning children’s television series, is coming to the Morrison Center on Jan. 23-24.
And for an entire day filled with interactive booths, magicians, clowns, and meet and greets with Chase and Marshall of “Paw Patrol,” as well as Papa Smurf and Smurfette, the Canyon County Kids Expo is where it’s at. Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Ford Idaho Center.
Stay warm and have fun this January!
Note: Check with event websites or social media before attending. Events might be canceled or postponed after press deadline.
Festivals/Fairs
Scentsy Commons Holiday Lights: Daily through Jan. 15, 2901 E. Pine Ave., Meridian. The campus has been wrapped in more than 900,000 lights. The largest attraction is its 250-foot-light tunnel, along with the 75-foot tall, light-up Christmas tree. Free.
Outdoors
Western Idaho Fly Fishing Expo: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $15 general, $10 students with ID, free for children 13 and younger. idahoflyfishingexpo.com. Bob Davis, 916-220-3647 or Ted Eisele, 208-971-4329.
Great Idaho Gun Show: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, Ford Idaho Center, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. Sponsored By Lewis-Clark Trader. $10 admission.
Performance Arts
Stars of Steinway: 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, First Presbyterian Church, 950 W. State St., Boise; and 4 p.m. Jan. 21, Dunkley Music, 3410 N. Eagle Road, Meridian. For the centennial of “Rhapsody in Blue.” $15 suggested donation at the door. starsofsteinway.com.
Spectator Sports
Idaho Steelheads hockey: 7:10 p.m., Idaho Central Arena, 233 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. $19-$55. idahosteelheads.com.
▪ vs. Reading Royals, Wednesday Jan. 3, and Friday-Saturday, Jan. 5-6
▪ vs. Kansas City Mavericks, Wednesday, Jan. 10, and Friday-Saturday, Jan. 12-13
▪ vs. Allen Americans, Wednesday, Jan. 31
Boise State Broncos men’s basketball: ExtraMile Arena, 1401 Bronco Lane, Boise. $10-$40. 208-426-4737, broncosports.com.
▪ Tuesday, Jan. 9: vs. Colorado State, 7 p.m.
▪ Tuesday, Jan. 16: vs. UNLV, 8 p.m.
▪ Saturday, Jan. 20: vs. San Diego State, 11 a.m.
▪ Saturday, Jan. 27: vs. Utah State, 2 p.m.
Theater
Stage Coach Theatre’s “Love...or Best Offer”: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Jan. 19-20, 26-27, Feb. 2-3; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1; and 2 p.m. Jan. 28 and Feb. 3, 4802 W. Emerald St., Boise. $25 general, $22.50 seniors, military, students. 208-342-2000, stagecoachtheatre.com.
Bluey’s Big Play: 6 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan. 23-24, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $29.75-$135. Ticketmaster.
Jan. 4
Sasha The Band: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, Shrine Basement, 1118 W. Idaho St., Boise. $10. eventbrite.com. $12 at the door. Opening: The Other Room There.
Jan. 5
Lectures by Lushes: A Drunken Lecture Series: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, Shrine Basement, 1118 W. Idaho St., Boise. Ted Talks meets drunk history — come see smart people teach you about interesting topics while completely hammered. $15. eventbrite.com.
Jan. 6
Gebert-Arbaugh Polar Bear Challenge: Day-of registration at 10 a.m. with the plunge at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, Spring Shores Marina, 74 Arrowrock Road, Boise. Jump, water ski or wakeboard in the water to benefit Make-A-Wish Idaho. New date: Make-A-Wish Idaho understands that getting out of bed on Jan. 1 can be a challenge in itself; therefore, the date has been changed to Jan. 6 to promote greater participation and to be gentler to participants. Free; however, donations encouraged. Spectators welcome. idaho.wish.org.
Blood Lemon: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, Treefort Music Hall, 722 W. Broad St., Boise. $12. eventbrite.com. $15 at the door. Opening: Blix, Strangelily.
The Pirate’s Booty Ball: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. A sapphic and queer themed dance party with DJ Effy K and Aura Lux. Come dressed in pirate or nautical-themed attire. $10 at neurolux.com/the-pirates-booty-ball-2, $15 at the door.
Jan. 7
Molly Parden: 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $15. TicketWeb. Opening: Shane T.
Jan. 11
Anthony Jeselnik: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $35-$75. Ticketmaster.
Locals Nite at the Knit: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. Featuring Crush The Monster, The Jerkwadz, Filth Hound, Grimage, and Reverie. $12 general, $24 reserved balcony. TicketWeb.
Jan. 12
123 Andres: 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. Husband and wife duo that creates children’s music in both English and Spanish. $9.50. Ticketmaster.
Open Format: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, Treefort Music Hall, 722 W. Broad St., Boise. Featuring Brian Aggression, Pintooth, Brix, Mind Fabric, Boon, Hellhound. $12. eventbrite.com. $15 at the door.
Boise Underground Media’s 1st Birthday: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, Shrine Basement, 1118 W. Idaho St., Boise. Featuring Switch Full Lotus, The Madcap Laughs, and Downcoast. $12. eventbrite.com. $15 at the door.
Club 90’s Present: 2000’s Night: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $18. TicketWeb.
Jan. 18
Field to Fork Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, JUMP, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise. Trade fair that showcases local products and connects the public and industry members with Idaho independent food and beverage producers, restaurants, retailers, and industry partners. Also, panel discussions, chef-led classes, more. Free. fareidaho.org/field-to-fork.
Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, Argyros Performing Arts Center, 120 Main St. S., Ketchum. $10-$60. svmoa.org/events.
Jan. 20
Boise Phil’s Rachmaninoff the Romantic: 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. With guest artist Haochen Zhang, piano. $32.68-$102.64 general, $15 students. 208-344-7849, boisephil.org.
Jan. 21
Hed PE: 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $20. TicketWeb. Opening: Johnny Richter x Stacc Styles.
Jan. 23
Bryan Adams: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, Ford Idaho Center Arena, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $35-$149.50. fordidahocenter.com. Special guest: Eurythmics Songbook ft. Dave Stewart.
Jan. 25
Buck Meek: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. $18. TicketWeb. $20 at the door.
The Cabin Readings & Conversations presents Steve Inskeep w/Nicholas Kristoff: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $48 and $63. Ticketmaster.
Jan. 26
Reckless Kelly: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. $49.50-$69.50. Ticketmaster.
Jan. 27
Canyon County Kids Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, Ford Idaho Center Arena, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. More than 100 interactive booths, jumpy toys, slides, meet and greets, magicians, clowns, karate demonstrations, and featured guests Chase and Marshall of “Paw Patrol,” as well as Papa Smurf and Smurfette. $5 general, $4 children 16 and younger. canyoncountykidsexpo.com.
119th annual Robert Burns Night: 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 Chinden Blvd., Garden City. Poetry, singing, piping, Scottish Highland dancing, more. Tickets at tvscots.org/#burns, Need to Bead (5420 Franklin Road, Boise), or by calling 208-283-2563.
Mike Super: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. Theatrical show with NBC’s star magician, a top finalist from “America’s Got Talent.” $18.50-$50. Ticketmaster.
