Christmas in Boise &
Winter Garden aGlow 2026

Christmas in Boise & Winter Garden aGlow 2026

Join the Idaho Botanical Gardens this holiday season as the Garden is transformed into a twinkling wonderland in Boise.

• Stay close to the gay bars and clubs of Boise at the Hilton Hotel Downtown, rated “Fabulous” by guests with spacious rooms and delicious breakfast buffet.

Christmas in Boise

• Next Edition: Awaiting dates, typically from Mid November to the end of December.
• In Boise during Christmas you can expect the Idaho Botanical Gardens to transform into a sparkling wonderland with a tunnel of lights, model train display, local choirs, festive vendors and snacks, special Santa visits, plus seasonal events like a holiday parade, a Christmas show, tree lightings, and a Basque Christmas market.

Winter Garden

• Next Edition – Awaiting dates.
• Winter Garden aGlow is a festive event centered on decorating nature for the holidays. Peek into the Garden Cottage and send the big guy a postcard!
• Enjoy snacks and warm drinks from local vendors while you check out the holiday express model train display, wander through the coolest tunnel of lights in Boise, and see what wondrous creation Illumicone has in store for you this year.
• Winter Garden aGlow is open from Thanksgiving until late December.
• Special guest Santa will visit from the North Pole from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve and the Holiday Express, a G-scale model train, will wind its way through the glowing winter wonderland.
• Local choirs will fill the air with music on select nights. Be sure to stop in and visit the Garden Store for special “holiday specs” to turn the twinkling lights into holiday symbols and characters!

Top Tips

• Dress for Success – Buy those hand warmers in bulk. This event is outside, so be sure to dress for the weather. The gardens have plenty of local vendors on-site to help keep your stomachs full and your hands warm.
• Winter Garden aGlow is the gardens' biggest event and fundraiser of the year. The gardens are open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Open rain, shine, or snow.

Other Christmas Events in Boise

• Winter Wonderland Creek Lights at Indian Creek Plaza – Each year, the Caldwell Street Department decorates Indian Creek with over a million lights!
• Typically Friday and Saturday in mid December.  from 9am to 5pm  – Wintry Market – Idaho’s premier curated Winter maker’s market showcasing the best of art, craft and design.
• Typically the Saturday after Thanksgiving –  Lighting of the Christmas Tree – Saturday after thanksgiving at Grove Plaza. Downtown Boise is the place to kick off your holiday celebration!
• Typically the Saturday after Thanksgiving – The Boise Holiday Parade is a free, festive procession held downtown on the first Saturday in December, featuring floats, marching bands, dance groups, holiday cheer, and crowds lining the streets to celebrate the season.
• First Weekend in December – Eguberriko Azoka – Basque Christmas Market – special 1 Day block event at The Basque Block Grove St between 6th St & Capitol Blvd.
• First Weekend in December – Boise Christmas Show at Expo Idaho – Thousands of Unique Gifts, Over 225 Vendors, Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus!
• Typically 7 days at the end of November – Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees – a holiday charity event featuring elaborately decorated trees and wreaths, live performances, Santa visits, and a gala and fashion show to raise funds for local health causes.
• Awaiting dates – Scentsy Commons Christmas Lights – Check out the Scentsy Commons Christmas Lights every night between late November and New Year’s Day! Over 43 miles of lights, a 75-foot Christmas tree, and the famous light tunnel await you!

Recommended Hotels In Boise

Gay and gay friendly businesses are located in the more liberal downtown area.North End is one of the more popular districts for gay visitors, with plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.

The following hotels are all close to the city's top attractions & close to the Christmas celebrations

Hampton Inn,  Inn at 500 Capitol,  The Grove Hotel,  Hotel 43 Boise