Christmas in Boise &
Winter Garden aGlow 2023

Christmas in Boise & Winter Garden aGlow 2023

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.

Winter Garden

• Nov 23 – Dec 31 – 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 Thursday 24th (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!
• Saturday 18th November – Wintry Market – Idaho’s premier curated Winter maker’s market showcasing the best of art, craft and design.
• Sunday 3rd December – Eguberriko Azoka – Basque Christmas Market – special 1 Day block event at The Basque Block Grove St between 6th St & Capitol Blvd.
• Scentsy Commons Christmas Lights – Check out the Scentsy Commons Christmas Lights every night between now and New Year’s Day! Over 43 miles of lights, a 75-foot Christmas tree, and the famous light tunnel await you!
• Expo Idaho – Christmas in Colour – Drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. Drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more. Take your time enjoying this lighting extravaganza – we won’t judge you if you join the kids with your face pressed against the window!
• Lighting of the Christmas Tree – day after thanksgiving at Grove Plaza. Downtown Boise is the place to kick off your holiday celebration!

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