🌳 New Park Alert: Ada County's Park at Expo Idaho Is Open
Ada County's brand-new Park at Expo Idaho is open, and it's free. About 50 acres in Garden City on the old Les Bois Park site behind the fairgrounds, it has a world-class all-wheel skate park (skate, BMX, scooter and roller), a nature playground, about 3 miles of trails, restored wetlands and a direct connection to the Boise River Greenbelt.
Open sunup to sundown. Park at the Remington St. lot (from Chinden via Kent Ln.) or the Backstretch Blvd. lot (from Glenwood by the Hawks stadium). Bike racks throughout.
📍 5610 Glenwood St., Boise, ID 83714
Hey, Treasure Valley!
Halloween lands on Saturday this year, and the Treasure Valley is giving us plenty of ways to celebrate before, during and after the big night.
You can take the kids to a live spooky symphony, hunt for winter gear at the 75th Annual Ski Swap, hear the strange true stories behind downtown Nampa, or step inside the Old Idaho Penitentiary after dark. Once the costumes are packed away, the week rolls straight into arena sports, classic rock and a free hands-on food workshop.
Saturday may bring a few showers and Sunday currently looks wet, so keep an eye on the forecast, wear a warm layer and verify outdoor details before leaving home. Here are your picks for October 29–November 4. Choose your adventure and make a plan!
1. Boise Philharmonsters: A Spooky Symphony — Boise 🎻
The Vibe: The Boise Philharmonic turns Halloween afternoon into a family celebration with a free Trunk-or-Treat from noon to 1:30 PM, a costume contest at 1:45 PM and a 2:00 PM concert featuring music from Jaws, Harry Potter, Night on Bald Mountain and more.
When: Saturday, October 31, 12:00–3:00 PM
Where: Centennial High School Auditorium and parking lot, 12402 W. McMillan Road, Boise
Price: Concert tickets are $15 for adults and free for youth 18 and under.
Best For: Families, first-time orchestra audiences and kids who want one more reason to wear a costume.
Tater’s Take: "Do the free candy loop first, then head inside for the concert. It is one of the easiest ways to turn classical music into a full family outing."
2. 75th Annual Ski Swap — Boise ⛷️
The Vibe: Treasure Valley skiers and riders can browse new and used skis, snowboards, boots, clothing and winter gear while supporting youth mountain-sports programs.
When: Friday, October 30, 10:00 AM–10:00 PM; Saturday, October 31, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; Sunday, November 1, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Where: Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood Street, Boise
Price: Admission is $5 Friday and Saturday. Sunday is free with at least two canned-food items for Boise Rescue Mission, or $5 without a donation.
Best For: Families outfitting growing kids, bargain hunters and anyone preparing for snow season.
Tater’s Take: "Bring a written size list and a firm budget. The best finds go quickly, but the biggest win is leaving with gear that actually fits."
Good to Know: It's right next door to the new Park at Expo Idaho, so you can pair gear shopping with a walk on the new trails.
3. Nampa Nightmares Guided Tours — Nampa 👻
The Vibe: A 90-minute guided walk through downtown Nampa tied to true stories of murder, disaster, scandal, tunnels and unsolved mysteries.
When: Thursday, October 29 at 7:30 PM (the 7:00 PM tour is sold out); Friday and Saturday, October 30–31 at 7:00, 7:30 and 9:00 PM
Where: Meet at Lloyd Square near the red NAMPA letters on 13th Avenue South, Nampa
Price: $20 per person, available online only. Reservations are required.
Best For: Local-history fans, adults who prefer true stories to jump scares and small groups ready to walk outdoors after dark.
Tater’s Take: "This is spooky because the stories belong to real streets and buildings. Dress warm, wear comfortable shoes and reserve before the remaining tours disappear."
Good to Know: Recommended for ages 18 and older due to mature subject matter.
4. Idaho Steelheads vs. Rapid City Rush — Boise 🏒
The Vibe: The Steelheads open a three-game home set against Rapid City with a midweek downtown matchup.
When: Wednesday, November 4; doors 6:15 PM, puck drop 7:10 PM
Where: Idaho Central Arena, 233 S. Capitol Boulevard, Boise
Price: Tickets are on sale through the team page; prices and seat inventory vary.
Best For: Hockey fans, families who like high-energy indoor events and groups looking for a Wednesday night out.
Tater’s Take: "A Wednesday game is a great reset after Halloween weekend. Arrive for warmups, grab your seats early and let the arena energy carry the night."
5. Sustainable Food Systems with Boise Urban Garden School — Boise 🥕
The Vibe: This free Keep Boise Cool program includes a garden-site tour, a look at soil and resource-conscious growing practices, and a food demonstration using seasonal ingredients.
When: Tuesday, November 3, 5:30–7:00 PM
Where: Boise Urban Garden School, 2995 N. Five Mile Road, Boise
Price: Free. Registration is required and space is limited; a waitlist is available if the session fills.
Best For: Gardeners, home cooks, sustainability-minded families and anyone who wants useful ideas without a ticket price.
Tater’s Take: "Come for the garden knowledge and leave with something you can use at dinner. Free, practical and local is a pretty good Tuesday-night combination."
Fright Nights All Ages Night — Boise 🎃
The Vibe: The Old Pen opens after dark with haunted cell blocks, spooky history presentations, music, photo opportunities, food trucks and Halloween performances.
When: Friday, October 30, 7:00–11:00 PM; last admission 9:00 PM
Where: Old Idaho Penitentiary, 2445 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise
Price: $30 per person.
Best For: Teens, history lovers and anyone who wants a Halloween experience with both atmosphere and real Boise history.
Tater’s Take: "This is the full Halloween-night-before-Halloween plan: historic setting, live activity and enough genuine atmosphere that the building does half the work."
Good to Know: Recommended for ages 13 and older; guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Black Jacket Symphony Presents Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet — Nampa 🎸
The Vibe: The Black Jacket Symphony recreates Bon Jovi's landmark album live, followed by a set of the band's biggest hits.
When: Monday, November 2, 7:30 PM
Where: Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd Street South, Nampa
Price: Ticketed; check the venue page for current prices and seats before making dinner plans.
Best For: Couples who love classic rock, big sing-along choruses and a date night that does not need to wait for the weekend.
Gem’s Take: "Make Monday feel like Friday: dinner downtown, a short walk to the Civic Center and an album you already know front to back."
Trick or Treat at the City — Caldwell 🍬
The Vibe: Caldwell turns seven city facilities into a free, family-friendly trick-or-treat route. Each participating department hands out candy, giving younger children a daylight option and families a simple way to explore several civic stops around town.
When: Thursday, October 29, 2:30–4:30 PM
Where: Start at Caldwell City Hall, 205 S. 6th Avenue, Caldwell. Additional stops at the library, fire station, parks office, police department, street department and water department.
Price: Free.
Best For: Families with younger children, early Halloween planners and anyone looking for free afternoon fun.
Gem’s Take: "The multi-stop format makes this feel like a little city adventure instead of a single candy line. Start at City Hall and use the official location list to plan your route."
Quick Hits Around The Valley
🏀 Boise State Men’s Basketball vs. Bismarck State College (Exhibition)
When: Thursday, October 29; doors 6:00 PM, tip-off 7:00 PM
Where: ExtraMile Arena, 1401 Bronco Lane, Boise
Price: Free admission; no ticket needed.
Get the details by clicking here.
🎬 The Rocky Horror Picture Show
When: Saturday, October 31; doors 8:00 PM, show 9:00 PM
Where: Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main Street, Boise
Price: Check the venue page for tickets and remaining seats.
Good to Know: 18 and over (IDs checked) due to the live shadow cast. A later show is also listed for after midnight.
Get the details by clicking here.
🐕 ICCKC Dog Trials
When: Friday–Sunday, October 30–November 1, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM daily
Where: Expo Idaho Premium Building, 5610 N. Glenwood Street, Boise
Price: Free admission.
Good to Know: A free indoor option for dog lovers running alongside Ski Swap weekend.
Get the details by clicking here.
🦇 Halloween Bash at Idaho Film Society
When: Saturday, October 31, 9:00 PM–2:00 AM
Where: Idaho Film Society, 1212 W. Bannock Street, Boise (the old Greyhound bus station)
Price: Free; no ticket, no cover.
Good to Know: 21 and older.
Get the details by clicking here.
🏀 Boise State Women’s Basketball vs. Bushnell
When: Monday, November 2 (season opener); check the official page for tip-off time
Where: ExtraMile Arena, 1401 Bronco Lane, Boise
Price: Tickets on sale through the official arena page.
Get the details by clicking here.
🎨 Freedom at the Fort
When: Tuesday, November 3, 3:00–6:00 PM (schools are out for Election Day)
Where: Teen Activity Center, Fort Boise Community Center, 700 N. Robbins Road, Boise
Price: Free.
Good to Know: Ages 12–15. Food, art, games and activities.
Get the details by clicking here.
🛍️ Capital City Public Market
When: Saturday, October 31, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Where: The Grove Plaza, 827 W. Main Street, Boise
Price: Free to browse; vendor purchases extra.
Good to Know: Runs every Saturday through December 19.
Get the details by clicking here.
🥕 Boise Farmers Market
When: Saturday, October 31, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Where: 1500 Shoreline Drive, Boise
Price: Free to browse; vendor purchases extra.
Good to Know: The outdoor season runs April through October. The winter market opens November 7 at the Idaho Botanical Garden.
Get the details by clicking here.
🌽 Last Call: Lowe Family Farmstead Corn Maze
When: Thursday, October 29, 4:00–9:00 PM; Friday–Saturday, October 30–31, 10:00 AM–9:00 PM. Season ends October 31.
Where: 2500 S. Eagle Road, Kuna
Price: Check the farm’s site for admission prices.
Get the details by clicking here.
🎃 Last Call: Shindig Farms Straw Maze & Pumpkin Patch
When: Thursday, October 29, 4:00–9:00 PM; Friday–Saturday, October 30–31 (check the site for weekend hours). Season ends October 31.
Where: Shindig Farms, Nampa
Price: Check the farm’s site for current admission prices.
Get the details by clicking here.
🚜 Last Call: Ten Mile Farms Fall Fun
When: Thursday–Friday, October 29–30, 4:00–9:00 PM; Saturday, October 31, 10:00 AM–9:00 PM. Season ends October 31.
Where: Ten Mile Farms
Price: Check the farm’s site for tickets and prices.
Good to Know: Corn maze, pumpkins, hayride, barrel trains, straw slides and animals.
Get the details by clicking here.
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That's it for this week.
See you around the Valley,
Tater & Gem
Your local fun finders