By Sylvia Dorrance, REALTOR®, eXp Realty
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so the weekend before it has a full slate of costume events in the Boise area, known locally as the Treasure Valley. From Friday evening through Sunday, October 23-25, the lineup includes Boo at the Zoo at Zoo Boise, Night of a Thousand Pumpkins at Eagle City Hall, JUMP-or-Treat in the JUMP Park downtown, the Halloween Carnival at the Downtown Boise YMCA, and the Boise Fall Home Show at Expo Idaho. Times and locations are below, all confirmed on the organizers' own pages.
Friday, October 23
Friday, October 23, opens with the Halloween Carnival at the Downtown Boise YMCA, 1050 W State St, from 5 to 7 p.m. The Treasure Valley Family YMCA's event offers carnival games, treats, and festive Halloween activities for all ages. Also on Friday, the Boise Fall Home Show opens at Expo Idaho from 5 to 9 p.m. with more than 150 displays covering remodeling, landscaping, and design ideas. The show continues Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and free for ages 12 and under.
Saturday, October 24
Saturday, October 24, is the busiest day. Boo at the Zoo runs at Zoo Boise, in Julia Davis Park along the river, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last admission at 4 p.m. The event includes trick-or-treat candy stations, costume contests for all ages, face painting, vendors, and Halloween-themed treats for the zoo animals. Regular zoo admission applies, and current Zoo Boise members are free.
That evening, the City of Eagle hosts the fourth annual Night of a Thousand Pumpkins from 6 to 9 p.m. at Eagle City Hall, 660 E Civic Ln. One thousand carved, lit jack-o-lanterns surround the building, with trunk-or-treat, a haunted City Hall, a chili cook-off, and food trucks on site. The event is free.
Downtown, JUMP-or-Treat fills the JUMP Park at 1000 W Myrtle St from 5 to 8 p.m. The free event features larger-than-life inflatables, with costumes encouraged and treats along the way for all ages. An optional Reverse Trick or Treat donation drive collects for local nonprofits.
Sunday, October 25
Sunday, October 25, offers a second full day of Boo at the Zoo and a final day of the Boise Fall Home Show, making it easy to catch an event if Saturday does not fit.
Where these events sit is worth knowing: Eagle City Hall is near downtown Eagle; Zoo Boise anchors Julia Davis Park along the Boise River; and the JUMP Park sits in the heart of downtown Boise, just off the core of shops and restaurants. The Boise River Greenbelt runs along the river beside the zoo.
A few practical notes. Parking fills early at Zoo Boise and around Eagle City Hall, so arrive early or carpool. October evenings in the Boise area turn cool quickly, so layers help. The home show and the YMCA carnival offer indoor, dry options, while the zoo and park events are best on a clear evening.
Sylvia's take
Pick one anchor event instead of trying to do everything. Boo at the Zoo fills the weekend at Zoo Boise, Night of a Thousand Pumpkins is Saturday evening's showpiece in Eagle, and JUMP-or-Treat brings costumes downtown. If you're getting to know a part of the Boise area, an event weekend is a good time to see it in person. Bring layers and be patient with parking.
Frequently asked questions
Does Boo at the Zoo require a separate ticket?
No. Regular Zoo Boise admission applies, and current members get in free.
Is Night of a Thousand Pumpkins free?
Yes. It is hosted by the City of Eagle at Eagle City Hall.
Is JUMP-or-Treat free?
Yes. It is a free community event in the JUMP Park downtown, with an optional Reverse Trick or Treat donation drive.
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