Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Boise (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Mountain Time
We list 5 family events around Boise for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Nampa Pumpkin Spice 5K
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 8am start (race-day pickup 6:45–7:45am)
- Cost
- Paid registration; see the race page for current prices
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 5K run/walk on the Nampa greenbelt, open to walkers and families. Pumpkin pie bites at the halfway point and hot cocoa at the finish; bring a canned food item for local food banks. No dogs on the course.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Boise Turkey Day 5K & Kids 5K
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 9am
- Cost
- Kids 5K $18 + fee; 5K $45–$55 + fee (rises after Nov 3 and Nov 19)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A Thanksgiving-morning 5K run/walk by the Capitol, with a separate Kids 5K for ages 12 and under.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
$3 Admission Days at Zoo Boise
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 (Nov 27 and Dec 19–31 (closed Dec 25)) · 10am–5pm
- Cost
- $3 per person admission
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
All zoo admissions are $3 the day after Thanksgiving and over the holiday break, plus $3 hot dogs, fountain drinks and popcorn.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Canyon County Festival of Trees
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Nov 29 · Fri 10am–6:30pm; Sat 10:30am–5:30pm; Sun 10am–4pm
- Cost
- Adults $15; seniors and kids 4–12 $10; 3 and under free (Santa photos extra)
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Beautifully decorated trees, entertainment and pictures with Santa, benefiting Canyon County Meals on Wheels. Add-ons: Cookies with Santa (Fri 7pm, $20) and Breakfast with Santa (Sat 8am, $30). Tickets at the door; free parking.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · 5pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The Friday after Thanksgiving, a towering evergreen with more than 5,000 lights is lit in a free, all-ages ceremony with live holiday music and a candle-lighting tradition.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Boise over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 5 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free, including Nampa Pumpkin Spice 5K (Nampa, Thu, Nov 26), Boise Turkey Day 5K & Kids 5K (Boise, Thu, Nov 26), $3 Admission Days at Zoo Boise (Boise, Fri, Nov 27) and Canyon County Festival of Trees (Nampa, Nov 27 – Nov 29). See all 5 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Boise are free?
1 event on our list is free: Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting (Boise, Fri, Nov 27).
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Boise need tickets or registration?
1 event on our list says on the official page that it needs advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Nampa Pumpkin Spice 5K (Nampa). Book through each official page.
Which Boise-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 2 cities, including Boise (3) and Nampa (2).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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