Best Events in Boise This Weekend: October 2–4, 2026

October is starting with a packed weekend in Boise and across the Treasure Valley.

Boise State Homecoming brings the parade and a Saturday night football game to campus, Potato Days takes over the Idaho Botanical Garden, hundreds of dogs and their humans will gather at Julia Davis Park, and local artists are opening their studios to visitors across the valley.

If you're trying to decide what to do in Boise this weekend, here are some of the events worth putting on your calendar for Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Boise State Homecoming Weekend

**When:** Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 **Where:** Boise State University **Best for:** Boise State fans, families, alumni and anyone looking for a classic Boise weekend

Boise State's Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend runs September 28 through October 4. Two of the biggest public events arrive Friday and Saturday.

The Homecoming Parade takes place Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. The procession begins near the Morrison Center and travels down Friendship Lane through campus.

Then attention turns to The Blue on Saturday. Boise State hosts Utah State at Albertsons Stadium with kickoff scheduled for **5:30 p.m.**

Expect the Boise State area and surrounding roads to be much busier than a typical Saturday. Boise State has announced temporary parking closures and traffic changes for both the parade and game.

**YoBoise tip:** Give yourself extra time around Broadway Avenue, University Drive and the stadium area Friday evening and throughout game day Saturday.

Potato Days at the Idaho Botanical Garden

**When:** October 2–4 **Where:** Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 Old Penitentiary Road **Best for:** Families, food lovers and anyone ready to embrace Idaho's potato reputation

There may not be a more Idaho way to start October.

Potato Days Boise brings potato-inspired food and beverages, live music and entertainment, local beer, wine and cider, family-friendly activities and a celebration of Idaho agriculture to the Idaho Botanical Garden.

The weekend also concludes the Garden's 2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid raffle. The winning ticket is scheduled to be drawn during Potato Days on October 4.

See Spot Walk

**When:** Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. **Where:** Julia Davis Park **Best for:** Dog owners, families and animal lovers

The Idaho Humane Society's See Spot Walk returns to Julia Davis Park for its 34th year.

The event begins at 10 a.m., followed by the one-mile Greenbelt walk at 10:30 a.m. Dog contests begin at 11:30 a.m., an alumni pet parade is scheduled for 12:25 p.m., and the event wraps up at 12:30 p.m.

Food trucks, vendors and giveaways are also part of the morning. The event supports the Idaho Humane Society and its work caring for animals throughout the community.

Boise Open Studios Tour

**When:** Saturday and Sunday, October 3–4 **Where:** Artist studios throughout Boise and the Treasure Valley **Best for:** Art lovers, families and anyone looking for something different

Boise Open Studios gives visitors a chance to step inside the working spaces of local artists instead of only seeing finished work in a gallery.

The Boise Open Studios Collective Organization features more than 125 Treasure Valley artists working across painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry, textiles, glass and other mediums.

The 2026 tour runs over two weekends. East-side studios are open October 3–4, followed by west-side studios October 10–11. Use BOSCO's current tour map to plan your stops before leaving home.

Scarecrow Stroll at the Idaho Botanical Garden

**When:** October 1–November 2 **Where:** Idaho Botanical Garden **Best for:** Families, fall photos and a lower-key weekend activity

The Idaho Botanical Garden's Scarecrow Stroll begins October 1 and runs through November 2.

That makes this the first weekend to see the seasonal display. If you're already visiting the Garden for Potato Days, it is an easy way to add another fall activity to the trip.

Boise State Volleyball

**When:** Saturday, October 3, noon–2 p.m. **Where:** Bronco Gym **Best for:** Boise State sports fans

Football is not the only Boise State home event Saturday. Boise State women's volleyball hosts Texas State at Bronco Gym from noon to 2 p.m.

For sports fans who want another Boise State event before the football game, this gives you an afternoon option right on campus.

A Simple Saturday Game Plan

Want to turn Saturday into a full Boise day?

Start at Julia Davis Park for **See Spot Walk** at 10 a.m. Afterward, grab lunch downtown or visit a few stops on the **Boise Open Studios Tour**.

If you're attending the Boise State game, start moving toward campus well before kickoff. Boise State has announced game-day parking closures, and Homecoming will bring additional traffic and pedestrians to the area.

Then finish the evening at Albertsons Stadium for **Boise State vs. Utah State at 5:30 p.m.**

If You Have Kids

Three easy family options are **Potato Days**, **See Spot Walk** and **Boise Open Studios**.

The **Scarecrow Stroll** is another flexible choice because it runs throughout the weekend and into November rather than requiring you to arrive for a single start time.

If You Want Something Free or Flexible

The **Boise State Homecoming Parade** Friday evening is an easy way to participate in Homecoming without a football ticket.

The **Boise Open Studios Tour** is another flexible weekend option. Build your own route using the official tour map and visit the studios that interest you most.

What to Know Before You Go

This is a Boise State home football and Homecoming weekend, so Saturday traffic deserves extra attention.

Boise State says several stadium-area parking lots will close beginning late Friday night ahead of Saturday's game. Campus parking and traffic are expected to be busier throughout Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend.

For any event, check the organizer's current information before leaving home. Times, ticket availability, parking instructions and weather-related details can change.

What Are You Doing in Boise This Weekend?

October is one of the best times of year to get outside in the Treasure Valley, and this weekend offers several distinctly Boise ways to do it.

Whether you're watching the Broncos on The Blue, celebrating Idaho potatoes, walking your dog through Julia Davis Park or exploring a local artist's studio, there is plenty happening around Boise from October 2 through October 4.

YoBoise Idaho will continue publishing weekend guides as new events are announced.

Have an event we should know about? Contact YoBoise Idaho and tell us what's happening around the Treasure Valley.