The Top 5 Outdoor Concert Venues in the Treasure Valley
So, you’re thinking about moving to the Treasure Valley or maybe you’re lucky enough to already live here? If you are ready to see some live music this summer, Boise and the surrounding area has some of the most fun outdoor venues in the Northwest!
Outlaw Field at The Idaho Botanical Gardens- Southeast Boise
Outlaw Field at The Idaho Botanical Gardens is located off of Warm Springs Avenue and tops our list of the top 5 outdoor concert venues in the Treasure Valley. Their annual summer concert series has a diverse array of top music performers in a garden setting. Past and upcoming acts include Wilco, The Avett Brothers, Modest Mouse and Neil Young.
Bonus: The Idaho Botanical Gardens also features a Great Garden Escape Concert Series on Thursday evenings in the summer where you can bring a blanket and pack a picnic to chill out in the garden area and listen to local bands.
Find Outlaw Field on Facebook and Instagram
The Grove Plaza- Downtown Boise
Alive After 5 is a free concert series held on The Grove Plaza in Downtown Boise and is the original outdoor concert venue in the Boise area. 2022 marks the 35th anniversary of this local event held every Wednesday evening. Showcasing local and upcoming musical acts, The Grove Plaza features picnic tables, shade trees, sun umbrellas and of course their signature Grove Fountain for the kiddos to play. Just be sure to get there right at 5 if you can, since the venue is quite popular and fills up fast!
Bonus: You can bring your own food to The Grove Plaza but why not make a night of it with so many fun bars and restaurants in the downtown area!
Find Alive After Five on The Grove Plaza on Facebook and Instagram
Outdoor Amphitheater at The Ford Idaho Center- Nampa
Perhaps you’ve heard of big-name musical artists who play arena style concerts at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa. But did you know there is an Outdoor Amphitheater on the property that hosts top bands from around the country in their outdoor venue? Some of the past and upcoming acts include The Goo Goo Dolls, Dirty Heads, James Taylor and Jack Johnson. Located a short 20-minute drive from Boise and conveniently located off the I-84 exit, The Outdoor Amphitheater at The Ford Idaho Center is always a good time!
Bonus: Traffic around The Idaho Ford Center can be heavy during concerts so why not carpool with fellow concert goers or even better, take an Uber right to the gate.
Find The Outdoor Amphitheater at The Idaho Ford Center on Facebook and Instagram
Music on the Water at Esther Simplot Park- Boise
Music on the Water is another FREE, family friendly summer outdoor concert series held at the Esther Simplot Park in Whitewater Park only minutes from downtown Boise. Featuring local bands, a kid's zone, vendors and a beer garden, concerts in Whitewater Park are some of the most fun in the Treasure Valley. With usually several concert events in the summer months, be sure to check their website, grab your paddle board and mark your calendar.
Bonus: Located conveniently off of the Boise greenbelt, you and your family can ride bikes to the event and there is even a free bike valet at the venue.
Find Music on the Water at Esther Simplot Park at Facebook and Instagram
The Western Idaho Fairgrounds- Garden City, Idaho
The Western Idaho Fairgrounds and Expo Idaho hold 2 of the biggest outdoor concert events in the Treasure Valley every summer. The Boise Music Fest is a one-day music festival with past artists such as Fitz and The Tantrums, Pitbull, Tone Loc and The Eli Young Band. The other big event at the venue is the Western Idaho Fair Grandstand Concert Series which is free with admission to the Western Idaho Fair. Part and upcoming artists include Joan Jett, Nelly, Stone Temple Pilots and Ja Rule with Ashanti.
Bonus: The Western Idaho Fairgrounds is another great venue off of the Boise greenbelt where you can ride your bike to! The concerts get crowded but if you can, grab some of the seats in the top row of the Grandstand for one of the best views of the Boise foothills.
Find the Western Idaho Fairgrounds on Facebook and Instagram
Jennifer Varner is a retired counselor and yoga instructor turned freelance writer. Read her travel blog at www.galgoessolo.com or contact her at jenvdotcom@gmail.com for content creation.