For more than a century, something remarkable has happened in Boise each spring.
Stages fill. Choirs gather. Musicians—many of them neighbors, teachers, students, and friends—step forward to perform, not for ticket sales or touring audiences, but for the community.
From May 2 through May 10, Boise Music Week returns for its 107th year, continuing what is considered the longest-running free musical celebration in the country.
That longevity traces back to a simple idea.
In 1919, Eugene A. Farner returned home from World War I with a vision: create a first-class musical celebration featuring local talent—and make sure no one would ever have to pay to attend. More than a century later, that promise still holds.
Every performance is free. Every show is powered by volunteers. And every year, the talent comes from within the Treasure Valley.
The week feels less like a festival and more like a reflection of the place it comes from.
This year’s lineup returns with a mix of familiar and new performances. Music in the Park opens at the Gene Harris Bandshell, followed by Dance Night at Borah High School. Community Worship Night, the Children’s Music Series, and a series of noontime organ recitals once again fill First Presbyterian Church.
At the Egyptian Theatre, audiences will find both All That’s Jazz and the silent film accompanied by live organ—an experience that still draws a crowd.
The week builds toward its largest production: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, staged at the Morrison Center. Lighthearted and energetic, it continues a long tradition of bringing a full musical to Boise audiences each year.
While the performances are polished, what happens behind the scenes is just as significant. Boise Music Week is entirely volunteer-driven, supported by thousands of donated hours—from performers and directors to set builders and event organizers.
That collective effort has allowed the event to endure, even as Boise has grown and evolved.
Over time, Boise Music Week has adapted. Early outdoor performances at the Idaho Statehouse moved indoors during wartime restrictions, later re-emerging in parks and venues across the city. Youth-focused events have shifted with school calendar
Event Highlights
Fri, May 1 • 7:00 PM
Jazz Night — Egyptian Theatre
Sat, May 2 • 3:30–8:00 PM
Music in the Park — Gene Harris Bandshell
Sat, May 2 • 7:00 PM
Dance Night — Borah High School
Sun, May 3 • 7:00 PM
Community Worship — First Presbyterian Church
Mon, May 4 • 12:15 PM
Organ Recital — First Presbyterian Church
Mon, May 4 • 7:00 PM
Showcase Concert — Borah High School
Tue, May 5 • 12:15 PM
Organ Recital — First Presbyterian Church
Wed, May 6 • 12:15 PM
Organ Recital — First Presbyterian Church
Thu, May 7 • 12:15 PM
Organ Recital — First Presbyterian Church
Thu, May 7 • 7:30 PM
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying — Morrison Center
Fri, May 8 • 12:00 PM
Silent Movie — Egyptian Theatre
Fri, May 8 • 7:30 PM
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying — Morrison Center
Sat, May 9 • 2:00 PM
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying — Morrison Center
Sat, May 9 • 7:30 PM
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying — Morrison Center
Sun, May 10 • 2:00 PM
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying — Morrison Center