October 2026 Events Around the Treasure Valley
Fall festivals, halloween events, community celebrations and thiings to do around Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa and Caldwell.
October might be one of the best months to have a completely empty weekend calendar in the Treasure Valley.
Fall festivals are starting, pumpkin patches are in full swing, Halloween events take over the second half of the month, and are plenty of things happening that have nothing to do with costumes or candy.
This month brings everything from harvest celebrations and community festivals to home shows, local markets, sporting events, trick or treating and some of the biggest Halloween traditions around the valley.
We rounded up some of the events worth putting on your calendar now, with options for families, couples, friends and anyone looking for an excuse to get out and enjoy October.
As always, event details can change, so check directly with the organzier before heading out! Check out our October 2026 Events in the Treasure Valley.
October Events | Treasure Valley 2026
October 1 - November 2 | Scarecrow Stroll
Idaho Botanical Garden, Boise
October starts with the return of the annual Scarecrow Stroll at the Idaho Botanical Garden.
Scarecrows created by local community members are displayed throughout the Garden, turning a regular visit into a seasonal outing that works for a wide range of ages.
This is an especially easy October activity because you do not have to plan around one specific festival day. The stroll runs throughout the month and into early November.
Good for: Families, grandparents, couples and an easy fall afternoon
October 2nd and 3rd | Blue Bird Social Oktober Fest
Boise
Blue Bird Social is kicking off October with an Oktoberfest celebration on Friday and Saturday, October 2 and 3.
If you are looking for something a little more adult focused than pumpkin patches and children's activities, this gives you another way to get into the fall spirit.
Good for: Date night, friends and an adults' fall outing
October 2nd-4th | Canyon Country Fall Home Show
Ford Idaho Center | Nampa
Home projects tend to start creeping back onto the list once summer ends, which makes the Canyon County Fall Home Show well timed.
The three day event runs October 2 through 4 and brings home improvement, remodeling and related vendors together in one place.
If you have a renovation, landscaping project or home update on your list, this could be worth adding to the weekend.
Good for: Homeowners, future homeowners and anyone planning a project
October 3rd | Hay Day
Indian Creek Plaza | Caldwell
Caldwell is celebrating the harvest season with Hay Day on Saturday, October 3.
The event runs from 1 to 5 PM at Indian Creek Plaza and celebrates Idaho agriculture and the fall harvest.
It is an easy one to combine with lunch, dinner or some time exploring downtown Caldwell.
Good for: Families and a casual Saturday afternoon
October 3rd and 4th | PNW Woodworking and Maker Expo
Boise
For something completely different from the typical October event lineup, the PNW
Woodworking and Maker Expo takes place October 3 and 4.
This is one for the makers, DIY crowd and anyone who appreciates woodworking, craftsmanship and creative projects.
Good for: Adults, teens, makers and DIY enthusiasts
October 10th | Eagle Harvest Fest
Heritage Park | Eagle
Eagle's regular Saturday Market may be finished for the season, but Heritage Park is not done with fall yet.
Harvest Fest takes place Saturday, October 10 from 10 AM to 4 PM with vendor shopping, food, live fiddle music, children's crafts and free pumpkin decorating.
This is one of those events that can be as quick or as leisurely as you want. Stop by for an hour, or pair it with breakfast, coffee or lunch in downtown Eagle.
Good for: Families, local shopping and an easy fall morning
October 11th | City of Trees Marathon
Boise
Runners take over Boise for the City of Trees Marathon on Sunday, October 11.
Even if you are not participating, it is worth knowing this one is happening if you are planning to be around Boise that morning, particularly with race activity and additional traffic in the area.
If running is your thing, October weather also makes this one of the prettier times of year for a Boise race.
Good for: Runners, spectators and active families
October 17th-18th | Treasure Valley Flea Market
Expo Idaho | Garden City
If you would rather spend a fall weekend hunting for something unexpected, the Treasure Valley Flea Market returns October 17 and 18.
Expect a mix of vendors, collectibles, vintage finds and plenty of things you probably did not know you needed until you saw them.
Good for: Treasure hunters, families, friends and casual weekend browsing
Halloween Season Begins
By the second half of October, the calendar starts filling quickly. If Halloween is your favorite part of fall, these are the dates to save...
October 17th | Trunk or Treat at Indian Creek Plaza
Indian Creek Plaza | Downtown Caldwell
Indian Creek Plaza hosts a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 17 from 5 to 7 PM.
This gives families an earlier opportunity to break out the costumes before Halloween week arrives.
Good for: Families and younger kids
October 22nd | Meridian Trunk or Treat
Meridian City Hall Plaza
This is one of the big ones for Meridian families.
The City of Meridian's annual Trunk or Treat takes place Thursday, October 22 from 6 to 9 PM at Meridian City Hall Plaza.
More than 90 local businesses are expected to hand out candy, with music, a dance floor and live performances throughout the evening.
Admission is free, although the city encourages a $1 donation per child to support the Meridian Food Bank Backpack Program.
Parent tip: This is a large community event. Give yourself extra time for downtown parking and expect crowds.
Good for: Families and anyone looking for a big community Halloween event
October 23rd - 25th | Boise Fall Home Show
Expo Idaho, Garden City
If Halloween is not really your thing, the Boise Fall Home Show gives you another option October 23 through 25.
The show brings home and improvement related vendors together for the weekend, making it useful if you are researching future home projects or simply looking for ideas.
Good for: Homeowners and home project planning.
October 24th - 25th | Boo at the Zoo
One of Boise's biggest family Halloween traditions returns Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25.
Boo at the Zoo runs from 10 AM to 5 PM each day with trick or treat stations, costume contests for different ages, face painting, vendors and special Halloween themed enrichment for the animals.
Regular zoo admission applies, while current Zoo Boise members receive free admission. The last admission each day is at 4 PM.
The zoo is opening both its main entrance and a secondary entrance near the Julia Davis Park tennis courts for the event, which is worth remembering when planning your arrival.
Good for: Families and younger children
October 24th | Night of a Thousand Pumpkins
Eagle City Hall Campus
Eagle gets spooky on Saturday, October 24 with Night of a Thousand Pumpkins from 6 to 9 PM.
The event includes trunk or treating, children's activities around the Haunted City Hall grounds and a chili cook off.
Community pumpkin carving sessions begin October 19 leading up to the event.
This could be a fun choice if you want a community Halloween event but do not necessarily want to head into downtown Boise or Meridian.
Good for: Families and an evening Halloween outing
October 29th | Downtown Nampa Trick or Treat
Downtown Nampa
Downtown Nampa's annual Trick or Treat celebration returns Thursday, October 29 from 4 to 7 PM.
The event brings Halloween into the downtown district and gives families another option before Halloween weekend itself.
Good for: Families and younger trick or treaters.
Make the Most of October
The hardest part about October in the Treasure Valley might be accepting that you probably cannot do everything.
Pick a big event or two. Leave room for a pumpkin patch afternoon. Take advantage of a warm evening when we get one. Find somewhere new. Revisit something your family looks forward to every year.
October moves quickly, and by the end of it we are already looking toward holiday markets, Thanksgiving plans and winter events.
For now, there is plenty of fall left to enjoy.
House of Palmer | Idaho Real Estate
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