Idaho Shakespeare Festival has been creating “great theater in the great outdoors” since 1977! While it’s perfect for a date night or night out with friends it is also a great family experience. Idaho Shakespeare Festival's mainstage season consists of 5 plays from the end of May to October 1st in their world class, state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater.
Our family got to experience it just last Sunday and I was surprised at how much my kids (ages 2, 5 and 8) enjoyed it! They didn’t want to leave! We sat on a blanket on the hillside overlooking the reserved seats, tables and impressive stage and it was perfect for my wiggly littles. Our show started at 7pm but we got there around 6 so that we could explore the grounds and get comfortable before the show started.
We brought a picnic basket filled with food and drink but there’s an amazing gourmet cafe on site called Cafe Shakespeare, run by local nonprofit City of Good, with lots of delicious food and beverage options. Try not to drool looking at their 2023 menu!
Most Tuesday through Saturday evenings, from 6:30-7:30ish, and in September from 6:00-7:00pm, the Festival presents a mini-concert series on the Meadow Stage right next to Cafe Shakespeare. This fun, live music can be enjoyed throughout the grounds and is a real hit with families. You can check out the schedule of mini-concert performances here.
Idaho Shakespeare Festival also operates a vibrant selection of educational programming and outreach including School of Theater, Camp Shakespeare, Apprentice Company, and two school touring performances, Idaho Theater for Youth and Shakespearience. If you have a budding actor in your family, check these options out! We are so lucky to have such impressive opportunities for our youth in our community!
Get all the important details about going to a show below and get your family tickets today!
Idaho Shakespeare Festival Details:
Location: 5657 E Warm Springs Ave, Boise, ID 83716
Website: idahoshakespeare.org
Calendar: idahoshakespeare.org/calendar/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/idahoshakespeare
Ticket information: Various seating and ticket options are available. (Families are welcomed with student/youth ticket prices and family nights for the very young to attend free of charge.)
Showtimes: For May – August, Tuesday – Saturday, the performance begins at 8:00 p.m. Sunday nights May through August, the performance begins earlier, at 7:00 p.m. For the September schedule, the performance begins at 7:30 p.m., except Sundays, when the performance begins earlier, at 7:00 p.m.
-Little Shop of Horrors (May 26-June 10)
-As You Like It (June 16-July 1)
-Sense and Sensibility (July 7-29)
-Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (August 4-26)
-Dracula: The Bloody Truth (September 1-October 1)
***ISF and Boise With Kids are partnering together to offer a giveaway of 4 hillside tickets for a show this summer over on Instagram. The giveaway will run from Thursday, June 22-Sunday, June 25, 2023. See post for details! ***