Welcome to the 11th edition of Treefort Music Fest! Boise’s annual arts and culture festival is back March 20-24, 2024 — and this year, there’s much to discover. With the Main Stage returning to Julia Davis, the debut of the new Lookout Lounge, and 700+ events over five days, here’s everything you need to know to navigate Treefort Music Fest 2024.
Treefort Music Fest at Julia Davis Park
For a decade, Treefort transformed a downtown Boise parking lot into its Main Stage, creating a hub of festival activity in the west end of downtown Boise for five days in March. After the 10-year anniversary in 2022, the festival learned that major construction was coming to the area, meaning the fest would need to find a new home for its Main Stage and surrounding activities by 2023. That new home is Julia Davis Park.
For 2024, Julia Davis Park will be the main hub for Treefort Music Fest. The park will be home to the Treefort Main Stage, the historic Gene Harris Bandshell, Alefort, Kidfort and more. Just like years past, Treefort events will also take place in dozens of venues throughout downtown Boise.
Treefort will take over the West section of Julia Davis Park, between Capitol Boulevard and Zoo Boise, starting Wednesday, March 20, through Sunday, March 24. You can plan to camp out at the park all day—pack a blanket or some chairs and spend the day listening to music, experiencing art and soaking up the springtime sun. Or you can swing through the park to catch your favorite shows, grab some grub at a food truck and then hop on over to the next show.
How to Get Around Treefort
Bike, walk, skate or scoot. This is one of the best ways to get to the festival if you live or are staying close to downtown. All venues and events at Treefort Music Fest are close to each other in Boise’s flat and walkable downtown.
Pro tip: If you are leaving Main Stage, take the Boise River Greenbelt under the Capitol Boulevard Bridge and walk up 8th Street! There are fewer cars and some festival programming along the street.
Uber or Lyft
This is a great option if you aren’t within walking/biking distance and don’t want to deal with parking. Simply get dropped off near Julia Davis Park or somewhere downtown.
Ride the bus
Take a city bus to, from and around Treefort! If you have a Treefort Pass, you can ride the bus anywhere in the Treasure Valley for free during March 20–24, 2024. At the festival, anyone can ride the Treeline, a special festival route that stops at multiple places throughout the fest. You can even catch bands on the bus!
Parking
Parking options are available throughout downtown Boise, however, during Treefort week, the area is busier than normal. Allow time to find parking and walk to festival events. Most parking in downtown Boise does not allow overnight parking.
Festival-goers will also find parking at Boise State University which is just a short walk from Julia Davis Park.
ADA Parking & Accessibility
Treefort Music Fest strives to be accessible to all patrons, fans, artists, and attendees. Festival attendees with ADA needs can park in the parking lot by the Rose Garden of Julia Davis Park and enter the festival by going through the Rose Garden.
At the Main Stage, there is an elevated ADA viewing platform for improved views of the stage and grounds, and at the Egyptian Theatre, there are ADA viewing areas on the ground floor. Most of the larger venues are at ground level or have ADA access via a ramp or elevator. Elevators are available at several venues. The elevator for The Olympic is in the back entrance via the alley. Please see a venue manager at the Adelmann Building for elevator access. Due to the historic nature of some venues, only stairs are available. Treefort will accommodate anyone at these locations when needed. Contact Treefort Music Fest to make any needed arrangements.
Finding Free Forts
No pass? No problem! You can enjoy seven Forts of Treefort for free. Explore installations and performances at Artfort, taste your way through Alefort, festival as a family at Kidfort, see a live podcast recording at Podfort, listen to readings and discussions at Storyfort, learn more about the industry at Music Talks and see live bands while you shred at Skatefort. You can also catch live music at any of the free venues at Treefort 11, including the Gene Harris Bandshell in Julia Davis Park, the Cyclops Stage, Boise Brewing, Camp Modern at the Modern Hotel, Lost Grove Brewing, Payette Brewing and Rhodes Skate Park. Check the Treefort Schedule for set times.
Treefort Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to experience Treefort Music Fest? Here’s what you need to make the most of your time at Treefort:
You can see the live schedule, make your own schedule and share it with friends, check the line at venues, get directions to venues and much more! It’s essential for figuring out what is going on and where things are happening during the fest. Hit the Explore button to find other things to do in the area.
Treefort is a low-waste festival. You will need to bring or buy a steel cup to enjoy beverages at Main Stage and Alefort. All Treefort venues honor steel cups. Treefort also has many water stations available at the park and throughout the fest.
If you want to be able to hear all the bands at Treefort 2043, you need to protect your ears at Treefort 2023.
Comfy shoes for walking between venues and dancing the days away.
March in Boise can bring rain, snow and sunshine. It may rain in the morning and be sunny by the afternoon. It’s best to dress in layers.
Feature image credited to Treefort Music Fest, Matt Wordell.
Marissa Lovell is a writer, reader and fresh-air seeker. She loves being outside, listening to good tunes, growing and cooking food and living a fun life. In addition to writing about Idaho adventures, Lovell writes for From Boise, a weekly newsletter about people, places, history and happenings in Boise.
Published on February 21, 2023
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