Five days and 500+ bands – the Treefort Music Fest is an annual treat for indie music lovers. But there’s more – art, movies, comedy, food, beer, tech talks, drag, and more comes to downtown Boise in late March. So, let’s get you ready for this year’s edition of the biggest festival in Boise.
Treefort first appeared on the Boise event calendar in the spring of 2012 and has since completed ten successful editions. The predominately indie rock music festival takes over most of downtown Boise, with a main stage in the park and additional indoor venues nearby. Over the years, Treefort has grown from a quirky music festival to an artistic and cultural community event. It has been likened to an alternative to SXSW in Austin – for good reason too. Let’s find out why.
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What is Treefort Music Fest?
It’s an annual music festival in Boise, Idaho – that’s easy. But, after ten editions, Treefort is a lot more than that – there’s space for art, comedy, films, food & drinks, kids, conferences, and more.
Lori Shandro’s The Duck Club produces Treefort Music Fest, and it is partly inspired by the schedules of Northwest bands returning home from the South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas. The other part of the festival’s inspiration is spring break in Idaho.
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The inaugural Treefort Music Fest was live from March 22-25, 2012. It was originally a 2-day event, but the tremendous response and support immediately turned it into a larger 4-day festival featuring over 137 bands on eight stages across downtown Boise.
The festival skipped no year after that and continued to put Boise on the music festival map. However, the 2020 edition of the event was abandoned due to health and safety concerns. In 2021, the fest was considerably downsized, with limited tickets and a smaller lineup. The 10th edition of Treefort Music Festival in 2022 marked the event’s return to its pre-pandemic attendance numbers and extensive artist lineup. Organizers claim that there were more 5-day pass holders than ever before.
When is Treefort Fest 2023?
Treefort Music Festival 2023 dates are announced – March 22 – 26.
The five-day event begins on a Thursday, and daily schedules span venues across downtown Boise. The 2023 Treefort Music Festival is the 11th edition of the annual event.
For more updates about Treefort Music Fest 2023 schedule, check out the event’s official website.
Who is performing at Treefort 2023?
Over 500 bands will perform at the Treefort Music Fest 2023, and the schedule stretches across five days and multiple downtown venues.
Grammy-nominated Tig Notaro is headlining Treefort 2023’s Comedyfort lineup at the Egyptian Theater.
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Some of the bands and artists featured on the Treefort Music Fest 2023 lineup are:
- Surf Curse
- Dinosaur Jr.
- Destroy Boys
- Unknown Mortal Orchestra
- Built to Spill
- Petey
- Illuminati Hotties
- Blondshell
- Margo Price
- Celisse
- Whitney
- Cautious Clay
- Ani DiFranco
- Lady Wray
- Hermanos Gutiérrez
- Drugdealer
- The Golden Dregs
- Leikeli47
- Kae Tempest
- Pinback
- Spom Rompe Pera… and more.
Check out the full lineup here.
How much are Treefort Music Fest 2023 tickets?
Depending on the type, you’ll find passes for $20 – $270.
Ticket rates also depend on when you buy them. Treefort organizers say “earlier the better” because prices go up on March 1, 2023.
You can choose from six types of Treefort Music Fest 2023 passes – 5-DAY, Zipline, U21, Single-Day, Main Stage, and Knitting Factory. Seven Fort Badges are also available for event zones like the Filmfort and Alefort.
All passes and badges are available on the Treefort Music Fest 2023 website. Once you book tickets, print them out to redeem wristbands at the venue.
Where are the Treefort Music Fest 2023 venues?
The main hub of the 2023 Treefort Music Fest is at Julia Davis Park in downtown Boise.
The Fort Zone occupies most of the park on its west side, between Zoo Boise and Capitol Boulevard. Radioland, Alefort, Nacho Place, and other open-for-all attractions at the festival are in the Fort Zone. You don’t need a festival wristband to enter this area.
On the park’s east side, the Wristband Zone hosts the Main Stage and Hideout Stage for live music performances. You need a 5-Day, Single-Day, or Main Stage pass to access this area. The Garden Dome and art installations will also be here.
See Treefort Music Fest 2023 map and more venue details here.
Clubs, bars, and other downtown venues near Julia Davis Park will serve as additional Treefort Music Fest venues. Age restrictions and closing hours vary from venue to venue – check the festival schedule for more details.
How to get around Boise during Treefort Fest?
Downtown Boise is pretty flat and easy to get around on foot or bike. Also, Treefort Music Fest 2023 venues are all close by – so you’ll have no trouble finding your way around the festival map.
The Treeline – Bus Service
Boise’s local bus system – Valley Regional Transit – is operating a festival route during Treefort Music Fest in late March. The Treeline buses run on all five festival days, from 6 pm to 12 am. It’s free for all – no wristbands required.
The bus stops at five locations – Idaho Historical Museum, 5th and Main, 8th and Main, 11th and Main, and 13th and 3rd streets. The circulator line runs every 10 minutes, and the Museum bus stop is closest to the festival’s main entrance at Julia Davis Park.
If you have a Treefort Music Fest wristband, you can ride for free on any Valley Regional Transit bus route during the festival.
Where to find parking near Treefort Music Fest 2023?
The main entrance to the festival at Julia Davis Park faces Capitol Boulevard, and the Wristband Pick-Up Booth is just across from Kidfort. Parking close to this entrance won’t be easy – but if you must, look for garages and lots nearby using a parking app and make sure to pre-book a spot. You’ll have a guaranteed parking space and will pay less for it.
Treefort Music Fest organizers encourage attendees to walk, bike, or use public transport to the festival venues. So, if you are driving down to Boise, it’s best to leave your car in one garage for all five festival days. Check if your hotel/rental provides complimentary parking – if not, it would be cheaper to pre-book parking in downtown Boise using an app like Way.
Check out these off-site parking lots and garages for affordable parking in Boise, Idaho:
| Parking Lot Name/Location | Parking Rate/Day | Book Parking |
| 3301 South Vista Avenue Parking | $22 | Book Here |
| Comfort Inn and Suites – 3625 W Elder St Garage | $9.20 | Book Here |
| Inn America – 2275 W Airport Way Garage | $23 | Book Here |
| Roadway Inn – 2799 W Airport Way Garage | $11.50 | Book Here |
Treefort Boise Parking Must-Knows
- The main entrance to the festival at Julia Davis Park is just south of Boise Art Museum
- ADA Parking is available on-site near the Rose Garden. You can go through the garden to enter the festival grounds.
- There are two areas for bike parking – along the Greenbelt near the food trucks and by the Rose Garden near the ADA parking lot.
- Designated areas in BSU may have car parking spots for a daily flat rate.
- Parking is free for 20 minutes per session at metered on-street spots in downtown Boise.
- Unless otherwise posted, parking regulations are in effect on downtown Boise streets. Check for temporary restrictions on streets closer to Julia Davis Park during the Treefort Music Fest.
- It is easier to find affordable parking spaces in downtown Boise for hourly or daily rates using parking apps or websites.
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