By Clue
Year 2026
Hello hello everyone, it’s Clue and it’s that time of the year! Treefort time! For those who don’t know, Treefort Music Festival is an annual 5 day long festival held in downtown Boise. It’s a well known and well beloved tradition among locals that features various artists both national and world wide while having an emphasis on local musicians here in the valley. Hosted by Duck Club, the festival has been an annual celebration since 2012, and in recent years, they’ve expanded to include other events and forms of entertainment.
Music festivals can be tricky and overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. When you are well prepared and well equipped, they can be an absolute blast that makes long lasting memories and experiences! Many of these tips and items have either been recommended to me, or have been experienced through trial and error. Lots of trial and error-
First thing’s first, the most obvious thing: Do you have a ticket? (If not, don’t worry! There’s plenty of free shows around town! Or, you can purchase one at treefortmusicfest.com. As well, some venues will let you pay an at the door fee.)
Secondly but just as important: What day(s) is your pass for?!
Treefort is 5 days long (March 25th-29th), and the lineup for which bands are on what stages/venues have been posted ahead of time on the Treefort website. Use this as a tool and a guide! Also, the website has a FAQ section that outlines any prohibited items (with a couple of funny ones tossed in there), the code of conduct, and other answers to questions you may have. If you aren’t sure about a question, check there first, and if still isn’t answered, reach out to the team through their contact information! As well, they have an Instagram page where they post important news and updates, so make sure you check that out as well!
New this year, Treefort has an official app you can download that lets you create a schedule, view information, transportation, updates on lines, and much more information too! Tickets are purchased through dice.fm, with some events having wristbands or tokens. Wristbands can be picked up at their box office in Julia Davis Park starting Tuesday, March 24th at 2pm! Wristbands can be picked up here every day from Tuesday through Sunday, usually from 1:00pm-10:00pm. You will need your ID and ticket/purchase confirmation to pick up your wristbands, so remember to bring those!
Now, one thing I’ve learned after attending many festivals and multi-day functions with lots of events and exciting things going on is to plan out what shows you want to see ahead of time! Sounds simple, but knowing what bands are playing, as well as when/where allows you to make a game plan ahead of time which can help crack down on confusion and helps prevent getting overwhelmed. Treefort is a big event with a lot going on, and you will want to see or do so many things. You can easily make a list on your phone reminding you of what you’re looking to see. I always list what band it is, what time, when the show starts, and where the nearest available parking is on a note on my phone so that day of, I’m not scrambling around or making last minute decisions on who I want to see.
I personally recommend building in specific times for breaks and meals if you plan on being out all day, (See what restaurants are near venues you’re checking out to get some quick bites-! You can also check out Foodfort!) or alternatively, make sure you bring plenty of snacks for yourself. Always double check which venues allow outside food and drink.
Something else to note, plan accordingly for all travel time including walking from parking to venues. You don’t want to miss the start of the show after all! It’s better to be a little early and have to wait rather than be late and rushing around. I always give myself an extra 5 minutes when going anywhere, just in case of unexpected interruptions like sidewalk closures, traffic, or parking struggles. Treefort is concentrated in the downtown area, so walking is easily available, as well as any other forms of transportation like bikes, skateboards, etc. In the case that you don’t want to park, but also don’t want to walk too much, Treefort will be having a free shuttle service running called “Treeline,” using the local public transit system.
Also, for my under 21 folk, double check which venues you are allowed into. The main stage and many others are all ages, but some venues are still adhering to local law, such as bars. If you check out the lineup on the Treefort website, any 21+ shows will be listed as such, so avoid any surprises.
One of the biggest things people forget is their earplugs! Even if you’re at an outside event, it can get quite loud and rowdy. Your hearing is important, and no one wants to lose some of it. If you are not a frequent concert goer, most stores like Walmart or Target will have disposable earplugs, or they can also be found at places like Home Depot. Some venues may have some available for free, but you should never rely on that. It’s better to buy a pair beforehand and just keep them on you at all times. I personally have a set of Loop earplugs I keep attached to my purse just in case.
Bring water! Bring a refillable water bottle if possible! You’re going to be walking around, jamming, and having fun, so it’s important to stay on top of drinking water especially as it warms up. Not everywhere will have easily accessible water, or it might be a bit of a ways away from free water sources. A dehydration induced headache is the easiest way to kill a vibe and ruin the rest of the day for you (Trust me, I’ve had it happen twice!) Even if you don’t feel thirsty, it’s important to keep drinking water. You won’t feel dehydrated till long after the effects have already started. It’s also a good idea if you plan to be a more active and dance-y audience member to bring some electrolyte packets and tylenol, or if you’re more prone to sweating than others. Speaking of which- remember your deodorant people, no one wants to be the smelly guy in the crowd. If you’re someone who plans on drinking, remember to alternate between alcoholic beverages and water. Alcohol dehydrates!
And since you’ll be walking around for the most part, remember to wear comfortable walking shoes such as sneakers, tennis shoes, or shoes with padded insoles. Or, if you still want to wear your cute but uncomfortable shoes (of which I totally understand and relate to!), bring an alternate pair for you to change in and out of as needed. Foot pain in the middle of a show always makes it hard to stick around! Take plenty of breaks, whether it be for water, snacks, or because you’re starting to get tired!
Spring is set to be in full swing soon, so keep an eye out for the weather forecast! While many events are inside, just as many are in outdoor venues too. The forecast for the week is projected sunshine in the 60s with potential winds, so keep that in mind! Don’t forget any necessary sunscreen or sunglasses to keep you protected from the beautiful sun. If it’s hot outside, or if your venue allows it, those portable, battery operated fans are also a great asset for keeping yourself and others cool. There are also always those adorable paper fans that can fold up.
I recommend taking a small bag with you, but check venues websites for specific rules and regulations! A small bag is a great asset for making sure you always have your essentials on you! I always bring a small bag that can hold my keys, wallet, phone, an electrolyte packet, bandaids, a small bottle of tylenol with me just in case, and any other things I may need. You never know when you’ll need something, and it’s best to keep them on you at all times!
The TLDR?:
Bring a water bottle, earplugs, comfy shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, tylenol, electrolyte packets, a change of shoes, bandaids, your phone, wallet, a way to keep cool if needed, make sure you smell good, make sure you have who you want to see planned out, check venue rules and regulations, have your tickets at the ready, and of course- bring yourself!
Image Credentials: This is Boise
