What’s loud, colorful, and only happens in Twin Falls, Idaho, during May? It’s Shoshone Falls After Dark, an event showcasing what boosters like to call the “Niagara of the West.” This spectacular waterfall on the Snake River is 212 feet tall and 900 feet wide. It’s a good deal taller than Niagara’s highest falls (Horseshoe Falls at about 180 feet high).
For the fourth year running, people can enjoy light shows at the falls Thursday through Sunday during the month of May. Midnight Production Studios choreographs the lights to a recorded soundtrack by Idaho DJ Eric Rhodes. The display is a partnership between Southern Idaho Tourism, the City of Twin Falls, the Idaho Central Credit Union, and Idaho Power. Seems like a good time to have the power company on your side.
Waterfall lovers come from all over the country to see the lit-up falls. “Shoshone Falls After Dark has quickly become one of the region’s most popular events, and we’re thrilled to expand it so even more people can experience this breathtaking spectacle,” Haley Evans, Southern Idaho Tourism marketing and event coordinator, said in a statement. “Shoshone Falls is one of Idaho’s most iconic and beloved landmarks, and showering this magnificent high-desert landscape with a symphony of lights and music under the stars is truly magical and mesmerizing.”
Tickets are sold at $20 per vehicle, with timed entries between 9:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. to avoid overcrowding. The show lasts about 10 minutes and the passes are for 15-minute slots. Evans says that the event usually sells out, so buy your ticket ahead. Leashed dogs are welcome, and the falls will light up rain or shine.
“The vibrant music and light show illuminating the falls at night takes it to a next-level magical experience,” Michael Watson, chief marketing officer at Idaho Central Credit Union, said in a statement. “If you haven’t had a chance to check this out yet, now is the time.”
While Shoshone Falls is the area’s best-loved attraction, there’s lots of other outdoorsy stuff to do in Twin Falls. You can bike the Canyon Rim Trail, zipline across the Snake River, rock climb, or rent a kayak in Centennial Waterfront Park to watch BASE jumpers throw themselves off I.B. Perrine Bridge.
