Upcoming Events

Oct 11, 2025 - Jan 10, 2026 / Nordic Yule Market - Brookings

Step into the magic of the season at our Nordic Yule Market, open October 11 – January 10 at the South Dakota Art Museum Shop! Inspired by traditional Nordic and German holiday markets, this festive ...

Step into the magic of the season at our Nordic Yule Market, open October 11 – January 10 at the South Dakota Art Museum Shop! Inspired by traditional Nordic and German holiday markets, this festive shopping experience features: • Handcrafted gifts from Nordic and local artists (50 new vendors!) • Special events including live music, sip & shop, and family-friendly activities • A cozy reading corner • Meet & greets with your favorite characters • Free gift wrapping on select days

South Dakota Art Museum
South Dakota Art Museum 57007 1036 Medary Avenue, Brookings, SD 57007

Nov 15, 2025 - Dec 30, 2025 / Holiday Ho Ho Horseshoes - Deadwood

Purchase a unique Deadwood holiday horseshoe ornament from participating locations to win great prizes!

Purchase a unique Deadwood holiday horseshoe ornament from participating locations to win great prizes!
Various locations
Various locations 57732 Deadwood, SD 57732
Lights display.
Falls Park
Falls Park 131 E Falls Park Dr Sioux Falls, SD

Nov 26, 2025 - Dec 26, 2025 / Christmas at the Capitol - Pierre

Grand lighting ceremony of nearly 100 decorated trees. 

Grand lighting ceremony of nearly 100 decorated trees. 
South Dakota State Capitol
South Dakota State Capitol 57501 500 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501
Storefront display contest.
Various locations
Various locations Brookings, SD

Nov 28, 2025 - Jan 04, 2026 / Festival of Trees - Custer

Decorated trees on display. You can view all of the trees set up by community partners and organizations at the Custer State Park Visitor Center throughout the month of December.  

Decorated trees on display. You can view all of the trees set up by community partners and organizations at the Custer State Park Visitor Center throughout the month of December.  
Visitor Center Custer State Park
Visitor Center Custer State Park 13329 13329 U.S. 16A Custer, SD 57730
Online event. Auctions for all 12 days.
Dinosaurs of Hell Creek Museum
Dinosaurs of Hell Creek Museum 11324 11324 US-212, Belle Fourche, SD 57717

Nov 28, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025 / Mead Museum Hall of Trees - Yankton

The 8th Annual Mead Museum Hall of Trees will feature 80 Christmas trees, uniquely decorated by area businesses and organizations.The public is invited to enjoy 80 beautifully, uniquely decorated Christmas ...

The 8th Annual Mead Museum Hall of Trees will feature 80 Christmas trees, uniquely decorated by area businesses and organizations.The public is invited to enjoy 80 beautifully, uniquely decorated Christmas trees on all three floors of the Mead Museum in Yankton South Dakota. Community businesses and organizations join together for this special tradition. Santa visits on Sundays in December. Experience ...
Mead Building
Mead Building 57078 82 Mickelson Dr, Yankton, SD 57078

Nov 29, 2025 - Dec 21, 2025 / Winter Wonderland - Watertown

Each year, starting the weekend after Thanksgiving through Christmas Day (WEEKENDS ONLY) from 6:00pm--9:00pm, Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park is OPEN for drive-through viewing of 60+ lighted displays. Location ...

Each year, starting the weekend after Thanksgiving through Christmas Day (WEEKENDS ONLY) from 6:00pm--9:00pm, Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park is OPEN for drive-through viewing of 60+ lighted displays. Location from Watertown: North on Hwy 20, then turn South on S. Lake Drive toward Lake Kampeska and the Entrance to city park and Winter Wonderland. Watertown Optimist club members will greet you. Near the ...
Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park
Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park 57201 90 South Lake Drive, Watertown, South Dakota 57201

Dec 01, 2025 - Dec 30, 2025 / Trees and Trains - Hill City

Seasonal displays, model trains, photos with Santa and entertainment.

Seasonal displays, model trains, photos with Santa and entertainment.
South Dakota State Railroad Museum
South Dakota State Railroad Museum 57745 222 Railroad Ave., Hill City, SD 57745

Dec 01, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025 / Light Up Lead - Lead

Come visit Lead's Winter Wonderland! The community of Lead lights up for the city-wide holiday lighting contest and everyone is invited to travel the town and see the lights from December 1 ...

Come visit Lead's Winter Wonderland! The community of Lead lights up for the city-wide holiday lighting contest and everyone is invited to travel the town and see the lights from December 1 through the 31st!
City of Lead
City of Lead 57754 Lead, SD 57754

Dec 07, 2025 - Jan 06, 2026 / Garden Glow - Brookings

Stroll through an outdoor wonderland of lights, images and scenes of the holidays at the McCrory Gardens. Garden Glow will be closed for the following days: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's ...

Stroll through an outdoor wonderland of lights, images and scenes of the holidays at the McCrory Gardens. Garden Glow will be closed for the following days: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. 
Education and Visitor Center at McCrory Gardens
Education and Visitor Center at McCrory Gardens 57006 631 22nd Ave. Brookings SD 57006

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Auditions

Pierre Players Community Theater
Pierre Players Community Theater 57501 109 S. Pierre Street, Pierre, SD 57501

Dec 09, 2025 / Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas Extravaganza - Sioux Falls

One-of-a-kind holiday concert and immersive light show.

One-of-a-kind holiday concert and immersive light show.
Washington Pavilion
Washington Pavilion 57104 301 S. Main Ave, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104

Dec 09, 2025 / History Talk: Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, Special Places, Sacred Circles: A Memoir

History Talks is a free virtual author/speaker series hosted by South Dakota Historical Society Press director Dedra Birzer and South Dakota Historical Foundation CEO Catherine Forsch. Join us live on ...

History Talks is a free virtual author/speaker series hosted by South Dakota Historical Society Press director Dedra Birzer and South Dakota Historical Foundation CEO Catherine Forsch. Join us live on Zoom once a month for a presentation on a South Dakota history topic.To register for the online event, visit www.sdhsf.org/events.When: 7-8pm Central Time
Live virtual meeting on Zoom
Live virtual meeting on Zoom

Dec 10, 2025 - Dec 11, 2025 / Farmers Union 110th Annual State Convention - Huron

Our annual convention is regarded as one of the most important events of the year. As a grass roots farm organization, our annual convention allows for our members to gather together to discuss and develop ...

Our annual convention is regarded as one of the most important events of the year. As a grass roots farm organization, our annual convention allows for our members to gather together to discuss and develop vital agriculture policy that serves the best interest of rural family farmers and ranchers. Featuring Speakers: Greg Hanes, Rob Larew, Peter Leyden, Gov. Larry Rhoden (invited) and Jacob Shapiro. Silent ...
Crossroads Hotel & Huron Event Center
Crossroads Hotel & Huron Event Center 57350 100 4th St. SW, Huron, SD 57350

Dec 10, 2025 / Bellman Brown Bag Series - Spearfish

Jo Powell; Series of Piano duets and performances by Janeene Larson.

Jo Powell; Series of Piano duets and performances by Janeene Larson.
Matthews Opera House
Matthews Opera House 57783 612 N. Main Street, Spearfish, SD 57783
Pierre Players perform.
Grand Opera House
Grand Opera House 57501 109 S Pierre St, Pierre, SD 57501

Dec 11, 2025 - Dec 12, 2025 / Polar Express Bus Rides - Belle Fourche

Christmas trolley rides. Boards at Cowboys Too! Santa will be there on the 12th.

Christmas trolley rides. Boards at Cowboys Too! Santa will be there on the 12th.
Cowboys Too!
Cowboys Too! 506 State St, Belle Fourche

Dec 11, 2025 / Central South Dakota Christmas Bird Count - Organizational Meeting - Pierre

The Christmas Bird Count is the oldest, on-going citizen science project in the US. Every year during the final weeks of December/beginning of January, thousands of people go out to identify and count ...

The Christmas Bird Count is the oldest, on-going citizen science project in the US. Every year during the final weeks of December/beginning of January, thousands of people go out to identify and count the birds they observe and report their findings to Audubon. This data provides scientists with important information to understand the health of bird populations, watersheds, and more.Whether you are ...
South Dakota Discovery Center
South Dakota Discovery Center 57501 805 W Sioux Ave, Pierre, SD 57501
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