Welcome to the Top 10 Events in South Dakota
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) across the State of South Dakota,including events in Sioux Falls, Mount Rushmore and Custer.Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo
January/February
Rapid City, South Dakota
The Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo includes rodeos backed by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), cattle shows and sales, team roping, an American Quarter Horse show, a ranch horse competition, horse sales, ranch rodeo, North American Sheepdog trials, a banquet and ball, and free family entertainment. It is held at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
For more information visit www.blackhillsstockshow.com
Czech Days
June
Tabor, South Dakota
One of the largest and longest-running celebrations of the Czechoslovakian heritage in the USA, Czech Days showcases the heritage of the first founders of the little South Dakota community who came to Tabor from Czechoslovakia as early as 1869. A tradition for more than 60 years, activities include an authentic mini Czech pioneer village, Beseda dancers, craft fair, music, entertainment, dancing, and traditional Czech foods.
For more information visit: www.taborczechdays.com
OR ... TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP EVENTS USA FEATURE PROFILE ABOUT THE TABOR CZECH DAYS
Fort Sisseton Historical Festival
June
Sisseton, South Dakota
Attracting thousands of visitors each year, the Fort Sisseton Historical Festival features period entertainment and activities in which visitors can observe cavalry, artillery and infantry demonstrations. Held at Fort Sisseton State Park, the festival includes continuous performances of melodramas, musical entertainment, demonstrations, gun drills, period fashion shows and food booths, a grand march and even a costume ball.
For more information visit:
www.travelsd.com/Lodging/Fort-Sisseton-Historic-State-Park.dr
OR ... TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP EVENTS USA FEATURE PROFILE ABOUT THE FORT SISSETON HISTORICAL FESTIVAL
JazzFest
July
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The annual Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival, JazzFest has become a summer favorite in Sioux Falls and the region. JazzFest is a two-day outdoor musical event featuring two stages and is free to the public.
The festival is free and features two stages with over 18 hours of music.
JazzFest features a wide variety of music every year including jazz, blues, Zydeco, Latin, reggae, big band, rock, soul and funk among others.
For more information visit: www.jazzfestsiouxfalls.com
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
July
De Smet, South Dakota
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week in July, more than a hundred volunteers combine their talents to present a family-friendly drama based on the writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder. People from all over the world gather together on the beautiful South Dakota Prairie and step back into history to a time when the West was just opening up to a wave of pioneering men and women. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant explores the heartwarming and unforgettable story of Laura Ingalls growing up in the Dakota prairies.
For more information visit: www.desmetpageant.org
Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo
July
Mitchell, South Dakota
A major event in South Dakota for over 37 years, the Corn Palace Stampeded Rodeo in Mitchell features rodeo performances, rodeo parade, barrell racing, a golf tournament, jackpot team roping, cowboy church service and a Chili Cook-off and Country Music Showdown.
For more information visit: www.cornpalacestampede.com
Mount Rushmore Independence Day Celebration
July
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
South Dakota's Black Hills provide the backdrop for Mount Rushmore, the world's greatest mountain carving of four exalted American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
These 60-foot high faces, 500 feet up, look out over a setting of pine, spruce, birch, and aspen in the clear western air are the setting for the Mount Rushmore Independence Day Celebration and the fireworks show.
For more information visit: www.mtrushmore.net
Sturgis Rally
August
Sturgis, South Dakota
A big attraction in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota for over 68 years, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is all bout the motorcycles - and then more.
Apart from the bikes themselves, highlights of the Sturgis Rally include concerts and races and bike shows, the Annual Mayor’s Ride, the Annual World Championship of Custom Bike Building, free style stunters, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame.
For more information visit: www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com
Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival
September
Custer, South Dakota
Each Fall, park staff, cowboys and cowgirls saddle up to move the park's 1,500 bison to the buffalo corrals, an event that is open to public viewing. The annual Buffalo Roundup is an important part of the park's resource management program. To control the size of the park's bison population, a portion of the herd is sold at the annual Buffalo Auction, the third Saturday in November.
The two days of the Arts festival take place prior to the actual Buffalo Roundup Day, and includes live entertainment, a Chili Cookoff, and heritage arts and crafts exhibits.
For more information visit:
http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/events/buffalo-roundup.aspx
Mickelson Trail Trek
September
Black Hills, South Dakota
Covering the entire Mickelson Trail through the heart of the Black Hills, this annual, three-day cycling event began in 1997. Today, cyclists can ride the 109-mile trail and enjoy the scenic valleys, old railroad tunnels and historic mining towns including Lead, Deadwood, Edgemont, Custer and Hill City. Pre-registration is required for riders.
For more information visit:
www.mickelsontrail.com
Black Hills Pow Wow
October
Rapid City, South Dakota
The Indian people’s way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships and making new ones, the Black Hills Pow Wow, or He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate, has been attracting thousands of attendees for over 22 years.
Events of the Pow Wow include a softball, archery and hand game tournaments, Miss He Sapa Win Pageant, youth day activities, walk, and the He Sapa Style Show.
For more information visit: www.blackhillspowwow.com
