Mount Rushmore Fireworks
Join us for a spectacular birthday tribute to the nation at one of America's most iconic landmarks. Watch as the "Shrine of Democracy" lights up the night sky in honor of 250 years. This special event takes place on Friday, July 3. Limited tickets to attend in person will be available at a later date.
25 Great Events to Celebrate 2026
In addition to the Mount Rushmore Fireworks, we're highlighting 24 other events around the state in 2026. These events & celebrations showcase South Dakota’s traditions and its unique place in America’s story. Click here to see all the amazing events across The Mount Rushmore State!
Terry Redlin Unfinished Art Exhibit Grand Opening
April 24, 2026 | Watertown
Iconic South Dakota painter Terry Redlin, once dubbed “America’s most popular artist,” is honored at the Redlin Art Center with a new permanent exhibit of more than 50 unfinished works.
Fort Sisseton Historical Festival
June 5–7, 2026 | Lake City
Step back into frontier life at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park as cavalry, infantry, fur traders and sharpshooters recreate a bustling military encampment.
Black Hills Roundup
July 1-4, 2026 | Belle Fourche
One of America’s oldest outdoor rodeos, celebrating 107 years in 2026, the Black Hills Roundup draws thousands to Belle Fourche for four days of rodeo action and Western tradition over the July 4th holiday.
Tornado Days
July 1–5, 2026 | Centerville
Celebrating friends, family and freedom, Centerville's Tornado Days brings a full lineup to kick off summer in style, from softball and volleyball tournaments to a street dance and fireworks.
Sitting Bull Stampede Rodeo
July 2–4, 2026 | Mobridge
Experience the Old West at the annual Sitting Bull Stampede, a PRCA rodeo complete with parades, a carnival and one of South Dakota’s biggest Fourth of July fireworks shows.
Fort Pierre’s 4th of July Parade, Rodeo & Fireworks
July 3–4, 2026 | Fort Pierre
Celebrate a classic Fourth of July in Fort Pierre with a community parade, rodeo performances, and a dazzling fireworks display.
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Powwow
July 3-5, 2026 | Agency Village
South Dakota’s oldest powwow, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Wacipi offers visitors an unforgettable experience of Native culture and community pride.
Rock the Bluffs Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
July 4, 2026 | Chamberlain
From a morning fun run and parade to fireworks over the Missouri River, Chamberlain’s Rock the Bluffs celebration is a Fourth to remember.
Boss Cowman Rodeo & Celebration
July 9–12, 2026 | Lemmon
Honoring pioneer cattleman Ed Lemmon, known as “Boss Cowman,” this annual festival packs in rodeos, calf scrambles, a 5K, BBQ, live music and more.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
July 10–12, 17–19 & 24–26, 2026 | De Smet
Each summer, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s world unfolds on an outdoor stage near her family homestead, celebrating pioneer life and legacy.
Sioux Falls Airshow
July 18–19, 2026 | Sioux Falls
Experience "power on the prairie" at the Sioux Falls Airshow, featuring aerial stunts by the USAF Thunderbirds and more high-flying thrills.
Days of '76 Rodeo and Parades
July 19–25, 2026 | Deadwood
Main Street parades, pageantry and a 19-time PRCA Rodeo of the Year make Deadwood’s Days of ’76 a true South Dakota legend.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
August 3–9, 2026 | Sturgis
Since 1938, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has drawn riders from around the world to South Dakota’s Black Hills for racing, rides and revelry.
Geddes Fur Trader Days
August 7-9, 2026 | Geddes
Honoring a 200-year fur-trading legacy, Geddes Fur Trader Days blends history with family fun, from parades and tournaments to tractor pulls and history bingo.
Adams Homestead Celebration
August 8, 2026 | North Sioux City
Experience pioneer and farm life at the Adams Homestead, including a threshing machine demo, candle making, rope making, a buffalo chip throwing contest and more.
Twin Brooks Threshing Show
August 8–9, 2026 | Twin Brooks
Step back to South Dakota’s pioneer era at the 40th year of this small-town festival, where vintage farm machines roar to life and traditions are shared through demos and family activities.
Turner County Fair
August 17–20, 2026 | Parker
South Dakota’s oldest-running county fair, the Turner County Fair in Parker, showcases 4-H projects, a lively midway, contests and all the delicious fair food you can eat.
Corn Palace Festival
August 19–23, 2026 | Mitchell
Each summer, Mitchell's Corn Palace Festival pairs the unveiling of new corn murals at the iconic Corn Palace with live entertainment and rides right in the middle of Main Street.
Yankton Riverboat Days
August 21-23, 2026 | Yankton
Yankton Riverboat Days brings thousands of people to Riverside Park each summer for a weekend packed with concerts, parades, art, food and festivities along the Missouri River.
South Dakota State Fair
September 2–7, 2026 | Huron
One of South Dakota's most anticipated events of the year, enjoy national headliners, carnival rides, agricultural events and fun for all ages in Huron.
Wagner Labor Day Celebration
September 7, 2026
With a mile-long parade, Queen Contest, rodeo and three full days of entertainment, Wagner’s Labor Day Celebration has been a SoDak staple since 1900.
Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival
September 24–26, 2026 | Custer
Watch cowboys, cowgirls and park staff bring in the herd of 1,300+ buffalo. The Roundup and the three-day Arts Festival, with more than 100 vendors, are held in Custer State Park.
Black Hills Powwow
October 9–11, 2026 | Rapid City
From hundreds of dancers and singers to art shows and pageants, the annual Black Hills Powwow in Rapid City is a vibrant celebration of South Dakota's Lakota culture.
Christmas at the Capitol
November 24–December 26, 2026 | Pierre
Nearly 100 decorated trees transform South Dakota’s Capitol into a festive winter wonderland. This free event is open daily through the holiday season.
VIEW THE FULL EVENT CALENDAR
Your Passport to America's Birthday
Explore 40 iconic places in the 40th state, from the famous faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial to the adventurous spirit of Lewis and Clark. Discover South Dakota’s multifaceted history with our free mobile passport, and unlock prizes along the way!
South Dakota's Timeless Treasures
From the peaks to the plains, put these iconic and breathtaking places on your 2026 bucket list.
Visit four iconic U.S. presidents at Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Pay your respects at Must-See Military Monuments, Museums & Memorials
Explore one of America's last truly wild places at Custer State Park
The world's largest in-progress mountain carving, Crazy Horse Memorial® is history in the making
Travel in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark
Pierre, America's second-smallest state capital by population, is home to a classic Capitol
Experience the early days of Dakota Territory at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park
Venture back to the days of the Old West in Historic Deadwood
Badlands National Park is one of America's most otherworldly landscapes
Monument to Sitting Bull in Mobridge honors the Hunkpapa Lakota leader
Located in the Black Hills, Black Elk Peak is the highest peak east of the Rockies and west of France
See history come to life in South Dakota
O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!
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