Head to the annual Mountain West® Whiskey Festival at The Rushmore Hotel in downtown Rapid City. Spend the evening with industry experts and whiskey connoisseurs alike at the Black Hills premier whiskey experience. The festival features a wide variety of different whiskeys, bourbons and scotches to sample, upscale catering, and live music, all in the heart of downtown Rapid City. Tickets are available online and include non-sampling, general admission, VIP, and platinum. Must be 21 to attend. Hours are 4:30-9 p.m. (see current schedule online).
The Annual North Country Fiber Fair will be held at the Codington County Extension Complex in Watertown. Visit the website for class and vendor information as well as a complete schedule. Vendor hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. There are free demonstrations and classes held throughout the event, as well as a fiber animal barn. Explore the world of fiber, spinning, weaving, knitting and crochet. Admission and parking are free.
The RiverRat Run 1/2 marathon, 10k and 5k are timed races starting at Gavins Point Recreation Area west of Yankton and proceeding out along the Lewis and Clark Campground and Gavins Point Trails and Day use Area. Pre-registration is required to participate and is available online. No race day registrations are accepted for any race.
Featuring some great musical talent from the Black Hills area, Colorado and Georgia, the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce brings you the Rockin' Riverside Summer Concert Series. These free Saturday night concerts are held at the Centennial Park (except for July 5 which will be at the Mueller Center). Performances will begin at 6 p.m. and will last roughly until 9 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and plan to spend a fun evening listening to some great music. There are two concerts per month in June, July and August. See our website for dates and artists.
Featuring some great musical talent from the Black Hills area, Colorado and Georgia, the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce brings you the Rockin' Riverside Summer Concert Series. These free Saturday night concerts are held at the Centennial Park (except for July 5 which will be at the Mueller Center). Performances will begin at 6 p.m. and will last roughly until 9 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and plan to spend a fun evening listening to some great music. There are two concerts per month in June, July and August. See our website for dates and artists.
Each year on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, the Friends of the Hot Springs Public Library hosts the Southern Hills Triathlon. The race is held at Angostura State Recreation Area south of Hot Springs off US Highway 385. Medals are given to all youth and adult finishers. First Place Medals are given for adult age groups and First Place Overall Medals are given for each event. Admission: Free for spectators. Various registrations fees for participants.
Yankton is a land of firsts and fun, a playground for all ages. Once you spend a couple of days here, you’ll wonder why it took so long to discover this unique riverside gem.
South Dakota Tourism offers a complete line of support to international travelers. Learn more about who to contact here.
The annual Quilt Show sponsored by the Black Hills Quilters Guild is held in early June at The Monument in beautiful downtown Rapid City. There will be 400-500 quilts on display and about 20 vendors with quilt-related products. The show, one of the largest in the Dakotas, is a colorful feast for the eyes. Show hours are 5-8 p.m. on Thursday (preview), 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $7 per day, or $10 for a three-day pass. Free admission for children. See our website for the latest updates and information.
Celebrate the holiday season with the Annual Festival of Lights in Downtown Brookings. This annual celebration brings together the entire community for lots of lights, hot chocolate, and your favorite holiday tunes. The parade goes down Main Avenue to 3rd Street, up 5th Avenue, across 6th Street, and back to Main Avenue. Pre-parade activities start at 4 or 5 p.m. and the parade kick-off at 7 p.m. 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the celebration.
