The biggest South Dakota fair west of the Missouri River takes place in Rapid City at the Central States Fairgrounds. Spend your day sampling delicious food and checking out carnival rides and exhibits for all ages before capping off each night with a demolition derby, rodeo, or concerts by great country music acts. The fair also features children's entertainment, regional music, a magic show, and pig wrestling. See the website for admission and additional information.
The Clay County Fair, held each August in Vermillion, is a classic hometown fair. It features 4-H and open class exhibits, 4-H livestock shows, a kids pedal pull contest, a cornhole tournament, Barnyard Olympics, inflatables, vendors, a free community barbeque on Thursday, and a Backyard BBQ Bash, demolition derby and street dance on Saturday, entertainment and more. Join us Thursday through Saturday. Find this year's event schedule on our website.
Bring the entire family out to Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park on Lake Kampeska near Watertown for two days of family-friendly fun. Cookin' on Kampeska is packed full of exciting activities and entertainment for everyone - BBQ tasting, children's activities, bean bags, Corks and Kegs, inflatables, live music and more. Check out the complete schedule of events online and make plans to join us in July. Admission is $10 and children 10 and under are free. Planning to attend both days? Purchase a weekend pass for $15. See our website and Facebook for the latest updates.
Located on a ranch “out where the pavement ends and the West begins,” seven miles northeast of Clear Lake, the Crystal Springs Rodeo is the most unique rodeo you will ever attend. The rolling Coteau Hills come together to form an all-natural rodeo bowl with hillside seating. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the excitement of a PRCA rodeo all three nights. Get there early to reserve your spot - gates open at 5:30 p.m. Browse the hillside vendors before the rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. nightly. See our website for ticket information and other details. 2025 marks the 79th year of the Crystal Springs Rodeo.
Feel the thunder at the 60th Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup on Friday, September 26, 2025. Watch cowboys, cowgirls and park rangers as they round up and drive the herd of approximately 1,300 buffalo. Be sure to plan for plenty of time at the three-day Arts Festival, September 25-27, where more than 100 vendors will offer fine arts and crafts and South Dakota made products. (On Friday, parking lots open at 6:15 a.m. Early arrival is recommended.) There is no admission to the Roundup or the Arts Festival, but a park entrance license is required September 25 and 27 (it is not required September 26).
The Dakota 600 is the region’s premier off-road, fund-raising motorcycle trail ride. Proceeds from this AMA-sanctioned ride are used to create and enhance motorcycle trails in western South Dakota and other western mountain states. Riders will create riding memories that will last a lifetime and provide funds for continuing creation of motorcycle adventures. Participant fee includes lodging, five breakfast, five evening meals and trail permits and park passes. See website or Facebook page for more registration information.
Head to Deadwood for the annual Deadweird celebration. It's how Deadwood does Halloween. Make plans for the annual Monster Ball on Friday (7-10 p.m.), with a live band, dancing and prizes; and the annual Costume Contest with more than $10,000 in cash and prizes for the best costumes on Saturday (6-9 p.m.). Both of these events are FREE, so come in costume or just come to watch - it is quite the sight! Must be 21 to participate. Admission: Free
The Deadwood 3 Wheeler Rally (D3WR) is an event with the goal to bring three-wheelers, also known as Trikes, to Deadwood and the Black Hills. This annual event runs for five days and includes daily destination rides to sites in the Black Hills area. Other activities - most of which take place in downtown Deadwood - include vendors, socials/BBQ, entertainment, Trike Show n’ Shine, awards, trike parades, charitable fundraising and more. The event is organized by First Gold Hotel & Gaming. Admission: Parade, show n' shine, and vendor area are free to spectators. Trikers must pre-register for the event.
Get ready for the inaugural premiere Blues Festival of the Black Hills this July in Historic Deadwood. This three-day festival features co-headliners Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Samantha Fish on the Outlaw Square stage, over a dozen local and regional blues bands performing throughout town, a La Aurora Cigar VIP Party at Deadwood Tobacco Company, and a blues brunch at Deadwood Mountain Grand.
Rock, reggae and blues fill the Black Hills for two incredible days of outdoor concerts. Each year, the Deadwood Jam brings a wide array of top musical talent to the Black Hills and Deadwood's Outlaw Square, from celebrated acts to newcomers, rising stars and local talent. For more than 30 years, Deadwood has hosted this fun festival of music each September. Admission is free.
