We will be heating up Aberdeen's Main Street for this year's Sizzlin' Summer Nights Car & Bike Show. There will be a beer garden and outdoor concert and the Car Show runs 4-8 p.m. Awards are handed out for Best in Show and People's Choice.
The Original SD State BBQ Championships is a Kansas City BBQ Society-sanctioned event. Teams gather in Huron from the greater Midwest area and Canada to compete for a chance to take home some of the thousands of dollars in cash prizes and a chance to qualify for the National Competition. The F.A.T. Friday Chili Challenge and Backyard BBQ Competition are all part of the fun. The public can participate in the People's Choice category in the chili and BBQ competitions. The event is part of Wheel Jam weekend.
The annual Festival of Books is South Dakota's premier literary event. It is held each year in the fall, alternating between eastern locations and western locations. The festival celebrates reading, writing and the humanities with locally-known and nationally-recognized authors. The 2025 event - the 23rd anniversary - is set to take place in Spearfish. (Currently, the 2026 event will take place in Brookings.)
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.
The annual Open House Weekend includes free entrance to all South Dakota state parks and recreation areas statewide. Because it is also Free Fishing Weekend, fishing licenses are not required. A number of parks will also host special events to kick off the summer. Please note that camping fees and fishing regulations and limits still apply.
Members of the Dakotas Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club from five states will meet in Custer for a weekend of cruising and showing off their cars. Owners will display their cars and trucks on 6th Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be both restored and customized vehicles in the show. Viewers can vote for their favorite car or truck. Free admittance to viewers who can vote for their favorite vehicle.
The annual Sturgis Mustang Rally is a week-long rally packed with racing, cruises, a car show and fun events. Racing events include autocross, drag racing, barrel racing and rodeo. Take a BFGoodrich Driving Class and learn how to increase your skills. Most of the events take place at the ThunderDome and are only open to SMR registered participants. The Show & Shine and parade are open to the public.
Live performances by local and regional artists with vibrant Downtown Aberdeen as the backdrop – what could be better? The Aberdeen Downtown Associations hosts three family-friendly, free outdoor concerts each summer, serving as an opportunity to get out and enjoy what downtown has to offer. Whether you (and your kiddos) want to dance or you prefer to relax on the sideline, our diverse line-up of artists are sure to entertain young and not-so-young alike. You’ll also find an impressive collection of beers and food vendors, so plan to have dinner with us as well. Bring your camp chairs and enjoy a fun night of free outdoor entertainment for the whole family. Held at the Malchow Plaza with food & beverages starting at 6 p.m. and music at 7 p.m. Dates in 2025 are June 26, July 10 and July 24.
Live performances by local and regional artists with vibrant Downtown Aberdeen as the backdrop – what could be better? The Aberdeen Downtown Associations hosts three family-friendly, free outdoor concerts each summer, serving as an opportunity to get out and enjoy what downtown has to offer. Whether you (and your kiddos) want to dance or you prefer to relax on the sideline, our diverse line-up of artists are sure to entertain young and not-so-young alike. You’ll also find an impressive collection of beers and food vendors, so plan to have dinner with us as well. Bring your camp chairs and enjoy a fun night of free outdoor entertainment for the whole family. Held at the Malchow Plaza with food & beverages starting at 6 p.m. and music at 7 p.m. Dates in 2025 are June 26, July 10 and July 24.
Live performances by local and regional artists with vibrant Downtown Aberdeen as the backdrop – what could be better? The Aberdeen Downtown Associations hosts three family-friendly, free outdoor concerts each summer, serving as an opportunity to get out and enjoy what downtown has to offer. Whether you (and your kiddos) want to dance or you prefer to relax on the sideline, our diverse line-up of artists are sure to entertain young and not-so-young alike. You’ll also find an impressive collection of beers and food vendors, so plan to have dinner with us as well. Bring your camp chairs and enjoy a fun night of free outdoor entertainment for the whole family. Held at the Malchow Plaza with food & beverages starting at 6 p.m. and music at 7 p.m. Dates in 2025 are June 26, July 10 and July 24.
