Festivals & Attractions

South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, Vermillion Prairie Village, Herman & Milwaukee Railroad, Madison

Explore a wide variety of attractions and events for all ages and interests. The indoor facility at Thunder Road in Sioux Falls features a 7D Theater, Laser Tag, Ax Throwing, Hyper Bowling, Bumper Cars and more. Hundreds of butterflies soar year round and the only public salt water aquarium in the Dakotas is at the Butterfly House & Aquarium in Sioux Falls. Snow Monkeys, Rare Rhinos, and the Fortress of the Bears thrive at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls. Visit the World’s Only Corn Palace in Mitchell with lit-up color changing domes and murals created from thousands of bushels of corn, grains and grasses. The Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings has hands-on exhibits where children have a great time exploring and learning. Spend a day at Prairie Village in Madison exploring a turn of the century town and ride a recently restored steam powered carousel and locomotive. DeSmet is home to the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead and two original houses from her book The Long Winter. Corn field mazes, pumpkins, and family friendly attractions can be found at Mazing Acres during autumn near Yankton and Heartland Country Corn Maze near Harrisburg. Enjoy waterparks, like Wild Water West, and waterski shows and more at The Greatest Show On H20 in Sioux Falls. Authentic German foods are featured at Freeman’s Schmeckfest. Sample homemade kolaches at Tabor’s Czech Days, or eat your fill of kuchen, South Dakota’s state dessert, at Delmont’s Kuchen Festival. Relive the ‘good ol’ days’ at harvest and steam threshing festivals in Delmont, Madison, Menno, Brandon and North Sioux City. Rural heritage and entertainment come together for family fun at rodeos and county fairs. The Turner County Fair is the state’s oldest while the Sioux Empire Fair is the largest. Indulge in our “state nosh” at the South Dakota Chislic Festival in Freeman or celebrate the longest day of the year Scandinavian style at Dalesburg’s Midsommar Festival, near Vermillion. Immerse yourself in native culture at a powwow.

Cultural heritage & the arts

The Mead Cultural Education Center is home to the Dakota Territorial Museum and the Children’s Transportation Museum in one of the most historic buildings in Yankton. The state’s largest city, Sioux Falls offers museums, downtown dining, nightlife, art galleries and theaters. A vintage style trolley system provides rides to Falls Park, the Old Courthouse Museum and a variety of unique restaurants. Stop along the way at the Washington Pavilion, housing a visual arts center, a handson science center, a performing arts center and the Wells Fargo CineDome with a 60-foot domed screen. A new Prehistoric Adventure Climber and expanded South Dakota-themed exhibits feature roaring dinosaurs, rock quarry, fun quiz game and new agricultural exhibits. Tour the Pettigrew Home and Museum, the beautifully restored 1889 home of South Dakota’s first senator, R.F. Pettigrew. The massive Arc of Dreams sculpture spans the Big Sioux River in Downtown Sioux Falls. Levitt at the Falls, an outdoor arts venue, hosts a wide variety of performances. The National Music Museum in Vermillion is one of the most renowned institutions of its kind in the world. With more than 15,000 musical instruments, its collections are among the best anywhere. Discover artifacts that showcase the rich Native American and pioneering history as well as outstanding works of art by Native Americans and other regional artists at the Dakota Discovery Museum and the Carnegie Resource Center in Mitchell, the Center for Western Studies and the Washington Pavilion’s Visual Arts Center in Sioux Falls, the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, Heritage Hall in Freeman, and other museums through out the region. Observe a live archaeological dig at Mitchell’s Prehistoric Indian Village. Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home has the architectural design of Eastlake Stick Style, with an elegant Queen Anne interior and offers a glimpse into Yankton’s past. The South Dakota Shakespeare Festival in Vermillion features professional players in a different performance each year at a classic outdoor theatre. Enjoy annual arts and music events such as: Art & Wine Walk in Sioux Falls during May and October,. Yankton Riverboat Days & Summer Arts Festival and the Sioux River Folk Festival at Newton Hills State Park in August, Sidewalk Arts Festival in Sioux Falls in September, and many more.

Shopping, dining & accommodations

Many stores and specialty shops carry quality items made in South Dakota, including buffalo jerky, homemade jams, quilts and more. Communities that offer exceptional antique shopping include Mitchell, Sioux Falls and Yankton. Indulge your taste buds at outstanding local restaurants. The Combine is a fun new sports bar in Garretson. The Pizza Ranch, in Mitchell and in Canton, are local favorites. Charlie’s Pizza House, an institution in Yankton, was named Best Pizza in South Dakota by Food Network in 2019. JoDean’s Steakhouse, also in Yankton, is much like a heritage museum, with a huge display of antiques. Stensland Family Farms, established in 1915, is an award winning, family-owned farm located just outside of Sioux Falls. Their famous ice cream is sold at three company stores in Sioux Falls as well as the Falls Overlook Café, located in Falls Park. Visitors and tour groups can experience “Ag Tourism” at the Stockyards Ag Experience. Locally sourced, hand-crafted artisan cheeses are available at the Dimock Cheese Store near Mitchell. Farm Life Creamery near Ethan offers a great variety of foods and family fun, including a petting zoo and mini golf, on their farm. Both just minutes south of Mitchell. Local wineries, which grow their own grapes and make their wine on the premises, also offer tours, wine tasting and special events. If your taste is for craft beer, you’ll find a burgeoning craft beer scene with breweries and brewpubs throughout the region. For more about our Wine, Brew & Spirits Trail see page 42. Lodging choices in southeast South Dakota include everything from rustic and rural to modern urban stays. Steever House, near Lennox is a Queen Anne Victorian B&B; Cogan House, near Springfield is a quiet retreat on the Missouri River; River Valley Retreat overlooks the scenic Sioux River Valley just north of Sioux Falls; Blue Tin Ranch is a beautiful rural lodge near Burbank; and Hotel On Phillips is an upscale boutique hotel with all the amenities. Experience the unique and rustic rural chic of the Midwest LivInn in Tyndall, which also features seasonal kayak rentals. Summer Cottage in Scotland is a great small town get-away. Lodges at Palisades State Park, Newton Hills State Park and Lewis & Clark Recreation Area offer all the comforts of home. As with every event or attraction, call ahead or look up last minute changes to dates and time on the business’ website or Facebook pages. Native American Dancers at Falls Park, Sioux Falls

South Dakota Chislic Festival, Freeman

Sioux Empire Fair, W H Lyon Farigrounds, Sioux Falls

Pioneer Power Show, Menno

2022 Calendar of Festivals & Events

Enjoy ethnic foods, hike beautiful trails, experience rural festivals, explore western history, and find one of a kind attractions.

March

4-5 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Wash. Pavilion, Sioux Falls, 605-367-6000 12 Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home Mystery Dinner, 605-665-7470 18-19 Schmeckfest: Freeman Academy, Freeman, Schmeckfest.com 19 St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Downtown Sioux Falls, dtsf.com 25-26 Schmeckfest: Freeman Academy, Freeman, Schmeckfest.com 25-26 “Hairspray”: Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, 605-367-6000 31 McCrossen Banquet Auction: Sioux Falls, 605-339-1203

April

16 Downtown Easter Egg Hunt: Downtown Sioux Falls, 605-338-4009 21 British Invasion: Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, 605-367-6000 23 Celebrating 150 Years: Tabor, SD, www.taborsd.com 23 Good Earth Day: Good Earth State Park, Sioux Falls, 605-213-1036 24 Sioux Falls Skedaddle: Sioux Falls, 605-271-0480 24 Kenaston Family: De Smet Arts Council Concert, 605-203-0126 28-29 Dakota Conf.: Center for West. Studies,Sioux Falls 605-274-4007 29 Pet Show: Lewis & Clark Rec., Chief White Crane, 605-668-2985 30 SD Symphony, Cent. Finale: Wash. Pavilion, Sioux Falls, 605-367-6000

May

3-8 “Come From Away”: Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, 605-367-6000 6 Spring Art & Wine Walk: Downtown Sioux Falls, 605-338-4009 7 Consignment Auction: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 8 Mother’s Day, Free Fishing: SD State Parks, 605-223-7660 21 Queen Bee Day: Remedy Brewing Co. Sioux Falls, 605-223-7660 20-22 Open House & Free Fishing: SD State Parks, 605-223-7660

June

3-4 Rodeo Days: Royal River Casino & Hotel, Flandreau, 605-997-3746 5 Miss Prairie Village Pageant: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 9-12 Harrisburg Days: Harrisburg, 605-767-5011 10 Northern Bull Riding Tour: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 11 Homestead Day: L & C Rec. Area, Pierson Ranch., 605-668-2985 11 Luce Pioneer Day: Lake Herman State Park, Madison, 605-256-5003 11-12 Fun Days: Emery., 605-449-4455 11-12 Old Settlers Days: De Smet., 605-203-0126 12 The Browns Concert: De Smet Arts Council Concert, 605-203-0126 16-18 Czech Days: Tabor, taborczechdays.com 16-19 South Dakota Shakespeare Festival: Vermillion, 605-622-0423 17-18 “Anastasia”: Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, 605-367-6000 17-19 Jesse James Days: Garretson, visitgarretsonsd.com/jessejamesdays 18 Holy Rocka Rollaz Concert: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 18 Weston Frank Live: Schadé Vinyard & Winery, Volga, 605-627-5545 18-19 Jamboree Days: Hartford, 605-528-3338 19 Father’s Day Open House & Free Fishing: State Parks, 605-773-3391 24 Midsommar Festival: Dalesburg Lutheran, Vermillion, 605-253-2575

Rodeo

25 Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home Mystery Dinner, 605-665-7470 25 Leap to Lane Festival: Wessington Springs, 605-539-1929 26 Variety Show: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644

July

1 Nature’s Fireworks: Palisades State Park, Garretson, 605-594-3824 4 Community 4th of July Celebrations 4 Fireworks Show: Royal River Casino, Flandreau, 605-997-3746 4 Red, White, & Blue Bike Parade: L & C Rec. Area, 605-668-2985 8-10 Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant: DeSmet, 866-528-7273 9 Innoskate: Downtown Sioux Falls, 605-338-4009 9 David Malmberg, Ventriloquist: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 9 Live Music: Lewis & Clark Rec. Area, Amphitheater, 605-668-2985 10 Tea at Mead: Mead Cultural Education Center, 605-665-3898 10-12 Cootie Days: Dell Rapids, 605-428-3595 14-17 Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo: Mitchell, cornpalacestampede.com 14-17 Danish Days: Viborg, 605-326-5103 15-17 Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant: DeSmet, 866-528-7273 22-24 Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant: DeSmet, 866-528-7273 23 Tonic Sol Fa concert: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 23 Christmas in July: L & C Rec., Chief White Crane, 605-668-2985 23 Remedy’s 5th An. Party: Remedy Brewing, Sioux Falls, 605-271-6193 24-26 Quarry Days: Dell Rapids, 605-428-3595 30 South Dakota Chislic Festival: Freeman, 605-925-4444

August

4 Palace City Pre Sturgis Party: Corn Palace, Mitchell, 605-995-8430 5-7 Foothills Days: Wessington Springs, 605-539-1929 5-13 Sioux Empire Fair: W.H. Lyons Fairgr., Sioux Falls, 605-367-7178 6 3rd Annual Severance Day: Severance, Sioux Falls, 605-271-5480 6 Halloween in the Park: L & C Rec., Pierson Ranch, 605-668-2985 6 Railroad Day: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 6-7 Sioux River Fest.: Newton Hills State Park, Canton, 605-987-2263 7 28th Annual Car Show: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 12 Harvey Dunn Plein Air Paint Out: De Smet, 605-203-0126 12 Perseid Meteor: Palisades State Park, Garretson, 605-594-3824 13 Adams Homestead Celebration: North Sioux City, 605-232-0873 13 Open Golf Tourn.: Royal River Casino, Flandreau, 605-997-3746 13-15 Scottie Stampede Rodeo: Scotland, 605-583-4419 15-18 Turner County Fair: Parker, 605-297-4428 16-18 Dakotafest: Mitchell, dakotafest.com 20 Riverfest: Downtown Sioux Falls, 605-338-4009 21 Monroe SUN: De Smet Arts Council Concert, 605-203-0126 19-21 Riverboat Days & Summer Arts Festival: Yankton, riverboatdays.com 25-28 Steam Threshing Jamboree: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 27 Extreme Rodeo: McCrossan Boys Ranch, Sioux Falls, 605-543-5071 28 Sioux Falls Marathon: Sioux Falls, siouxfallsmarathon.com The World’s Only Corn Palace, Mitchell

September

3 Pollinator Day: Good Earth State Park, Sioux Falls, 605-213-1036 9-10 Kyle Evans Wagon Train: Wessington Springs, 605-539-1929 10 Grape Stomp: Schadé Vinyard & Winery, Volga, 605-627-5545 10 Sidewalk Arts Festival: Wash. Pavilion, Sioux Falls, 605-367-6000 11 Homesteader Day: Beaver Creek, Valley Springs, 605-594-3824 11-12 Kuchen Festival: Delmont, 605-779-2211 11-12 Old Time Harvest Festival: Delmont, 605-779-2211 16-17 INFR Qualifier Rodeo: Royal River Casino, Flandreau, 605-997-3746 17 Oktoberfest: Cramer Kenyon Home, Yankton, 605-665-7470 24 6th An. Oktoberfest: Remedy Brewing, Sioux Falls, 605-271-6193 24 Fall in the Park: Lewis & Clark Rec., Midway Beach, 605-668-2985 24-25 Pioneer Power Show: Menno, pioneeracres.com/powershow.html

October

1 Festifall: Newton Hills State Park, Canton, 605-987-2263 1 Pumpkin Train: Prairie Village, Madison, 605-256-3644 7 Fine Art & Wine Walk: Downtown Sioux Falls, 605-338-4009 9 Lightening Bugs (DooWop): De Smet Arts Council, 605-203-0126 15 Pheasant Season Opens: gfp.sd.gov/pheasant 15 Vino & Vendor: Schadé Vinyard & Winery, Volga, 605-627-5545 21-22 Haunted History Tours: Mead Cultural Ed. Center, 605-665-3898 23 Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home Mystery Dinner, 605-665-7470 29 Haunted History Overnight Ex.: Mead Cult. Center, 605-665-3898 29 Trick or Treat Trails: Big Sioux Rec Area, Brandon, 605-582-7243 30 Downtown Trick or Treat: Downtown Sioux Falls, 605-338-4009

November

12 Christmas at Adams Homestead, N. Sioux City, 605-232-0873 25 Holiday Exhibits: Mead Cultural Education Center, 605-665-3898 25-1/14 Hall of Trees: Mead Cultural Education Center, 605-665-3898 25 Parade of Lights: Downtown Sioux Falls, 605-338-4009 26 Small Business Saturday: Downtown Sioux Falls, 605-338-4009

December

2-4 Christmas at the Dells: Dell Rapids, 605-428-3595 3 Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home Mystery Dinner, 605-665-7470 3 Holiday Open House: Schadé Vinyard, Volga, 605-627-5545 4 Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home Tour, 605-665-7470 10 Santa Visits the Museum: Mead Cultural Ed. Center, 605-665-3898 10 Hometown Christmas: Wessington Springs, 605-539-1929

Ongoing Events

Year Round State Parks Hikes & Programs: State Parks, 605-773-3391 5/6 - 9/2 1st Fridays on Main: Downtown Mitchell, 605-990-4500 5/15-7/31 Sunday Concerts: Good Earth State Park, Sioux Falls, 605-213-1036 June & Dec. Free Admission for children: Mead Cultural Center, 605-665-3898