What's going on, South Dakota? | Upcoming events & entertainment

Stay up to date with The Dakota Scout + Lyrical Limelight event listings from across the state. From festivals and concerts to theater performances, local sports and community gatherings, we bring you the latest updates on entertainment and activities for all interests. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly fun, cultural experiences or vibrant nightlife, you’ll find plenty of exciting events to explore.

Submit your events to The Dakota Scout and Lyrical Limelight by emailing [email protected].

Showtimes vary by theater
Participating theaters across South Dakota • Ticketed

The South Dakota-made feature film begins regular screenings in Aberdeen, Brookings, Madison, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux Falls and Watertown. Filmed in Aberdeen, the PG-rated family drama follows two teenagers confronting grief, faith, forgiveness and an unexplained ability to heal.

Friday activities begin 8 a.m.; Saturday grand entry noon
St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain • Registration requested

The three-day celebration continues Friday with cultural activities, campus open houses and an alumni social. Saturday’s schedule includes student-home tours, the powwow grounds blessing, grand entry, dance competitions, a complimentary meal and awards.

Schedule varies through Saturday
Hill City and Custer State Park • Cost varies by activity

Artists work outdoors throughout the Black Hills during the annual paint-out, which also includes gallery sales, receptions, a meet-and-greet and quick-draw competition.

Friday and Saturday; schedule varies
Outlaw Square, Deadwood • Free

Ian Munsick and Ashland Craft lead Friday’s outdoor music lineup. Saturday turns toward blues, funk, bluegrass and roots music with the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass, The Burroughs, The Hooten Hallers, Jalan Crossland and Stank Nasty.

7 p.m.
Belbas Theater at the Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls • Ticketed

Musician and quilt artist Ricky Tims combines live music, humor and storytelling during a concert presented by the Sioux Falls Quilt Guild.

7 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls • Ticketed

Las Vegas heavy-metal band Hemlock leads a five-band Friday-night bill with Embedded in Flesh, Hell Vendetta, Psycho 78 and Touch the Beast.

10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sioux Falls Convention Center, Sioux Falls • Free admission

Runners can collect race packets and visit vendors before Sunday’s full marathon, half-marathon and 5K. The expo is open to registered athletes and the public.

9 a.m.–noon
Brookings Activity Center, Brookings • Free admission

Regional growers, bakers and makers sell seasonal produce, baked goods and locally produced items during the Saturday market.

10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Downtown Rapid City • Free

Rapid City’s fall festival fills Main Street Square and the surrounding downtown blocks with pumpkin activities, vendors, food, entertainment and family attractions.

10 a.m.–8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday
Mazing Acres, Yankton area • Ticketed

The seasonal attraction opens with more than 30 activities, pumpkins, photo areas, food, specialty drinks and farm-based fall entertainment. The festival continues Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31.

Noon–1 a.m.; rock and metal begin 1 p.m.; EDM begins 8 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls • $25 full-event admission; $20 after-dark admission

The Halloween-themed festival surrounds two stages, weather permitting, with heavy indoor décor, rock and metal bands during the afternoon and electronic music after 8 p.m. Local artists and crafters round out the second-year event, which is being held at Bigs for the first time. All ages are welcome until 8 p.m.

1 p.m.
Kirkeby-Over Stadium, Sioux Falls • Ticketed

The Augustana Vikings host the MSU Moorhead Dragons in a Saturday-afternoon Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matchup.

3–8 p.m.; river cleanup 10 a.m.–noon
Cherapa Place Plaza, Sioux Falls • Free

The downtown festival celebrates the Big Sioux River through live music, food, drinks, guided kayaking, children’s activities and conservation programs. The Brass Holes perform at 3 p.m., followed by Mogen’s Heroes and The 1270s.

6 p.m.
Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings • Ticketed

The Jackrabbits host Youngstown State during the Dairy Drive and Whiteout game.

Full marathon begins 6:45 a.m.; other race times vary
Howard Wood Field, Sioux Falls • Registration required; spectators free

The race weekend includes a USATF-certified full marathon, half-marathon and 5K. The marathon begins east of Howard Wood Field and finishes on the stadium track, with spectators encouraged along the course.

6 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls • Ticketed

Florida hard-rock band Gunshine performs a Sunday-evening show at Bigs Bar.

Activities begin Monday and continue through Saturday
Black Hills State University, Spearfish • Cost varies by activity

Black Hills State University begins its homecoming week with campus and community activities leading toward Saturday’s parade and football game.

5:30–10 p.m.; additional sessions Sept. 22 and 28
Art Glass Co-op, Sioux Falls • Registration required

Participants create a Halloween-themed stained-glass piece shaped like a combined bat and cat during the three-session workshop.

Schedule varies through Oct. 3
NFAA Yankton Easton Archery Center, Yankton • Cost not listed

Top international archers arrive in Yankton for the first combined World Archery Field and 3D championships. The back-to-back tournaments continue through Oct. 3.

6:30–9 p.m.
R Wine Bar, Sioux Falls • Ticketed

A multicourse wine dinner pairs selections from Jessup Cellars with a menu prepared by R Wine Bar while supporting Dakota Lions Sight and Health.

6–8 p.m.; second session Sept. 30
Instructional Planning Center, Sioux Falls • Registration required

Writers explore practical methods for generating ideas, moving through stalled drafts and establishing a sustainable creative process.

Activities begin Thursday and continue through Saturday; times vary
Gavins Point Recreation Area, Yankton • Cost not listed

The three-day gathering combines outdoor recreation, fall activities and tailgate-themed events near Lewis and Clark Lake.

Doors open 5 p.m.
ICON Event Hall, Sioux Falls • Cost not listed

The international-night program brings food, music and cultural activities together for an evening highlighting global traditions.

6–8 p.m.; alternate session Friday, Sept. 25
Career and Technical Education Academy, Sioux Falls • Registration required

Participants learn the preparation, shaping and baking techniques used to make traditional French baguettes.

7 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall at the Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls • Ticketed

Gobo, Red, Mokey and Boober search for the pieces of the Celebration Stone in the first live Fraggle Rock stage production. The family show uses walk-around Fraggles, puppet-sized Doozers, a giant Gorg, original creatures, music and audience interaction.

7 p.m.; doors open 6 p.m.
Lucky’s Club 224, Sioux Falls • Ticketed

Comedians Zach Peterson, Dave Ross and Alisha Rayne perform a Thursday-night stand-up show in downtown Sioux Falls.

Doors open 6:30 p.m.; show begins 7:30 p.m.
ICON Event Hall, Sioux Falls • Ticketed; all ages

Progressive metalcore band Born of Osiris headlines an all-ages show with Sinking Under and Zenith.

Check back each week for an updated list of future events.

Friday, Sept. 25–Sunday, Sept. 27 • Schedule varies
Sioux Falls Convention Center, Sioux Falls

Saturday, Sept. 26 • 2 p.m.
Huron High School Auditorium, Huron

Saturday, Sept. 26 • 2–4 p.m.
Instructional Planning Center, Sioux Falls

Sunday, Sept. 27 • 1:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park, Sioux Falls

Sunday, Sept. 27 • 7 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall at the Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls

Tuesday, Sept. 29 • 8 p.m.; doors open 7 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls

Thursdays, Oct. 1–22 • 6–8 p.m.
Instructional Planning Center, Sioux Falls

Thursday, Oct. 1 • 5–8 p.m.
ICON Event Hall, Sioux Falls

Friday, Oct. 2 • 7 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall at the Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls

Saturday, Oct. 3 • 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Downtown Sioux Falls

Saturday, Oct. 3 • 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
South Dakota Mines campus, Rapid City

Monday, Oct. 5, Oct. 19 or Dec. 7 • 4:15 p.m.
South Dakota Aerial and Arts, Sioux Falls

Friday, Oct. 9 • 7:30 p.m.; doors open 6:30 p.m.
ICON Event Hall, Sioux Falls

Thursday, Oct. 15 • 8 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

Friday, Oct. 16 • 7 p.m.; doors open 6 p.m.
Summit Arena at The Monument, Rapid City

Friday, Oct. 23 • 7 p.m.; doors open 6 p.m.
South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, Sioux Falls

Saturday, Oct. 24 • 7 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

Saturday, Oct. 24 • 6–10 p.m.; doors open 5 p.m.
The District, Sioux Falls

Friday, Oct. 30 • 7 p.m.; doors open 6 p.m.
Lucky’s Club 224, Sioux Falls

Friday, Oct. 30 • 9 p.m.; doors open 8 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls

Thursday, Nov. 5 • Doors open 11 a.m.; program begins 11:30 a.m.
Sioux Falls Convention Center, Sioux Falls

Thursday, Nov. 12 • 7 p.m.
Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls

Friday, Nov. 20 • 8 p.m.
The District, Sioux Falls

Thursday, Dec. 3 • 7 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall at the Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls

Friday, Dec. 4–Sunday, Dec. 6 • Multiple performances
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

Tuesday, Dec. 8 • 7 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

Thursday, Dec. 10 • 7 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

Saturday, Dec. 12 • 7:30 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

Friday, Jan. 15, 2027 • 8 p.m.; doors open 7 p.m.
ICON Event Hall, Sioux Falls

Friday, Jan. 22, 2027 • 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 23 • 3 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls