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 – including details such as fliers, links and photos – by emailing [email protected].

10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Denny Sanford Convention Center, Meeting Room 6, Sioux Falls • $5 ages 10–17, $10 adults

Novel Lattes opens its literary weekend with writing workshops and an author panel for readers and writers.

Noon MT
Multiple venues, Deadwood • Free writer’s rounds; some sessions ticketed

National and regional songwriters perform rounds throughout Deadwood. The festival runs Oct. 15–17, with performances beginning at noon and a mix of free rounds and ticketed experiences.

Noon–6 p.m.
Cliff Avenue Greenhouse & Garden Center, Sioux Falls

Glass artist Taylor Moore brings handmade pumpkins, vessels and sculptures to the garden center for a one-day sale.

Noon–7:30 p.m.
Ramkota Exhibit Hall, Sioux Falls • $5 adults; free ages 12 and younger

Browse handcrafted items and seasonal gifts from area makers. The show continues Saturday from 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

5–9 p.m.
YAPAtorium, Aberdeen • Free

This Halloween party for ages 10–17 includes a DJ, costume prizes, games, snacks and an arcade zombie challenge.

6–9 p.m.
R Wine Bar & Kitchen, Sioux Falls

The Hegg Brothers perform during R Wine Bar’s regularly scheduled Friday music night.

6–9 p.m.; early access at 5 p.m.
Great Plains Zoo, Sioux Falls • Tickets required

Trick-or-treat stations, Halloween decorations, music and a Scary Stroll fill the zoo. Saturday’s hours are 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday has a separate sensory-friendly schedule.

6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls • Tickets required

The JAS Quintet explores Miles Davis’ music from the 1950s through the early 1970s. Separately ticketed early and late sets are scheduled Friday and Saturday.

Tours depart 6:30–8:10 p.m.
Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls • $15

Actors portray people from Sioux Falls history during lantern-lit cemetery walks. Tours depart every 20 minutes Friday and Saturday and last about an hour.

7–11 p.m.
Fort Sisseton Historic State Park, Lake City • $5 per person for the maze

Fort Sisseton becomes a nighttime Halloween attraction with a haunted maze and ghost stories. The event runs Friday and Saturday evenings.

7 p.m. MT
Summit Arena at The Monument, Rapid City • Tickets from $20, plus fees

Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush bring Sugarland’s Ride or Die Tour to Rapid City, with Payton Sullivan opening.

7 p.m.; doors at 6 p.m.
DaDa Gastropub, Sioux Falls • Suggested donation of $5 or one menstrual product

Etta McKinley and Friends perform during an art show and abortion-fundraising event examining folklore surrounding pregnancy, birth and womanhood.

7 p.m.–midnight
W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls • Tickets required

The Sioux Falls Jaycees’ haunted attraction opens Friday and Saturday nights. Gate ticket sales end at 11 p.m.

7 p.m. MT
Woodburn Theatre, Black Hills State University, Spearfish • Tickets required

BHSU’s Music Department presents the musical about family, faith and change. Performances continue Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

7:30–9:30 p.m.
Founders Recital Hall, Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings • $20

Organist and silent-film historian Ben Model accompanies Buster Keaton’s 1926 comedy with a live pipe-organ score.

8:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
The Thirsty Duck, Sioux Falls

Guilty Pleasures Band plays ’70s and ’80s new wave, arena rock and soul Friday and Saturday, with the same hours both nights.

9 a.m.–noon
Levitt at the Falls south parking lot, Sioux Falls • Free

More than 20 youth groups display decorated city snowplows, and visitors can vote for their favorites.

10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Dakota Event Center, Aberdeen • $1

Vendors sell handcrafted items, repurposed furniture, farmers market goods and home décor.

10 a.m.–1 p.m.
South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings • Free

Drop in for an artist-led creative project. All materials are provided, and visitors of all ages can participate without prior art experience.

10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Faulkton School & Community Center, Faulkton • Free

More than 80 booths feature original handcrafted items, including candles, décor, jewelry and woodworking.

10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Fort Sisseton Historic State Park, Lake City

Families can explore decorated fort buildings, make crafts, hear Halloween stories and take wagon rides. A lights-on version of the haunted maze is available for an additional charge.

11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sioux Falls Arena, Sioux Falls • Free

Community organizations share health and safety resources during an all-ages event hosted by Health Connect of South Dakota.

11 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex, Watertown • Tickets required

Four championship matches decide South Dakota’s Class AA and Class A boys and girls soccer titles.

5 p.m. MT
LaCroix Hall at The Monument, Rapid City • Registration required

The Sgt. Colton Levi Derr Foundation holds its annual gala supporting its work with veterans and their families.

6–9 p.m.
R Wine Bar & Kitchen, Sioux Falls

R Wine Bar’s Saturday music schedule features a rotating solo performer.

7 p.m.
Aalfs Auditorium, University of South Dakota, Vermillion • Tickets required

The violinist performs Bach on a 1668 Jacob Stainer violin and demonstrates the National Music Museum’s 1693 Harrison Stradivari and its replica.

7:30 p.m. MT
Fine Arts Theatre at The Monument, Rapid City • $41, plus applicable fees

The Black Hills Symphony Orchestra joins Black Hills Dance Theatre for a Halloween-themed program of orchestral music and dance.

8 p.m.; doors at 7:30 p.m.
Hub City Station, Aberdeen • $10 cash

Lori Finlay headlines a stand-up show with featured performer Tony Tubes.

8 p.m.
Gateway Casino & Lounge, Sioux Falls • No cover

Singer-songwriter Blake Rave performs a Saturday-night show at Gateway.

8 p.m. music per show flyer; doors at 7 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls • $15 at the door

Three bands share the stage for a Saturday rock bill at Bigs Bar.

10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Great Plains Zoo, Sioux Falls • Tickets required

ZooBoo closes with reduced capacity and lower noise levels for guests with sensory needs. The zoo asks visitors to reserve Sunday tickets only if they need the sensory accommodations.

1:30 p.m.
Salvation Army, 237 Illinois Ave. SW, Huron • $10 advance, $15 at the door

Models show fall clothing and accessories during the Salvation Army’s annual benefit fashion show.

6–10 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls • Tickets required

Rock band 12 Stones headlines an evening bill with Strange Daze.

6 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls • Ticket prices vary

World Ballet Company presents Tchaikovsky’s ballet with a live orchestra, hand-painted sets and an international cast.

Noon–1 p.m.
Watertown Regional Library, Watertown • Free

Readers gather in the Marge Tauber South Dakota Room for the library’s monthly lunchtime book discussion.

2:30–5 p.m.
South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Brookings • $1 per craft

Stop in to make a Halloween sign decorated with bats, then take the finished project home.

3:30–5 p.m.
Business & Health Innovation Center, Northern State University, Aberdeen • Free

Colette Tate leads an in-person and online workshop on understanding customers, testing ideas and making early business decisions.

6–7 p.m.
Watertown Regional Library, Watertown • Free

Bring a current writing project or start something new during an hour of shared writing time.

7–9 p.m.
Mosaic Wine Bar & Small Plates, Brookings

Pasque’s monthly book discussion turns to Matthew Davis’ “A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore.”

Noon–1 p.m.
Beulah Williams Library Rotunda, Northern State University, Aberdeen • Free

Steven Usitalo, Ken Blanchard and Jon Schaff discuss the approaching election during Northern’s public Noon Forum.

2–3 p.m.
Rawlins Municipal Library, Pierre • Free; registration requested

Learn introductory spreadsheet skills, including entering data, formatting cells and using simple formulas. Participants should bring a laptop.

5–7 p.m.
United Church of Christ, 101 N. Merrill St., Chamberlain • $10 adults, $5 children

The church serves its annual community taco supper, with takeout orders available.

6:30 p.m.
Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls • Tickets required

James Torres performs with special guest Jesse Christen during a midweek show at Trio.

7 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls • Ticket prices vary

The progressive-rock band behind “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” performs at the Washington Pavilion.

7:30 p.m.
Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theatre, Northern State University, Aberdeen • $24 adults/$14 children advance; $28/$18 at the door

Aberdeen Community Theatre joins Northern’s Opera-Theatre program and the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony for the fairy-tale musical. Evening performances run Oct. 21–24, followed by a 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinee.

3–5 p.m.
Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce, 800 W. Dakota Ave., Pierre • Free

The chamber’s Halloween open house offers treats, games, photo backdrops and coloring activities.

6–9 p.m.
R Wine Bar & Kitchen, Sioux Falls

R Wine Bar hosts its regularly scheduled Thursday jazz performance.

6:30–7:30 p.m.
K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library, Aberdeen • Free

Minimum Maintenance Road plays classic rock, rock ’n’ roll and oldies during a Halloween-season library concert.

7–9 p.m.
W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls • Reduced-price admission at the gate

The Jaycees’ haunted attraction offers a shorter, discounted Thursday session. Bargain-night tickets must be purchased at the gate.

7 p.m. MT
Matthews Opera House, Spearfish • $25

Three sisters, a nurse with a secret and a nephew trying to sell the family home collide in Pat Cook’s comedy. The production runs Oct. 22–25.

7:30 p.m.
Belbas Theater, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls • Tickets required

The Good Night Theatre Collective presents its take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poetry. Performances continue Friday and Saturday.

7:30 p.m.; doors at 7 p.m.
Total Drag, Sioux Falls • $17 advance, $20 day of show

Madison songwriter Graham Hunt joins Minneapolis alternative-rock trio Prize Horse and Shurr Jr. for an all-ages show.

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

Friday, Oct. 23 • 4–7 p.m.
Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Brookings

Oct. 23–25 • Friday 4–8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Country Apple Orchard, Harrisburg • Friday $12.95; Saturday–Sunday $15.95, plus tax

Friday, Oct. 23 • 6–10 p.m.
The Alliance, Sioux Falls • Tickets required

Friday, Oct. 23 • 7:30 p.m.; doors at 6:30 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls • Ticket prices vary

Saturday, Oct. 24 • 9 a.m.
Kirby Science Discovery Center, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls

Saturday, Oct. 24 • 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Butterfly House & Aquarium, Sioux Falls

Saturday, Oct. 24 • Noon–4 p.m.
Jellystone Park Sioux Falls, 26014 478th Ave., Brandon • Admission required

Saturday, Oct. 24 • 2–4 p.m.
800 N. Main St., Canton

Saturday, Oct. 24 • 3–6:30 p.m.
Big Sioux Recreation Area, Brandon • State park entrance license required

Saturday, Oct. 24 • 4:30 p.m.
Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls • $9.51

Saturday, Oct. 24 • 5–8 p.m.
Jacobson Plaza and Lloyd Landing, Sioux Falls

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

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

Sunday, Oct. 25 • 1–3 p.m.
Participating businesses, downtown Sioux Falls • Free

Sunday, Oct. 25 • 1–4 p.m.
Lloyd Landing, Sioux Falls • Register by 5 p.m. Oct. 21

Sunday, Oct. 25 • 2–3 p.m.
Elk Point–Jefferson baseball field parking lot, Elk Point

Sunday, Oct. 25 • 2 p.m.
W.H. Over Museum, Vermillion • Free

Tuesday, Oct. 27 • 4–6:30 p.m.
McCrory Gardens, Brookings • Free

Tuesday, Oct. 27 • 4–7 p.m.
Great Shots, Sioux Falls • Free

Thursday, Oct. 29 • 11:30 a.m.
Hillcrest Golf & Country Club, 2206 Mulberry St., Yankton • Complimentary; RSVP by Oct. 24 at 605-731-5436

Thursday, Oct. 29 • 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls • $25; ages 21 and older

Friday, Oct. 30 • 4–5:30 p.m.
Egan Avenue, downtown Madison

Friday, Oct. 30 • 4–6 p.m.
Main Street and participating downtown locations, Vermillion

Friday, Oct. 30 • 5–7 p.m.
Main Street/4th Street, downtown Dell Rapids • Free

Friday, Oct. 30 • 6–8 p.m.
Dakota Avenue between Second and Fourth streets, Huron

Saturday, Oct. 31 • 10 a.m.–noon
The Outdoor Campus, Sioux Falls • Free

Saturday, Oct. 31 • Noon–5 p.m.
Downtown Beresford

Saturday, Oct. 31 • 1–3 p.m.
Main Street, Parkston

Saturday, Oct. 31 • 1–4 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls • Free

Saturday, Oct. 31 • 2–4 p.m.
Main Street, downtown Mitchell • Free

Saturday, Oct. 31 • 6 p.m.
Cramer Kenyon Heritage Home, Yankton • $70; reservations required

Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.–Sunday, Nov. 1, 7 a.m.
Mead Museum, Yankton • $50; ages 16 and older

Friday, Nov. 13 • 7 p.m.
Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls • $34.62–$106.24

Sunday, Nov. 15 • 8:30 a.m.–noon
The Alliance, 1600 W. Russell St., Sioux Falls • $8 adults; $2 children younger than 10

Sunday, Nov. 15 • 3–6 p.m.
The Alliance, 1600 W. Russell St., Sioux Falls • $10 chislic; $12 with fries

Nov. 20–22 • Friday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sioux Falls Convention Center, Sioux Falls • $9 adults; $8 seniors; free children younger than 10

Friday, Nov. 20 • 8 p.m.; doors at 7 p.m.
The District, Sioux Falls • Ticket prices vary

Thursday, Nov. 26 • 8 a.m.
W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds Armory Building, Sioux Falls • Free; suggested $20 donation

Dec. 4–6 • Daily schedule to be announced
Locations throughout Dell Rapids • Costs vary

Sunday, Dec. 6 • 8 p.m. MT
Deadwood Mountain Grand, Deadwood • Ticket prices vary

Tuesday, Dec. 8 • 7 p.m.; doors at 6 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls • Ticket prices vary

Dec. 10–13 • Thursday–Friday 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 1 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls • Tickets required

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

Sunday, Dec. 20 • 8:30 a.m.–noon
The Alliance, 1600 W. Russell St., Sioux Falls • $8 adults; $2 children younger than 10

Sunday, Dec. 20 • 3–6 p.m.
The Alliance, 1600 W. Russell St., Sioux Falls • $10 chislic; $12 with fries

Sunday, Dec. 20 • 8 p.m. MT
Deadwood Mountain Grand, Deadwood • Ticket prices vary

Friday, Jan. 22, 2027 • 7 p.m. MT; doors at 6 p.m.
Fine Arts Theatre at The Monument, Rapid City • Ticket prices vary

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027 • 7:30 p.m.; doors at 6:30 p.m.
Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls • Ticket prices vary