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].

8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center, Yankton

The international championship moves into team and mixed-team medal matches, followed by the team awards ceremony.

Noon presentation; 1:30 p.m. ribbon cutting
Mead Museum, Yankton

Executive Director Crystal Mensch traces the eight-year development of the museum’s new 2,500-square-foot permanent exhibit before its ribbon cutting.

Friday noon–Sunday 7 p.m.
Brookings Inn and Convention Center, Brookings

Nearly 100 tattoo artists join regional vendors for live tattooing, entertainment, food and music across three days.

Friday–Sunday; schedule varies
The Journey Museum, Rapid City

The 17th annual festival screens independent features, documentaries and shorts, with filmmaker conversations and programs focused on South Dakota and Native storytelling.

Friday check-in 4 p.m.; player auction 5 p.m.; play follows
Highland Conference Center, Mitchell

Open and Sports divisions compete all weekend, with a Hard Luck doubles tournament Saturday afternoon.

Friday 4–8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Country Apple Orchard, Harrisburg

The orchard’s weekly fall festival combines seasonal attractions and family entertainment across the weekend.

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

Black Hills Works Foundation honors 24 community members at its annual recognition evening.

5–8 p.m.
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls • Free

Free First Friday adds Jackrabbit activities, student demonstrations, NASA competition rovers and hands-on family projects.

5:30–7 p.m.
Pioneer Park, Brookings

The traditional marathon-weekend opener follows a scenic route through historic neighborhoods, parks and bike paths.

Gates 6 p.m.; music 6:30–8 p.m.
Malchow Plaza, Aberdeen • Free

Bring a chair or blanket for local music around the fire, with a limited supply of complimentary s’mores.

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

Vocalist Ken Hoyne leads two intimate jazz-club sets centered on classic songs and easygoing storytelling.

7–9 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Sioux Falls

The Hegg Brothers bring a large cast of regional musicians together for an expansive collaborative concert.

7–10 p.m.
Hook and Ladder Patio, Sioux Falls

The Back 40 Boys play an outdoor evening set on the patio.

Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.
Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls • $17.91–$23.57

This original stage production follows a search for identity through a vivid world of masks, mirrors and circus imagery.

Friday and Saturday 7–9:30 p.m.
The World’s Only Corn Palace, Mitchell

The Corn Palace Cup closes the season with two nights of championship bull riding, followed by live music Saturday night.

Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
DWU Black Box Theatre, Mitchell

A Dakota Wesleyan student-led production presents Martin Zimmerman’s one-woman drama.

7:30–9 p.m.
Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings

Organist Andrew Schaeffer performs a recital shaped by his work in church music, performance and improvisation.

Doors 6:30 p.m. MT; show 7:30 p.m. MT
Fine Arts Theatre at The Monument, Rapid City

The country veteran brings his No Alibis Tour to Rapid City with Chandler Walters and Sela Campbell.

Friday and Saturday 7–11 p.m.
Terror 29 Haunted Corn Maze, Valley Springs

Guests navigate a nighttime corn maze while avoiding roaming zombies and hunting for a hidden serum.

Doors 8 p.m.; show 8:30–11 p.m.
ICON Events and DaDa Gastropub, Sioux Falls • Free; $15 suggested donation

Local performers compete in a high-energy karaoke fundraiser presented by The Premiere Playhouse.

7 a.m.–2 p.m.
Pioneer Park, Brookings

One of the country’s longest-running annual marathons sends runners through parks, historic neighborhoods and tree-lined streets.

8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Holiday Inn City Centre, Sioux Falls • Free

The 24th annual statewide literary gathering brings authors and readers together for talks, panels, signings and book-centered conversation.

Parade 8:30 a.m.; field prelims 10:45 a.m.; finals 6:30 p.m.
Downtown Sioux Falls and Howard Wood Field • Parade free; field $20 adults, $10 students, ages 5 and younger free

Regional high school marching bands compete in the downtown parade and a full day of field performances.

9 a.m.
Main Street, Vermillion • Free

USD’s 112th homecoming parade carries the theme “Lights, Camera, Coyotes” from Vermillion High School through downtown.

9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Main Avenue, Brookings • Free

Downtown Brookings hosts vendors, live music and family activities before a 6 p.m. SDSU football watch party on the big screen.

Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Barnett Fieldhouse at The Monument, Rapid City • $10 for both days

Exhibitors and specialists cover emergency supplies, survival gear, first aid and off-grid living.

10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center, Aberdeen

Young guests can dress up for dancing lessons, royal etiquette, a tea-party spread, photos and visits from costumed characters.

10 a.m.–3 p.m. MT
Nucor Mineral Industries Building, Rapid City • Free

Hands-on exhibits and demonstrations explore mining, materials, munitions and manufacturing for families, students and the wider community.

10 a.m.–2 p.m.
East Pierre Landscape and Garden Center, Pierre

Kids can take on games, pumpkin painting and a hay-bale maze, with free popcorn and cider while supplies last.

Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Riverview Christmas Tree Farm, Canton

The annual festival includes pumpkin and apple cannons, inflatables, rides, food, live music, drinks and more than 30 pumpkin varieties.

Participating business hours
Downtown Mitchell

Downtown shops offer seasonal specials, surprises and prize drawings during this citywide shopping day.

10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center, Fort Pierre

Regional makers and small businesses set up during Fort Pierre’s horse-racing weekend.

11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Riverview Christmas Tree Farm, Canton

Growers from across the region bring their biggest pumpkins to the scale for a live state weigh-off.

First post 1 p.m.
Stanley County Fairgrounds, Fort Pierre • $10; ages 16 and younger free

South Dakota’s only live race meet marks its 78th year with quarter horse and thoroughbred races.

2 p.m.
DakotaDome, Vermillion

The Coyotes host Indiana State in USD’s 112th Dakota Days homecoming game.

Nominee tea 3 p.m.; art show 4 p.m.; social 5:30 p.m.; banquet 6:30 p.m.
Huron Event Center, Huron

South Dakota’s premier statewide women’s award is presented after an afternoon tea, art show and social.

5 p.m.
Corn Palace Plaza, Mitchell • Free

The family fun run opens Palace City race weekend in front of the Corn Palace.

6:05 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

The Stampede face their I-29 rival in an early season USHL matchup.

6–9 p.m.
Yogi Bear Camp Resort, Brandon

Nighttime admission includes the corn maze, jumping pillow, mini golf, silent disco and community bonfire.

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

The Olsen Brothers bring two intimate jazz sets to Trio.

Doors 6 p.m.; fights 7 p.m.
Sioux Falls Arena • Ticketed

Ten full-contact bouts put armored fighters with swords, maces and shields inside an iron cage.

Doors 7 p.m.; show 7:30–10 p.m.
Full Circle Book Co-op, Sioux Falls • About $12.51

The local venue hosts an evening set from Common Man.

7:30–9:30 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Sioux Falls

The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra opens its season with Rachmaninoff, Ravel and a world premiere by Xavier Beteta.

Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m.
Prism Community Center, Sioux Falls • $12.50

Singer-songwriter Mike Maimone pairs an album and book release performance with stories from the new project.

8–11 p.m.
ICON Event Hall and Lounge, Sioux Falls • About $14.61

A themed pop-party night leans into 2000s nostalgia and dance-floor favorites.

8 p.m.
Club David, Sioux Falls • Ticketed; 21 and older

Club David turns the night over to disco-era dance music and retro party energy.

7–9:30 p.m.
Riverview Christmas Tree Farm, Canton • $10; children under 35 inches free

A three-quarter-mile trail uses the farm’s wooded terrain and local-history stories for an outdoor Halloween scare.

8 a.m.
Great Bear Ski Valley, Sioux Falls • $50 adults; $25 juniors

The inaugural mountain-bike enduro features five timed downhill stages linked by untimed transfers. Advance registration is required.

1–2:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, Brookings • Free; donations support Feeding Brookings

SDSU student musicians perform vocal and instrumental selections in the church’s historic sanctuary.

2–3 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls • Free

Photographer Paul Horsted shares then-and-now images from more than 100 South Dakota communities and signs his new book.

Doors 3 p.m.; show 4–6 p.m.
Library Auditorium at the Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center • $25 members, $30 nonmembers, $15 students

A live tribute traces Carole King’s songwriting and the enduring catalog of Tapestry.

8–11 p.m.
The Den, Sioux Falls • $15 advance; $20 door

Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy bring brass-driven roots music to The Den with two regional support acts.

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

James Dean takes the Trio stage for an early evening jazz set.

6:30–7:30 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls • $15

A guided bus tour visits Sioux Falls sites tied to ghost stories and haunted local history. Tickets are limited.

Social 5 p.m. MT; presentation 6 p.m. MT
Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, Lead

Artist in Residence Rachel Berg explores the intersections of art, science and Lakota star knowledge.

9–11:30 a.m.
The Monument Alpine and Ponderosa Rooms, Rapid City

This interactive workplace training focuses on disability, communication, barriers and employee support during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

5–8 p.m.
Downtown Aberdeen • $55

Ticket holders sample 20 craft beers with snacks and games while walking among downtown stops.

Doors 7 p.m.
ICON Event Hall, Sioux Falls

Canadian metal duo Opal In Sky headlines a four-band heavy-music bill.

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

Oct. 9–11 • Friday doors at 4 p.m.; Saturday at 10 a.m.; Sunday at 11 a.m.
Summit Arena at The Monument, Rapid City

Friday, Oct. 9 • Doors at 6:30 p.m.; show at 7:30 p.m.
ICON Event Hall, Sioux Falls

Saturday, Oct. 10 • 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Convention Center, Sioux Falls

Saturday, Oct. 10 • 7 p.m.
Aberdeen Civic Theatre, Aberdeen

Sunday, Oct. 11 • Doors at 6:30 p.m.; show at 7:30 p.m.
Summit Arena at The Monument, Rapid City

Thursday, Oct. 15 • Doors at 6:30 p.m.; show at 8 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls

Friday, Oct. 16 • 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Rapid City YMCA, Rapid City

Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17 • 6 and 8 p.m.
West River Comedy Club, Rapid City

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

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

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

Friday, Nov. 13 • 7 p.m.
Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls

Friday, Nov. 20 • Doors at 7 p.m.; show at 8 p.m.
The District, Sioux Falls

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

Dec. 10–13 • Six performances
Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Sioux Falls

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

Friday, Jan. 8, 2027 • 7 p.m.
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls