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

Submit your events for The Dakota Scout's Lounge section by emailing events@thedakotascout.com

Jul 30, 2026

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 events@thedakotascout.com.

THIS WEEK

Friday, July 31

Arlington Days

Friday, July 31 • 11 a.m.
City Park, Main Street and other locations, Arlington • Costs vary

Arlington’s three-day community celebration runs through Sunday with a free pork sandwich feed, contests, tournaments, a vendor fair, parade, free swimming, museum open houses, live music, a street dance and Sunday community activities.

TR 2026 Endless Summer Special Social Post

Thunder Road’s Endless Summer Special

Friday, July 31 • Noon–9 p.m.
Thunder Road Aberdeen, Aberdeen • $32

The weekend special runs through Sunday and includes a two-hour Thunder Road wristband plus a $5 Allevity Entertainment game card. Attractions include go-karts, miniature golf, bumper boats and the laser maze.

87th Annual Sioux Empire Fair

Friday, July 31 • Fair opens at 5 p.m. / fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls • $5 for ages 6 and older / ages 5 and younger free

The Sioux Empire Fair opens its nine-day run with midway attractions, vendors, exhibits and Fireworks at the Fair. Regular fair hours begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and continue through Aug. 8.

Pokémon Open Play & Trade

Friday, July 31 • 5–10 p.m.
Lookout Games, Spearfish

Players and collectors can bring decks, cards and trade binders for an open Pokémon gathering at Lookout Games. The event is open to experienced players, newcomers and families interested in learning the game.

Joanne Shaw Taylor

Friday, July 31 • 7 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls • Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Joanne Shaw Taylor, with her award-winning blues sound you will not want to miss. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!

Toast: The Best of Bread

Friday, July 31 • 7 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Sioux Falls • $35.81–$81.17

Toast performs the soft-rock catalog of Bread, including the group’s best-known ballads and radio singles from the 1970s. The performance is scheduled to run approximately two hours and 10 minutes.

Ron Pearson: If Family Doesn’t Get You, Gravity Will!

Friday, July 31 • 7:30 p.m.
Capitol Theatre Walker Hall, Aberdeen • $24 adults and $14 children in advance / $28 adults and $18 children at the door

Actor, storyteller, comedian and juggler Ron Pearson presents an all-ages variety show. Additional performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, with a complimentary preshow barbecue available to ticket holders.

Come From Away

Friday, July 31 • 7:30 p.m.
Black Hills Playhouse, Custer State Park near Custer

The musical recounts how residents of Gander, Newfoundland, sheltered thousands of airline passengers stranded after the September 11 attacks. Remaining performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Scared Scriptless

Friday, July 31 • 8:30 p.m.
Gatsby Showroom at Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort, Deadwood • $35 in advance / $40 at the door

Scared Scriptless creates a 90-minute comedy performance from audience suggestions, improvised games and scenes. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Jackson Taylor and the Sinners with Kimberly Meyer and Danny Grause

Friday, July 31 • 9 p.m.
The Den, Sioux Falls • $25 in advance / $30 at the door • 21+

Outlaw-country group Jackson Taylor and the Sinners returns to The Den with South Dakota country performer Kimberly Meyer and singer-songwriter Danny Grause. The smaller venue offers a close-up setting for three acts rooted in country, rock and honky-tonk music.

Class A Senior American Legion Baseball State Tournament

Friday, July 31 • Games at 4 and 7 p.m.
Black Hills Surgical Hospital Ballpark at The Fitz, Rapid City

South Dakota’s Class A Senior American Legion Baseball State Tournament continues with two elimination-round games Friday. The championship is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, with an additional game at 2 p.m. if necessary. The eight-team tournament began July 28.

Class A Junior American Legion Baseball State Tournament

Friday, July 31 • Game times vary
Sanford Diamonds, Sioux Falls

Eight teams compete in the Class A Junior American Legion Baseball State Tournament. The tournament begins Thursday, July 30, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 2.

Class B Senior American Legion Baseball State Tournament

Friday, July 31 • Game times vary
Flynn Field, Madison

Madison hosts eight teams for the Class B Senior American Legion Baseball State Tournament. The double-elimination competition runs through Tuesday, Aug. 4, with the winner advancing to the Central Plains Regional.

Saturday, Aug. 1

Palace City Farmers Market

Saturday, Aug. 1 • 9–11 a.m.
Corn Palace Plaza, Mitchell

Local growers, craftspeople and food producers gather on the Corn Palace Plaza for the weekly outdoor market. The event is held weather permitting.

Spearfish Creek Watershed Festival

Saturday, Aug. 1 • 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Spearfish City Park and watershed locations, Spearfish • Free

The day begins with hydroelectric plant tours, followed by a community creek cleanup and afternoon educational activities at the central shelter in Spearfish City Park.

Community Art Day

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

The South Dakota Art Museum and Brookings Arts Council host an open art-making session with a guest artist. Materials and activities are designed for participants with a range of ages and experience levels.

Omaha Street Percussion

Saturday, Aug. 1 • 10:30 a.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls • Free

Join us for a free family-friendly concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Omaha Street Percussion — a high-energy percussion ensemble based in Omaha. Music starts at 10:30 a.m., with food trucks Heartland Coffee and Nosh and The Corndog Company. Bring a lawn chair, your crew and snacks for a joyful morning downtown!

Goo Goo Dolls with Neon Trees

Saturday, Aug. 1 • 7 p.m.
Summit Arena at The Monument, Rapid City • Tickets start at $18.40

The Goo Goo Dolls bring their Summer Anthem Tour to Rapid City with alternative-pop band Neon Trees opening. Doors are scheduled to open at 6 p.m.

Chicken Wire Empire

Saturday, Aug. 1 • 7 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls • Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Chicken Wire Empire, a Wisconsin-based bluegrass band known for their dynamic musicality. Bring a lawn chair, your crew and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!

Carly Pearce with Sela Campbell

Saturday, Aug. 1 • 7:30 p.m.
Sioux Empire Fair Grandstand, Sioux Falls • Included with paid fair admission

Country singer Carly Pearce headlines the first Saturday of the Sioux Empire Fair, with South Dakota performer Sela Campbell opening. An optional pit pass is available separately.

The Magic of Motown

Saturday, Aug. 1 • 7:30 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Sioux Falls

The touring production revisits songs associated with Motown’s vocal groups and solo performers through live singers, musicians and choreographed staging. The program runs approximately two hours, including intermission.

Comedy with Skyler Bolks

Saturday, Aug. 1 • 8 p.m.
Hub City Station Event Center, Aberdeen • $10 at the door, cash only

Skyler Bolks headlines an evening of stand-up featuring Adam Goodge and host Tony Tubes. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. The venue has no age restriction, although some material may contain adult content.

Off Contact “Can You?” Record Release Show

Saturday, Aug. 1 • Doors at 7 p.m. / music at 8 p.m.
ICON Lounge, Sioux Falls • 18+

Sioux Falls post-punk and alternative group Off Contact celebrates the release of its new album, “Can You?” The local record-release bill also includes Glue from Sioux City, Original Star Band and Cat Mouth.

Sunday, Aug. 2

Fiesta Latina

Sunday, Aug. 2 • 1–10 p.m.
Sioux Empire Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls • Included with paid fair admission

Fiesta Latina brings music, dance and cultural performances to the fair’s Front Porch and Main Stage throughout the afternoon and evening.

Good Roots Wood-Fired Pizza Night

Sunday, Aug. 2 • 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Good Roots Farm and Gardens, Brookings • Food and drink prices vary

Good Roots serves made-from-scratch wood-fired pizzas featuring seasonal and locally grown ingredients. Guests may eat picnic-style on the farm, and advance ordering is strongly encouraged because pickup windows can fill.

The Galentines with Misty Cans and the Horny Toads

Sunday, Aug. 2 • 8 p.m.
The Den, Sioux Falls • $10 • 21+

Colorado rock group The Galentines brings its blend of classic rock, indie pop and doo-wop to Sioux Falls. Local support comes from Misty Cans and the Horny Toads.

Monday, Aug. 3

Wild Bill’s Funeral

Monday, Aug. 3 • Noon
Outlaw Square, Deadwood • Free

Deadwood Alive performers reenact the funeral procession held after the killing of Wild Bill Hickok. The public presentation begins at Outlaw Square and continues through downtown Deadwood.

Jami Lynn at Mondays at McKennan

Monday, Aug. 3 • 7 p.m.
McKennan Park Bandshell, Sioux Falls • Free

South Dakota folk singer and songwriter Jami Lynn performs as part of Sioux Falls’ free Mondays at McKennan concert series. Attendees may bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Hairball

Monday, Aug. 3 • 7:30 p.m.
Sioux Empire Fair Grandstand, Sioux Falls • Included with paid fair admission

Hairball returns to the Sioux Empire Fair with its costumed arena-rock production celebrating bands and performers from several generations of classic rock. An optional $25 pit pass includes fair admission and access directly in front of the stage.

Tuesday, Aug. 4

Bingo With Ben

Tuesday, Aug. 4 • 6 p.m.
Crow Peak Brewing Co., Spearfish

Crow Peak Brewing hosts its recurring Bingo With Ben evening, as listed on the official Spearfish events calendar.

Skillet

Tuesday, Aug. 4 • 7:30 p.m.
Sioux Empire Fair Grandstand, Sioux Falls • Included with paid fair admission

Christian rock band Skillet headlines Tuesday’s grandstand concert. Optional pit passes are available separately for $25 and include fair admission.

Codefendants with Aliens Do Exist and Night Shield

Tuesday, Aug. 4 • 8 p.m.
The Den, Sioux Falls • $20 in advance / $30 at the door • 21+

Codefendants brings its collision of punk, hip-hop, new wave and other genre-bending sounds to The Den. Sioux Falls acts Aliens Do Exist and Night Shield open the show.

Wednesday, Aug. 5

Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts

Wednesday, Aug. 5 • 6:30 p.m.
Outlaw Square, Deadwood • Free

Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts bring their country-and-rock sound to Deadwood’s free summer concert series. The outdoor performance takes place in the center of historic downtown.

Bluegrass Night at ICON featuring High Horse at ICON Sioux Falls

Bluegrass Night with High Horse and Kat Wallace

Wednesday, Aug. 5 • Doors at 7 p.m. / music at 7:30 p.m.
ICON Lounge, Sioux Falls • $20 • All ages

Progressive-acoustic string band High Horse returns to ICON with multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Kat Wallace. The performance pulls from bluegrass, folk, Celtic music, Americana and alternative rock while placing tight harmonies and intricate string playing at the center.

Rodney Atkins with Elizabeth Jo

Wednesday, Aug. 5 • 7:30 p.m.
Sioux Empire Fair Grandstand, Sioux Falls • Included with paid fair admission

Country singer Rodney Atkins headlines the Wednesday grandstand concert with Elizabeth Jo opening. Optional $25 pit passes include admission to the fair.

Thursday, Aug. 6

Downtown @ Sundown

Thursday, Aug. 6 • 6–10 p.m.
Downtown Brookings, Brookings • Free

The weekly outdoor festival includes live music, children’s activities, food and beverage vendors and local retailers. Vendors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by the evening’s headlining band at 6 p.m.

Ruthie Craft & Devon Sants

Thursday, Aug. 6 • 6–8 p.m.
Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort, Spearfish

Ruthie Craft and Devon Sants share an evening of live music at Elkhorn Ridge. The resort and Visit Spearfish describe the performance as family-friendly and open to the public.

The Fretliners

Thursday, Aug. 6 • 7 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls • Free

Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring The Fretliners, a band defined by their songwriting and a sound that feels both timeless and new. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!

Cooper Alan with Dylan Schneider

Thursday, Aug. 6 • 7:30 p.m.
Sioux Empire Fair Grandstand, Sioux Falls • Included with paid fair admission

Country performer Cooper Alan headlines Thursday night at the fair with Dylan Schneider opening. Optional $25 pit passes include fair admission.

Bree Morgan and the Chillbillies

Thursday, Aug. 6 • 8–11 p.m.
The Den, Sioux Falls • Free

Wisconsin country-rock performer Bree Morgan visits Sioux Falls with the Chillbillies for a free Thursday-night show at The Den. Morgan’s sound draws from ’90s country, rock and pop, delivered through a full-band performance.

Have an event we should consider for a future roundup? Send the event name, date, time, location, ticket or event link, and a short description to Intellectual Dissatisfaction.