What's going on, South Dakota? | Upcoming events & entertainment
Submit your events for The Dakota Scout's Lounge section by emailing events@thedakotascout.com
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 24
Weary Ramblers at the Old Courthouse Museum Summer Concert Series
Friday, July 24 • Noon–1 p.m.
Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls | Free
Weary Ramblers perform in the plaza behind the Old Courthouse Museum as part of its Friday lunchtime concert series. The performance moves indoors if the weather refuses to cooperate.
Days of ’76 Rodeo & Parades
Friday, July 24–Saturday, July 25 • Parades at 1:30 p.m.
Days of ’76 Event Complex and downtown Deadwood
Deadwood closes its annual Days of ’76 celebration with two final days of rodeo events and afternoon parades. A Youth Native American Celebration is also scheduled Friday and Saturday at Outlaw Square.
Maxxis Midwest Speedway Nationals
Friday, July 24-Saturday, July 25 • 3-8:30 p.m.
University Plains Speedway, Brookings
University Plains Speedway hosts two days of competitive racing during the Maxxis Midwest Speedway Nationals. Friday and Saturday sessions are both listed from midafternoon through the evening.
Arts in the Park
Friday, July 24-Sunday, July 26
Hitchcock Park, Mitchell | Free
Arts in the Park begins with a Friday evening kickoff from 6-9 p.m. before continuing Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The weekend includes more than 100 vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and a beer garden.
Downtown Friday Nights with Dustin Evans
Friday, July 24 • 6-9 p.m.
Downtown Spearfish
Dustin Evans headlines this week’s Downtown Friday Nights gathering. The recurring block party includes live music, food, drinks, crafts and activities for children.
Flavor Fusion
Friday, July 24 • 6-8 p.m.
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls | $90 plus tax
Plum’s Cooking Company hosts an evening cooking class built around combining flavors and techniques from different culinary traditions. Registration is required.
Spearfish Sasquatch vs. Oahe ZAP
Friday, July 24 & Saturday, July 25 • 6 p.m.
Black Hills Power Sports Complex, Spearfish
The Spearfish Sasquatch host the Oahe ZAP for two consecutive Expedition League baseball games. Friday is Beef Night, while Saturday carries a Christmas in July theme.
Mason Jennings
Friday, July 24 • 7-10 p.m.
The Park 707, Rapid City | $20-$35
Singer-songwriter Mason Jennings brings his intimate acoustic songwriting to The Park 707 for a Friday night performance.
Hot Like Mars
Friday, July 24 • 7 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free
Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Hot Like Mars, a Chicago-based funk group that is sure to bring energy to your Friday night plans. Bring a lawn chair, your crew, and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!
Spotlight Theater Company Presents: OLYMPUS: A Greek Rock Musical
Friday, July 24 • 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 25 • 1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Belbas Theater, Sioux Falls
This 45-minute youth production turns Greek mythology into a rock musical as young performers tackle gods, heroes and the usual mythological family complications.
1776
Friday, July 24 & Saturday, July 25 • 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 • 2 p.m.
Grand Opera House, Pierre | $15
Pierre Players closes its run of 1776 with three weekend performances. The musical follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson as they attempt to persuade the Continental Congress to support American independence.
South Dakota youth baseball state tournaments
Friday, July 24–Sunday, July 26
Brookings, Harrisburg, Mitchell, Pierre, Renner, Tea and Vermillion
South Dakota Class A Baseball holds its 13U tournament in Brookings, 14U tournament in Pierre, 16U tournament across Harrisburg, Renner and Tea and a 13/14U tournament in Mitchell. The South Dakota American Legion’s 14U championship also runs Friday through Sunday in Vermillion. Daily brackets and start times vary by tournament.
Saturday, July 25
Falls Art Market
Saturday, July 25 • 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
BronzeAge Art Casting near Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free
The Falls Art Market gathers local artists and makers near the Levitt lawn with fine art, functional pieces, wearable work and rotating vendor displays.
Brookings Farmers Market and Arts Council Block Party
Saturday, July 25 • 9 a.m.-noon
300 block of Sixth Avenue and Brookings Arts Council, Brookings
The Brookings Farmers Market shares the morning with the Arts Council Block Party. Visitors can shop produce and art vendors, visit food trucks, hear live music, watch artists work and find family activities including games and face painting.
43rd Annual Gem & Mineral Show
Saturday, July 25 • 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 • 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Nerdy Nuts Expo Building at Central States Fairgrounds, Rapid City | $5 adults, free for children 12 and younger
The Black Hills Area Gem and Mineral Society brings vendors, displays, fossils, jewelry, polished stones and geological specimens to the Central States Fairgrounds for its annual weekend show.
Spearfish 150 Grill Out Party
Saturday, July 25 • 2–4 p.m.
435 Meier Ave., Spearfish
The Spearfish Historical Society Development Committee hosts a community grill-out celebrating the city’s 150th anniversary. The afternoon serves as both a birthday gathering and a fundraiser connected to local history.
Black Hills Hunger Fest
Saturday, July 25 • 4–11 p.m.
The Park 707, Rapid City | $25–$30
Black Hills Hunger Fest combines a full afternoon and evening of live music with a community fundraiser addressing hunger in the region.
Nyberg’s Ace Hot Classics Night
Saturday, July 25 • 4–10 p.m.
Downtown Sioux Falls | Free
Hot Classics Night fills downtown Sioux Falls with hundreds of classic vehicles, custom builds and automotive displays. The event is one of the largest annual car gatherings in the downtown district.
Wild Earp & The Free for Alls
Saturday, July 25 • 7 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free
Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Wild Earp & The Free for Alls, taking you for a ride along the American music landscape with their dynamic country tunes. Bring a lawn chair, your crew and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!
Wiley’s Block Party featuring Niko Moon
Saturday, July 25 • 7-11 p.m.
Wiley’s Tavern, Sioux Falls
Country artist Niko Moon headlines Wiley’s outdoor block party, with former Minnesota Vikings player and singer-songwriter Blake Proehl also scheduled to perform.
Bramble Park Zoo Food Truck Festival
Saturday, July 25 • Time not listed
Bramble Park Zoo, Watertown
Food trucks serving sweet and savory options will be stationed around the zoo grounds, with Jaded providing live music on the main stage. The zoo’s official calendar confirms the event, though current festival hours and admission details are not displayed.
Sunday, July 26
Paul Larson and Ken Cook: Cowboy Music & Poetry
Sunday, July 26 • 2–4 p.m.
High Plains Western Heritage Center, Spearfish
Paul Larson and Ken Cook mark National Day of the Cowboy with an afternoon program combining cowboy songs, poetry and Western storytelling.
American Legion Sunday Fundays: No Name Band
Sunday, July 26 • Time not listed
American Legion Post 8, Pierre | Free
No Name Band performs on the American Legion deck as part of Pierre’s recurring Sunday Fundays concert schedule.
Sioux Falls Municipal Band Presents: The Grand Finale
Sunday, July 26 • 8 p.m.
Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Sioux Falls | Free
The Sioux Falls Municipal Band closes its regular summer season inside Mary W. Sommervold Hall with a finale program celebrating the ensemble’s latest run of community performances.
Monday, July 27
Mondays at McKennan: Guilty Pleasures
Monday, July 27 • 7 p.m.
McKennan Park Bandshell, Sioux Falls | Free
Guilty Pleasures performs a variety set for this week’s Mondays at McKennan concert. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome at the bandshell.
Tuesday, July 28
Storyland Children’s Theatre: Nancy Drew and the Case of the Missing Piñata
Tuesday, July 28 • 10 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29 & Thursday, July 30 • 10 a.m.
McKennan Park Bandshell, Sioux Falls | Free
Storyland Children’s Theatre brings the young detective to McKennan Park for four performances spread across three days. The production follows Nancy Drew through a family-friendly mystery involving a vanished piñata.
Johnny Hastings
Tuesday, July 28 • 5–7 p.m.
707 Sports Bar, Rapid City | Free
Johnny Hastings performs as part of The Park 707’s recurring Tuesday summer music series.
Summer Delights
Tuesday, July 28 • 6-8 p.m.
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls | $90 plus tax
Plum’s Cooking Company hosts an evening class centered on seasonal summer dishes. Registration is required.
Autumn Lies Buried with The Behest of Serpents
Tuesday, July 28 • 7-11 p.m.
Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls | All ages
Autumn Lies Buried comes to Bigs Bar with The Behest of Serpents for an all-ages heavy music show.
South Dakota Class A Senior American Legion Baseball State Championship
Tuesday, July 28-Saturday, Aug. 1 • Times vary
Black Hills Surgical Hospital Ballpark, Rapid City
South Dakota’s Class A Senior American Legion teams meet in Rapid City for the state championship and a chance to advance to the Central Plains Regional Tournament.
Wednesday, July 29
Seafood Boil on the Dock
Wednesday, July 29 • 6-8 p.m.
Plum’s Cooking Company, Sioux Falls | $110 plus tax
Plum’s Cooking Company moves dinner outdoors for a seafood boil staged on the loading dock near Eighth and Railroad Center.
Canyon Acoustic Series
Wednesday, July 29 • 6 p.m.
Spearfish City Park, Spearfish | Free
The Canyon Acoustic Series continues with outdoor music, food vendors, arts and crafts and beer and wine service in Spearfish City Park.
Thursday, July 30
AMPT! 2026
Thursday, July 30 • 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cherapa Place, Sioux Falls | Free
AMPT! returns to Cherapa Place with live lunchtime entertainment as part of Downtown Sioux Falls’ rotating summer performance series.
Hydrant Party
Thursday, July 30 • 1-3 p.m.
Whispering Woods South Park, Sioux Falls | Free
Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation teams with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue for an afternoon of sprinklers, water balloons and other ways to get thoroughly, deliberately soaked.
Live on the Lawn: Concrete Cowboys
Thursday, July 30 • 5–7 p.m.
Main Street Square, Rapid City | Free
Concrete Cowboys perform during the final July edition of Live on the Lawn. Food trucks, yard games, fountains and a beverage garden are also planned.
Downtown at Sundown
Thursday, July 30 • 6–10 p.m.
Downtown Brookings | Free
Downtown at Sundown brings live music, local food and drink vendors, shopping and free children’s activities to downtown Brookings. Vendors open at 5:30 p.m., with music beginning at 6 p.m.
Thursday Night Live: Project Constellation
Thursday, July 30 • Doors at 6 p.m., show from 7–8:30 p.m.
Pepsi-Cola Theatre, Mitchell | Free
Project Constellation presents a mixed program of music for violin and guitar. A cocktail hour begins when doors open, and the show is open to all ages.
Parkston Amphitheater Thursday: Todd Keiffer and IVORY
Thursday, July 30 • 6–9 p.m.
Parkston Amphitheater, Parkston | Free
Todd Keiffer opens at 6 p.m., followed by IVORY at 7 p.m. Food trucks and drinks will be available during the community concert.
Summer Nights: Tripwire
Thursday, July 30 • 6–9 p.m.
Downtown Rapid City
Tripwire headlines the Summer Nights main stage as Rapid City’s weekly block party stretches along Sixth Street toward Main Street Square.
Art After Dark: All About Pink
Thursday, July 30 • 6–8 p.m.
Visual Arts Center at Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls | $20
This adults-focused Art After Dark event draws inspiration from the Barbie: A Cultural Icon exhibition with themed activities, dessert and a specialty cocktail.
Radolescents with Fueled by Spite
Thursday, July 30 • 7–11 p.m.
The Park 707, Rapid City
Original members of Southern California punk band The Adolescents perform material from the group’s Blue Album, with Rapid City’s Fueled by Spite opening the show.
Bermuda Search Party
Thursday, July 30 • 7 p.m.
Levitt at the Falls, Sioux Falls | Free
Join us for a free outdoor concert at Levitt at the Falls featuring Bermuda Search Party, with a vibrant energetic performance. Bring a lawn chair, your crew and your own snacks — or enjoy food trucks and beverages on site!
South Dakota Class A Junior American Legion Baseball State Championship
Thursday, July 30–Sunday, Aug. 2 • Times vary
Harmodon Park, Sioux Falls
The Class A Junior American Legion state tournament opens Thursday with pool play continuing through Saturday. The top teams advance to Sunday’s single-elimination bracket.
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.
Future Events
Check back each week for an updated list of future events.
South Dakota Class B Senior American Legion Baseball State Championship
Friday, July 31–Tuesday, Aug. 4
Flynn Field, Madison
South Dakota Class B Junior American Legion Baseball State Championship
Friday, Aug. 7–Sunday, Aug. 9
American Legion Field, Redfield
USS South Dakota Day of Honor
Saturday, Aug. 8 • 10 a.m.–noon
Battleship South Dakota Memorial, Sioux Falls
Children’s Theater Workshop: Space Pirates!
Friday, Aug. 14 • 7 p.m. & Saturday, Aug. 15 • 10 a.m.
Grand Opera House, Pierre
Jo Dee Messina: Bridges Tour
Sunday, Sept. 27 • 7 p.m.
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls
South Dakota Festival of Books
Saturday, Oct. 3
Sioux Falls
Zach Top: Cold Beer & Country Music Tour
Thursday, Oct. 15
Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls
