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

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

Jun 18, 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, June 19

AMPT! Downtown 2026

Friday, June 19 • 11:30 a.m.

The Steel District, Sioux Falls

AMPT! brings live local music downtown during the lunch hour, with Friday performances scheduled at The Steel District as part of the summer series. It is an easy midday stop for downtown workers, visitors and anyone who wants music without making a whole evening of it.

Jesse James Days

Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21 • Various times

Garretson, SD | Some events free; street dance $15

Jesse James Days returns to Garretson for three days of community events, including live music, entertainment, a parade, 5K/10K road race, vendor fair, inflatables, model trains, art activities and more. The Garretson Commercial Club event runs throughout the weekend, with the full schedule listing daily activities across town.

AJC Mid America Series

Friday, June 19 • 3 p.m.

Brookings Kart Club, Brookings

Brookings Kart Club hosts an afternoon and evening of kart racing with multiple classes on its dirt oval track. The event is geared toward racing fans, families and anyone who prefers their summer noise with engines attached.

BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals

Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20 • Time not listed in email

Huset’s Speedway, Brandon

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series wraps up a major week at Huset’s Speedway with the BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals. Joe’s forwarded release says the June 17-20 racing week includes the Hefty Seed Huset’s Hustle on June 17-18 and the High Bank Nationals on June 19-20, with Saturday’s finale carrying a $300,000 winner’s share and a possible $400,000 payday if the posted bounty is claimed.

Estelline Rodeo & Reunion Days

Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20 • Gates open Friday at 4 p.m., mutton bustin’ at 5 p.m., rodeo at 6 p.m.

Estelline Rodeo Grounds, Estelline | Adults $15 advance, $20 door; youth $5; ages 4 and under free

Estelline Rodeo & Reunion Days runs June 19-20 with two nights of rodeo, mutton bustin’ and community events. The rodeo is MRA, MSRA and SDRA approved, making it one of the main rodeo stops in the state this week.

Juneteenth Celebration

Friday, June 19 • 5:30 p.m.

Pioneer Park, Brookings | Free

The Brookings Human Rights Commission sponsors the seventh annual Brookings Juneteenth Celebration, with live music, educational programming, kids activities, lawn games, a DJ, dancing and light food for purchase. The event is open to the community and does not require registration.

Gary Mehlbrech at Hook and Ladder

Friday, June 19 • 6 p.m.

Hook and Ladder, Sioux Falls

Gary Mehlbrech plays an early Friday evening set at Hook and Ladder. The local listing runs from 6 to 9 p.m., making it a good smaller-room music option before later Friday concerts.

Live Music at Trio Jazz Club

Friday, June 19-20 • 6:30 p.m.

Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls

Trio Jazz Club has live music listed from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

2026 Summer Dinner Theatre

Friday, June 19 • 6:30 p.m.

Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell

Dakota Wesleyan University’s Ron and Sheilah Gates Department of Theatre presents Love, Sex, and the I.R.S. as part of its Summer Dinner Theatre. The evening pairs the stage comedy with a four-course dinner.

Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats

Friday, June 19 • 7 p.m.

Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Lee Rocker, founding member and bassist for the Stray Cats, performs at Levitt at the Falls as part of the venue’s free summer concert season. Lawn seating is first come, first served, with blankets and lawn chairs welcome.

The Wilt Brothers Band

Friday, June 19 • 7 p.m.

The Custer Beacon, Custer

The Wilt Brothers Band plays a Friday night set at The Custer Beacon. The venue’s calendar lists the show from 7 to 10 p.m., giving Black Hills listeners a local live-music option to close the week.

Angel BP w/ Jaden H + More at ICON

Friday, June 19 • 8 p.m.

ICON, Sioux Falls | $15

Angel BP performs at ICON with Jaden H, Blaeko and Karmike Collective. The venue lists the show as all ages, with tickets available through Ticketweb.

Wild Bill Days

Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21 • Time not listed

Main Street, Deadwood | Free

Deadwood’s Wild Bill Days celebrates Wild Bill Hickok with free concerts, a vendor market, Old West demonstrations and reenactments, a classic car auction, and gold panning and sluicing activities. The event runs all weekend in downtown Deadwood.

Saturday, June 20

Harvey Mills Longest Day 10K

Saturday, June 20 • 8 a.m.

Fishback Soccer Complex, Brookings

The Harvey Mills Longest Day 10K starts and ends at Fishback Soccer Complex, with a route through Brookings Nature Park. The event offers open 10K and relay divisions, with proceeds benefiting local cross country programs.

Pollinator Day at the Brookings Farmers Market

Saturday, June 20 • 9 a.m.

Brookings Farmers Market, Brookings | Free

Pollinator Day adds family-friendly, educational and interactive activities to the regular Brookings Farmers Market. Visitors can also shop produce, meats, baked goods, honey, flowers, artisan items and other market goods.

Brookings Kite Festival

Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21 • Saturday and Sunday daytime hours, with Saturday lighted kite show at 8:30 p.m.

Fishback Soccer Complex, Brookings | Free

The Brookings Kite Festival runs June 20-21 with giant show kites, space to fly your own, food trucks and kids games. Saturday also includes an evening lighted kite show.

McCrossan - 🐴 Spots are still open for the 2026 Hobby Horse Relay happening June 20th around Lake Lorraine! Gather your team of 4 and get ready for a day full of

2nd Annual Hobby Horse Relay

Saturday, June 20 • Noon

Big Lost Brewery & Meadery / Lake Lorraine, Sioux Falls | $70 per team in advance

Big Lost Brewery & Meadery teams up with McCrossan Boys Ranch for a one-mile relay around Lake Lorraine using stick horses. Teams of four tackle challenge stations, obstacles and surprises along the route, with proceeds supporting at-risk youth through McCrossan Boys Ranch.

Kids Rock Custer Showcase

Saturday, June 20 • 4:30 p.m.

The Custer Beacon, Custer

The Custer Beacon hosts the final showcase from the Kids Rock Custer summer program. It is a short early-evening performance window for families and supporters of young local musicians.

American Patchwork Quartet

Saturday, June 20 • 7 p.m.

Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

American Patchwork Quartet performs at Levitt at the Falls with a sound rooted in American folk traditions and cross-cultural musical exchange. The evening also includes Alma Latina Grupo Multicultural and the Levitt Vocal Jam Camp Showcase.

Open Mic Night

Saturday, June 20 • 7 p.m.

The Custer Beacon, Custer

The Custer Beacon opens the stage for musicians and performers, with house instruments available and all players welcome. It is a low-barrier live-music night for local performers and curious listeners.

South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation Presents Dierks Bentley

Saturday, June 20 • 8:15 p.m.

Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls | Ticket prices vary

Dierks Bentley headlines the 13th annual South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation Concert, joined by Muscadine Bloodline and Elizabeth Jo. The benefit concert supports Feeding South Dakota.

Sunday, June 21

Good Earth Summer Concert Series: Landon Weis

Sunday, June 21 • 4 p.m.

Good Earth State Park at Blood Run, Sioux Falls

Landon Weis performs outdoors as part of the Good Earth Summer Concert Series. The listing notes that a food truck will be on hand, with permanent amphitheater seating available and lawn chairs or blankets encouraged.

Good Roots Farm 100 Year Birthday Bash & Solstice Celebration

Sunday, June 21 • 4:30 p.m.

Good Roots Farm, Brookings | Adult supper $5; other costs not listed

Good Roots Farm marks its 100-year-old barn with a solstice celebration featuring crafts, kids activities, goats, old-fashioned games, supper, storytelling and DJ dancing.

Brookings Area Community Band

Sunday, June 21 • 7:30 p.m.

Pioneer Park Bandshell, Brookings

The Brookings Area Community Band continues its summer season at Pioneer Park Bandshell. The long-running community band series is built for an easy Sunday night with lawn chairs, families and local music.

Sioux Falls Municipal Band Presents: Summer Solstice

Sunday, June 21 • 8 p.m.

Terrace Park, Sioux Falls | Free

The Sioux Falls Municipal Band performs its Summer Solstice program at Terrace Park. The free concert gives Sioux Falls a Sunday evening civic-band tradition in the park.

Monday, June 22

Movies on Main: A Minecraft Movie

Monday, June 22 • Movie begins at dusk

Main Street Square, Rapid City | Free

Downtown Rapid City’s Movies on Main series screens A Minecraft Movie at Main Street Square. The free outdoor movie series includes pre-movie activities and free popcorn from the Elks Theatre.

The Papas and Mamas

Monday, June 22 • 7 p.m.

Orpheum Theater Center, Sioux Falls

The Papas and Mamas bring a tribute performance to the Orpheum Theater Center on Monday night.

Tuesday, June 23

Intro to Archery

Tuesday, June 23 • 5 p.m.

Brookings

Visit Brookings lists an Intro to Archery class for Tuesday evening. Details are limited in the calendar view, but the event may interest families or beginners looking for a hands-on outdoor activity.

Live Music at Trio Jazz Club

Tuesday, June 23 • 6:30 p.m.

Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls

Trio Jazz Club has another live music listing Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Coffee & Canvases at CWC

Tuesday, June 23 • 6:30 p.m.

Brookings

Coffee & Canvases at CWC offers a Tuesday evening art activity in Brookings.

Sioux Falls Municipal Band Presents: Blazing Brass

Tuesday, June 23 • 7:30 p.m.

Dow Rummel, Sioux Falls

The Sioux Falls Municipal Band performs its Blazing Brass program at Dow Rummel. The Washington Pavilion listing confirms the program title, date, location and free admission.

Wednesday, June 24

McCrory Gardens Community Days

Wednesday, June 24 • 10 a.m.

McCrory Gardens, Brookings

McCrory Gardens hosts a Community Days event on Wednesday, with the Visit Brookings calendar listing hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is a good midweek option for garden visitors and families looking for something slower and outdoors.

Bingo at The Beacon

Wednesday, June 24 • 6:30 p.m.

The Custer Beacon, Custer

The Custer Beacon’s Wednesday bingo night runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The venue notes that bingo is cash only, with official rules and details available through its bingo page.

Black Hills Comedy Festival

Wednesday, June 24 through Saturday, June 27 • Opening show Wednesday at 7 p.m.

West River Comedy Club, Rapid City

The Black Hills Comedy Festival opens Wednesday night at West River Comedy Club with local comics and The Unrehearsables. The four-day festival includes more than 25 comics across multiple shows and venues.

“Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour

Wednesday, June 24 • Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.

The Monument, Rapid City | Ticket prices vary

“Weird Al” Yankovic brings the Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour to The Monument, with Puddles Pity Party also listed on the tour. The show is scheduled for Summit Arena in Rapid City.

Thursday, June 25

Thursday Night Live Classics Car Show

Thursday, June 25 • Car show registration at 4 p.m., music at 6 p.m.

Foundation Plaza, Watertown | Free registration

Watertown’s Thursday Night Live hosts Classics Night with car show registration beginning at 4 p.m. and music by Mogen’s Heroes from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is part of the city’s summer Thursday Night Live series at Foundation Plaza.

Sedivides 10th Anniversary Show Bigs Bar Sioux Falls SD

Tantric

Thursday, June 25 • 6 p.m.

Bigs Bar, Sioux Falls

Rock band Tantric plays Bigs Bar as part of the venue’s current events calendar. The show gives Sioux Falls a Thursday night hard-rock option before the later 7 p.m. concerts.

Downtown Aberdeen’s Summer Concert Series: 2 Weeks Notice

Thursday, June 25 • Food and beverages at 6 p.m., music at 7 p.m.

Malchow Plaza, Aberdeen | Free

Downtown Aberdeen opens its summer concert series with 2 Weeks Notice at Malchow Plaza. The free outdoor concert includes food vendors and a beer garden, with proceeds supporting local nonprofit organizations.

Joe Davis & The Poetic Diaspora

Thursday, June 25 • 7 p.m.

Levitt Shell, Sioux Falls | Free

Joe Davis & The Poetic Diaspora bring a blend of music, spoken word and community-centered performance to Levitt at the Falls. The free concert is part of Levitt’s Thursday-through-Saturday summer schedule.

Humbletown

Thursday, June 25 • 7 p.m.

The Custer Beacon, Custer

Humbletown plays The Custer Beacon with folk and bluegrass-inspired music from a South Dakota-rooted ensemble. The venue lists the show from 7 to 9 p.m.