With so many events taking place in South Dakota, we understand how it can be overwhelming to remember them all. We’ve decided to highlight our favorite things happening week by week, focusing on unique, fun, and creative events across the state.
HOT SUMMER NITES
July 18. Downtown, Sioux Falls. 5:30 p.m. Take part in this Downtown Sioux Falls summer tradition as the community gathers to admire Corvettes of all sorts and great music. Free to all ages. Hot Summer Nites will include local food and drink vendors, and will definitely give you something to talk about the next day at work. More info: dtsf.com.
BLACK HILLS CORVETTE CLASSIC
July 18-21. Beresford / Sioux Falls / Spearfish. All day. Starting its route in Beresford, the Black Hills Corvette Classic will travel from Beresford to Spearfish, with a brief stop in Sioux Falls for Hot Summer Nites. Perfect for Corvette devotees, this weekend will also include Vette Street USA, where all Corvettes will be displayed for admiration. More info: blackhillscorvetteclassic.com.
DANISH DAYS
July 19-22. Citywide, Viborg. All day. Guaranteed to be a “Dane of a day,” this local festival brings Viborg alive with a barbershop chorus, an inflatable carnival, and a mechanical bull. Get informed and get involved with the Danish culture by taking part in the Danish/Viking costume contest or the Aebleskiver eating contest, both of with highlight the customs of traditional Denmark. More info: danishdays.org.Â
JAZZFEST 2018
July 20-21. Yankton Trail Park, Sioux Falls. Times vary. Join headliners Jimmie Vaughan and Taj Mahal for the biggest jazz festival in the state. Known for its various vendors and extensive jazz lineup, this festival is free to the public and acts as a fundraiser for Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues via beverage sales. More info: siouxfallsjazzfest.com.
GOLD DISCOVERY DAYS
July 20-22. Various locations, Custer. All day. Kicking off this historical weekend is the Gold Discovery Days parade, set in place to honor the moment of gold discovery by Colonel Custer and his troops. Don’t miss out on all of the events, including the 5K Fun Run/Walk, an archery shoot, and the Arts & Crafts Fair. More info: visitcuster.com.
ENTERTAINMENT
Group Hike | July 18 | Big Sioux Recreation Area, Brandon | 5:45 p.m.
48th Annual International GRHS Convention | July 18-21 | Ramkota River Center, Pierre | Times vary.
2018 Diversity & Inclusion Summit | July 19 | Holiday Inn Sioux Falls – City Centre, Sioux Falls | 8 a.m.
41st Festival In The Park | July 20-22 | Spearfish City Park, Spearfish | Times vary.
SPORTS
Hub City Hotshots vs Spearfish Sasquatch | July 16-17 | Fossum Field, Aberdeen | 6:35 p.m.
Sioux Falls Canaries vs Winnipeg Goldeyes | July 17-19 | Sioux Falls Stadium, Sioux Falls | 7:05 p.m.
Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo | July 17-22 | Various locations, Mitchell | Times vary.
Kampeska Run Around The Lake Half Marathon – 5K-10K | July 21 | Cattail Crossings Golf Course, Watertown | 7 a.m.
GET INVOLVED
4th Annual PVA Poker Run | July 21 | The Thirsty Duck, Sioux Falls | 10 a.m.
6th Annual Cody Verdon Memorial Run | July 21 | Glacial Lakes Harley-Davidson, Watertown | 10 a.m.
MUSIC
Phinehas & Earth Groans | July 17 | Icon Lounge + Events, Sioux Falls | 6:30 p.m.
Summer Concert Series | July 17 | Riverside Park, Yankton | 8 p.m.
Canyon Acoustic Series | July 18 | Spearfish City Park, Spearfish | 6 p.m.
Concert in the Park | July 18 | Memorial Park Bandshell, Rapid City | 8 p.m.
Esme Patterson | July 18 | Total Drag Records, Sioux Falls | 7 p.m.
Def Leppard & Journey | July 18 | Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls | 7 p.m.
Thursdays on the Platz | July 19 | Ratingen Platz, Vermillion | 5:30 p.m.
Summer Porch Series | July 19 | Strawbale Winery, Renner | 5 p.m.
Thursdays on the Patio | July 19 | Dakota Brick House, Vermillion | 7 p.m.
Within the Ruins | July 19 | Bigs Sports Bar & Billiards, Sioux Falls | 6 p.m.
Chase Rice | July 19 | The District, Sioux Falls | 6 p.m.
Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills | July 20 | Performing Arts Center of Rapid City, Rapid City | 7 p.m.
Aaron Watson | July 20 | Dakota Event Center, Aberdeen | 7 p.m.
Kansas | July 20 | Deadwood Mountain Grand, Deadwood | 8 p.m.
The Native Howl | July 20 | Bigs Sports Bar & Billiards, Sioux Falls | 8 p.m.
Hills Alive Acoustic Showcase | July 20 | Main Street Square, Rapid City | 7 p.m.
Annual Heritage Music Fest | July 21 | Elk Point – Jefferson School Gym, Elk Point | 11 a.m.
Summer 2K Festival | July 21 | Bigs Sports Bar & Billiards, Sioux Falls | 3 p.m.
Hills Alive Music Festival | July 21-22 | Memorial Park, Rapid City | 12 p.m.
Deadwood Sunday Sunday Concert Series | July 22 | Corner of Deadwood Street & Main Street, Deadwood | 2 p.m.
