Are you in need of some holiday cheer? South Dakota Christmas towns offer just that, with plenty of festivities and displays to brighten your holiday. Whether it be an annual parade, a historic trolley ride, or a magnificent light display, these towns have something for everyone. Make your South Dakota Christmas merry and bright this year! Here are the best Christmas towns in South Dakota to experience the magic of the holiday season.
- Brookings
Downtown Brookings / Facebook
Downtown Brookings / Facebook The first on our list of the best Christmas towns in South Dakota is Brookings. The legendary Festival of Lights in Brookings will be held downtown in early December. Watch the dazzling, creative Christmas parade floats make their down Main Avenue and vote for your favorite. If you arrive a couple of hours early, you can enjoy a trolley ride in the historic downtown. Brookings, SD 57006, USA
- Pierre
Christmas at the Capitol / Facebook
Jake DeGroot/Wikimedia Commons Visit the Capitol building in Pierre anytime between late November and early January. There are close to 100 festively decorated trees to enjoy. This enchanting Christmas tree display in SD is one you won’t want to miss. Pierre, SD 57501, USA
- Custer
Custer, SD / Facebook
Custer, SD / Facebook Welcome the season with the Custer Christmas parade in SD that takes place in early December. After you vote for your favorite float, head over to Way Park, located at the corner of Mt. Rushmore Road and 4th Street, for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Santa and Mrs. Claus may even make an appearance! Custer, SD 57730, USA
- Deadwood
Historic Deadwood / Facebook
Historic Deadwood / Facebook This historic mining town is ready for Christmas, and just like the previous years, their lights and displays are nothing short of spectacular. Visit Deadwood’s annual Holiday Open House at the Days of ’76 Museum for delicious Christmas treats, exciting children’s activities, and more. This is one of the best places to spend Christmas in South Dakota! Deadwood, SD 57732, USA
- Huron
Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau/Facebook
xmith xmith / Flickr Each year, this small town is filled with plenty of holiday cheer. Huron is known for its Christmas Lanes, a tradition since 1862. Today, over 40 lanes participate with magical holiday displays and twinkling lights. Grab your hot chocolate, hop in the car, and vote on your favorite decorated home. Don’t miss their Parade of Lights, held annually the Friday after Thanksgiving. Christmas in South Dakota has never been so much fun. Huron, SD 57350, USA
- Spearfish
Visit Spearfish / Facebook
Zonta Club of Spearfish / Facebook Zonta Festival of Trees is a fundraiser in support of women and children that takes place every year in Spearfish. The trees featured in this magical festival are decorated by community members and volunteers who dedicate their time and talents each year. The annual festival of trees will take place starting in early December at Spearfish Park Pavilion. If you’re looking for things to do at Christmas in South Dakota, this is a great event! Spearfish, SD, USA
- Brandon
Christmas in Brandon / Facebook Brandon is home to one of the largest animated Christmas light displays in SD, with more than 600 controllable channels of animation and nearly 100,000 lights. The magical display begins Thanksgiving night and runs until New Year’s Day. Tune in to 93.1 FM and watch the lights dazzle to the music. 120 W Conifer St, Brandon, SD 57005, USA
- Rapid City
Downtown Rapid City / Facebook Rapid City, SD, USA
Downtown Rapid City / Facebook The last entry on our list of the best Christmas towns in South Dakota is Rapid City, a must-see during the holiday season. Explore the beautifully lit downtown, get some Christmas shopping done, and join the other ice skaters at Main Street Square. This town (okay, city) is absolutely festive and magical, so you won’t want to leave your camera at home. You can also head to Storybook Island which is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Christmas in Rapid City SD is super special - come see it for yourself! Rapid City, SD, USA
There are so many delightful South Dakota Christmas events that we can’t list them all here. If we left out your favorite, we would love to hear about it! What do you think are the best Christmas towns in South Dakota? Tell us in the comments!
Downtown Brookings / Facebook
The first on our list of the best Christmas towns in South Dakota is Brookings. The legendary Festival of Lights in Brookings will be held downtown in early December. Watch the dazzling, creative Christmas parade floats make their down Main Avenue and vote for your favorite. If you arrive a couple of hours early, you can enjoy a trolley ride in the historic downtown.
Brookings, SD 57006, USA
Christmas at the Capitol / Facebook
Jake DeGroot/Wikimedia Commons
Visit the Capitol building in Pierre anytime between late November and early January. There are close to 100 festively decorated trees to enjoy. This enchanting Christmas tree display in SD is one you won’t want to miss.
Pierre, SD 57501, USA
Custer, SD / Facebook
Custer, SD / Facebook
Welcome the season with the Custer Christmas parade in SD that takes place in early December. After you vote for your favorite float, head over to Way Park, located at the corner of Mt. Rushmore Road and 4th Street, for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Santa and Mrs. Claus may even make an appearance!
Custer, SD 57730, USA
Historic Deadwood / Facebook
This historic mining town is ready for Christmas, and just like the previous years, their lights and displays are nothing short of spectacular. Visit Deadwood’s annual Holiday Open House at the Days of ’76 Museum for delicious Christmas treats, exciting children’s activities, and more. This is one of the best places to spend Christmas in South Dakota!
Deadwood, SD 57732, USA
Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau/Facebook
xmith xmith / Flickr
Each year, this small town is filled with plenty of holiday cheer. Huron is known for its Christmas Lanes, a tradition since 1862. Today, over 40 lanes participate with magical holiday displays and twinkling lights. Grab your hot chocolate, hop in the car, and vote on your favorite decorated home. Don’t miss their Parade of Lights, held annually the Friday after Thanksgiving. Christmas in South Dakota has never been so much fun.
Huron, SD 57350, USA
Visit Spearfish / Facebook
Zonta Club of Spearfish / Facebook
Zonta Festival of Trees is a fundraiser in support of women and children that takes place every year in Spearfish. The trees featured in this magical festival are decorated by community members and volunteers who dedicate their time and talents each year. The annual festival of trees will take place starting in early December at Spearfish Park Pavilion. If you’re looking for things to do at Christmas in South Dakota, this is a great event!
Spearfish, SD, USA
Christmas in Brandon / Facebook
Brandon is home to one of the largest animated Christmas light displays in SD, with more than 600 controllable channels of animation and nearly 100,000 lights. The magical display begins Thanksgiving night and runs until New Year’s Day. Tune in to 93.1 FM and watch the lights dazzle to the music.
120 W Conifer St, Brandon, SD 57005, USA
Downtown Rapid City / Facebook
Rapid City, SD, USA
The last entry on our list of the best Christmas towns in South Dakota is Rapid City, a must-see during the holiday season. Explore the beautifully lit downtown, get some Christmas shopping done, and join the other ice skaters at Main Street Square. This town (okay, city) is absolutely festive and magical, so you won’t want to leave your camera at home. You can also head to Storybook Island which is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Christmas in Rapid City SD is super special - come see it for yourself!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Towns In South Dakota November 24, 2021 Melissa M. What are the best holiday light displays in South Dakota? To find the best holiday lights in the state, read our post on 11 Christmas Displays In South Dakota That Are Pure Magic. In no time, you’ll be making plans to see Storybook Island’s Christmas Nights of Light, the Festival of Trees at the Historic Homestake Opera House, Winter Wonderland at Falls Park, and more! Are there any drive-thru Christmas light displays in South Dakota? Yes! There’s Watertown Winter Wonderland which is held at Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park and has thousands of lights and plenty of displays to help make your season merry and bright! Are there any botanical gardens or zoos that have lights or holiday events during the Christmas season in South Dakota? In early December, the Great Plains Zoo hosts a Santa at the Zoo event when children can have a one-on-one with the jolly old elf himself! Bramble Park Zoo hosts breakfast with Santa which is so much fun for kids and adults alike. McCrory Gardens hosts its annual Garden Glow from early December through early January. It’s an event you shouldn’t miss!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Towns In South Dakota
November 24, 2021
Melissa M.
What are the best holiday light displays in South Dakota? To find the best holiday lights in the state, read our post on 11 Christmas Displays In South Dakota That Are Pure Magic. In no time, you’ll be making plans to see Storybook Island’s Christmas Nights of Light, the Festival of Trees at the Historic Homestake Opera House, Winter Wonderland at Falls Park, and more! Are there any drive-thru Christmas light displays in South Dakota? Yes! There’s Watertown Winter Wonderland which is held at Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park and has thousands of lights and plenty of displays to help make your season merry and bright! Are there any botanical gardens or zoos that have lights or holiday events during the Christmas season in South Dakota? In early December, the Great Plains Zoo hosts a Santa at the Zoo event when children can have a one-on-one with the jolly old elf himself! Bramble Park Zoo hosts breakfast with Santa which is so much fun for kids and adults alike. McCrory Gardens hosts its annual Garden Glow from early December through early January. It’s an event you shouldn’t miss!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
To find the best holiday lights in the state, read our post on 11 Christmas Displays In South Dakota That Are Pure Magic. In no time, you’ll be making plans to see Storybook Island’s Christmas Nights of Light, the Festival of Trees at the Historic Homestake Opera House, Winter Wonderland at Falls Park, and more!
Are there any drive-thru Christmas light displays in South Dakota?
Yes! There’s Watertown Winter Wonderland which is held at Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park and has thousands of lights and plenty of displays to help make your season merry and bright!
Are there any botanical gardens or zoos that have lights or holiday events during the Christmas season in South Dakota?
In early December, the Great Plains Zoo hosts a Santa at the Zoo event when children can have a one-on-one with the jolly old elf himself! Bramble Park Zoo hosts breakfast with Santa which is so much fun for kids and adults alike. McCrory Gardens hosts its annual Garden Glow from early December through early January. It’s an event you shouldn’t miss!
