Don't Miss These Upcoming Events
Annual Mickelson Trail Summer Trek
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, June 20, 21 & 22, 2025
Participate in the 5th annual celebration of the achievement of many forward‐thinking individuals who created the now, very popular, Mickelson Trail. The 3-day bike ride covers almost the entire trail. Registration fee includes shuttle service, 6 snacks, 2 meals and 2 meal vouchers for dinner in Hill City or Custer and Deadwood. Riders can enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills as they travel through the scenic valleys, old
railroad tunnels and historic mining towns. For more information, call 605.584.3896 or visit the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks website.
Black Hills Bluegrass Festival
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, June 27, 28 & 29, 2025
The 44th Annual Black Hills Bluegrass Festival, held each year in Sturgis, will feature national touring bands, as well as, local musicians. There will be three concerts and a Sunday Morning Gospel Music Show. There will also be instrumental workshops hosted by the bands, arts & crafts vendors, and food concessionaires. For more information, call 605.348.1198 or visit blackhillsbluegrass.org.
Star Spangled Saturday Independance Day Celebration
Friday, July 4, 2025
Kick off the Fourth of July weekend by joining locals for a 10:00 am parade on Main Street, Hill City where Old Glory will be flying and a hometown holiday spirit is celebrated. Start your day with breakfast at the Senior Center from 8:00 to 10:00 am; watch the festive and patriotic parade; explore our crafts fair and find treasures throughout town; enjoy local cuisine from our restaurants and food trucks and conclude your day with an old-fashioned Ice Cream & Pie Social with music at the Visitor Information Center. Family friendly! For more information call 605.574.2368 or visit VisitHillCitySD.com.
Days of '76 Rodeo & Parade
Sunday - Saturday, July 20 - 26, 2025
The Days of '76 Rodeo is a local jewel that is nationally recognized, a fan-favorite, and a source of local pride. The Deadwood event is held over five days in late July plus features free parades on its historic Main Street on Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 605.578.1876 or visit daysof76.com.
85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Friday - Sunday, August 1 - 10, 2025
The small Northern Hills town of Sturgis will expand exponentially as it welcomes 450,000+ motorcycle enthusiasts for its 85th rally. Established in the 1930s, it's a 10-day party and festival like no other with, naturally, gleaming "iron horses" taking center stage. Many of these exotic machines are simply works of art and not to be missed! Whether you are a proud bike owner or not, you'll enjoy the sights and sounds: races, shopping (including over temporary 800 vendors), world-class entertainment, and very colorful people. B.Y.O.L. (Bring Your Own Leather)! For more information, visit sturgismotorcyclerally.com.
Central States Fair & Rodeo
Friday - Saturday, August 15 - 23, 2025
Are you hankerin' for a little Midwest fun and excitement? This is the biggest South Dakota fair west of the Missouri River and it takes place in Rapid City at the Central States Fairgrounds. You can spend your day sampling delicious food and checking out carnival rides and exhibits for all ages before capping off each night with a demolition derby, rodeo, or concerts by great country music acts. The fair also features children's entertainment, regional music, a magic show, and pig wrestling. For more information, call 605.355.3861 or visit centralstatesfair.com.
Hill City Quilt Show & Sale
Saturday & Sunday, September 6 & 7, 2025
Check out the local quilting talent at this popular show offering a featured artist, special events, prizes, demonstrations, a vendor mall, youth fiber arts activity, and more than 200 quilts that each have a story to tell. This is your opportunity to view these unique quilts that are located along Main Street and continued at the Hill City School Gyms. For more information visit www.hillcityarts.org/quilt-show or contact the Heart of the Hills Quilt Guild.
27th Annual Mickelson Trail Trek
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September 19, 20, & 21, 2025
Over a three-day span bicyclists will be complete the length of the Mickelson Trail. The ride begins in Edgemont, in the Southern Hills and travels the same historic path as General George A. Custer, Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Potato Creek Johnny to a finish in the Northern Hills at the Deadwood Trailhead. For more information visit the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks website or call 605.584.3896
60th Annual Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival
Friday & Saturday, September 26 & 27 2025
This exciting three-day event in Custer State Park begins with lots of festivities featuring food, entertainment, and art booths on the grounds surrounding the State Game Lodge. But, a true highlight is the annual buffalo roundup on Friday. Thrill to sound of thousands of hooves thundering over and through the hills as cowboys and cowgirls bring in the herd. It is a not-to-be missed experience! For more information, visit the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks website.
Crazy Horse Fall Volksmarch
Sunday, September 28, 2025
This autumn hike is held the same weekend as the Custer State Park Buffalo Round-Up. It affords the public a second chance this year to walk up the world’s largest mountain carving in progress. For more information, call 605.673.4681.
Black Hills Film Festival
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 3, 4 & 5, 2025
This popular celluloid festival that began in Hill City, is now in its 16th year and features screenings, workshops, seminars, and guest presentations, at venues around the Black Hills. The festival includes South Dakota-produced films, motion pictures shot on location in our state, plus additional national and international entries. Don't miss this opportunity to view exciting new films that help create our own "Hollywood in the Hills!" For more information, visit blackhillsfilmfestival.org.
Run Crazy Horse Marathon, Half Marathon, & Half Marathon Relay
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Run Crazy Horse Marathon will follow a course from Crazy Horse Memorial to an exciting finish on Main Street, Hill City. For more information, visit runcrazyhorse.com.
Black Hills Powwow or He Sapa Wacipi
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 10, 11, & 12, 2025
Experience the proud heritage of Native American dancers & drum groups as Lakota, Nakota, & Dakota nations gather. Enjoy the grand entrance, drum groups, & dance competitions in this annual three-day event held at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City. For more information, visit: blackhillspowwow.com.
Dickens Festival & Olde Tyme Christmas Parade
Friday, November 28, 2025
Festivities begin with holiday sales and free refreshments throughout the Hill City's Main Street businesses. At 5:00 pm enjoy music, the offical lighting of the town Christmas tree, and roasted chestnuts in front of the historic Alpine Inn. And at 6:00 pm, an illuminated parade will add sparkle up and down Main Street ending with a visit from Santa Claus who, in the European tradition, will be dispensing bright red apples at the Olde World Plaza. For more information, call 605.574.2368.
Olde Tyme Christmas & Holiday Festivities in Hill City
Saturday, November 29 through Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Our little mountain town is positively magical at Christmastime! Main Street is bright with holiday lights, the hot chocolate at Turtle Town is warm and inviting, and the massive Christmas tree outside the Old World Alpine Inn is breathtaking! Catch a ride on one of the special Holiday Expresses departing from the 1880 Train depot for an opportunity to meet Santa at the North Pole. And his elves will not disappoint, providing hot chocolate and cookies along the route. Enjoy an enchanting drive through the Lane of Lights. Don't miss these and many other happenings throughout the holiday season in enchanting Hill City! For more information, call 605.574.2368.
