South Dakota
What’s going on, South Dakota? | Upcoming events & entertainment
Stay up to date with our listing of events happening 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.
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1
Friday, Dec. 26 & Saturday, Dec. 27
Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls
A soulful blend of jazz, blues, and contemporary influences shapes this engaging live performance. Expressive vocals and polished musicianship bring original material and carefully selected covers to life. The setting creates an intimate listening experience for both devoted jazz fans and casual audiences.
Friday, Dec. 26 & Saturday, Dec. 27
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls
A cherished holiday tale is presented through music, humor, and colorful stage production. The story follows a familiar character on a journey toward understanding the meaning of Christmas. Audiences can enjoy a theatrical experience that blends heart and holiday tradition.
Saturday, Dec. 27 • 7 p.m.
ICON, Sioux Falls
A cherished holiday tradition returns with crushing riffs and festive cheer for its milestone tenth year. The night blends heavy music with seasonal spirit, creating an atmosphere that welcomes longtime fans and newcomers alike. Attendees can expect powerful performances, celebratory surprises, and a community-driven vibe that captures the joy of the season.
Saturday, Dec. 27 • 8 p.m.
Club David, Sioux Falls
High-energy alternative rock and experimental sounds define this immersive live show. Driving rhythms and layered textures create a balance of intensity and melody throughout the set. The performance invites listeners into a bold and atmospheric musical experience.
Tuesday, Dec. 30 • 6:30 p.m.
Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls
Stripped-down arrangements and rich musical interplay anchor this duo’s performance, drawing from jazz, folk, and Americana influences. Storytelling and expressive musicianship take center stage in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The evening is well suited for attentive listening and connection through music.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 • 10 a.m.
Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Brookings
A festive, family-friendly celebration offers children and caregivers a creative way to welcome the end of the year. Interactive exhibits and hands-on activities encourage imagination, play, and learning. The atmosphere is designed to be joyful, engaging, and accessible for younger audiences.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 • 4 p.m.
Grey Goose Store & Social Club, Pierre
Community and connection are at the heart of this potluck-style gathering. Sharing food and conversation creates a relaxed environment where guests can reflect on the year together. The event emphasizes togetherness and simple celebration.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 • 5:30 p.m.
El Riad Shrine, Sioux Falls
An evening of live music and camaraderie sets the tone for a memorable celebration as the year comes to a close. The performance delivers heartfelt sound and high-energy moments that invite the crowd to sing along and connect. It is an ideal way to gather with friends and welcome what comes next through music and shared experience.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 • 6 p.m.
Country Road Barn, Watertown
An immersive themed experience sets the tone for an evening of music, movement, and visual atmosphere. Entertainment and creative elements combine to mark the turning of the year in a memorable way. Guests are invited to step into a shared celebration filled with energy and style.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 • 6:30 & 8:15 p.m.
Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls
Collaborative musicianship drives this jazz ensemble performance, bringing together skilled players in a dynamic group setting. Improvisation and expressive interplay highlight a range of jazz styles throughout the evening. The result is an engaging experience rooted in both tradition and creative exploration.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 • 8 p.m.
The District, Sioux Falls
A dynamic musical experience brings together two performers trading songs, styles, and playful competition throughout the night. The interactive format keeps the audience engaged with familiar favorites and spontaneous moments. It creates a lively setting that blends entertainment and participation for a memorable year-end celebration.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 • 8 p.m.
DaDa Gastropub, Sioux Falls
Step into a time-travel inspired celebration that blends past eras, future visions, and the excitement of welcoming the New Year. Music and dancing guide the journey as guests are encouraged to embrace creative costumes and immersive themes. The evening offers a festive atmosphere filled with energy, style, and celebratory touches designed to make the transition into the New Year memorable.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 • 8:30 p.m.
The Social, Sioux Falls
A lively atmosphere takes shape with music, dancing, and a crowd ready to celebrate together. The event offers an upbeat setting designed for socializing and enjoying the final moments of the year. Guests can look forward to a festive environment that encourages connection and a joyful transition into what lies ahead.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 • 11 p.m.
Murphy’s Pub & Grill, Rapid City
Lively music and social energy shape this late-night gathering as the year comes to a close. A spirited atmosphere encourages dancing, conversation, and celebration. The event offers an upbeat way to welcome the new year.
South Dakota
Retired Air Force four-star general Maryanne Miller speaks at South Dakota Mines
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Students at South Dakota Mines heard Wednesday from retired four-star general Maryanne Miller about her journey to the highest ranks of the U.S. military.
Miller is a retired four-star U.S. Air Force general. She is the only member of the Air Force Reserve ever to be promoted to this level.
She spoke about finding greatness and living a life of fulfillment. Her stories came from her time in the Air Force and as a volunteer for Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity.
“We so much get focused on what is our next step in life, what’s the next career move, how do we make ourselves better in our career, and we forget about how do we make ourselves better as a human being,” Miller said. “Because they have to go tandem. If it’s not tandem, you’re going to get off track.”
Miller was commissioned in 1981 and rose through the ranks before becoming a four-star general in 2018. She was the only woman serving as a four-star officer in the military at the time. She retired in 2020 after serving for almost 40 years.
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
USDA to offer distaster assistance to South Dakota agriculture producers impacted by winter storms
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering financial and technical assistance to South Dakota farmers and livestock producers who may have been impacted by the recent winter storms.
“I encourage impacted producers to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.” said Richard Fordyce, Production and Conservation Under Secretary.
FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can assist landowners with financial assistance to restore damaged land and conservation structures or forests.
“Our staff will work one-on-one with landowners to make assessments of the damages and develop methods that focus on effective recovery of the land.” said Jessica Michalski, Acting NRCS State Conservationist in South Dakota.
For more information about the disaster assistance program, click here.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
Plaque unveiled at South Dakota Capitol for 100-year-old Medal of Honor recipient
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, left, and Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen unveil a plaque for retired U.S. Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams in the Hall of Honor at the Capitol in Pierre on March 25, 2026. (Photo by Meghan O’Brien/South Dakota Searchlight)
PIERRE, S.D. (South Dakota Searchlight) — There’s a new name in the South Dakota Hall of Honor at the state Capitol building.
One-hundred-year-old South Dakota native and retired U.S. Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams was celebrated at a Wednesday ceremony where a plaque honoring him was unveiled, although Williams did not attend.
“In spite of being outnumbered and facing incredible danger, Captain Williams engaged the enemy with courage and skill,” said Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden. “Our state has always had a strong tradition of service, and Captain Williams is the very best of that tradition.”
President Donald Trump awarded Williams the Medal of Honor, the country’s highest military honor, at the State of the Union address earlier this year. The medal honors actions by Williams that had been classified for decades.
“His story was secret for over 50 years, he didn’t even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew and grew,” Trump said during the speech in February. “But tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves.”
On Nov. 18, 1952, over Korean coastal waters during the Korean War, then-Lt. Williams, from Wilmot, South Dakota, led three F9F Panthers against seven Soviet MiG-15s. He disabled three enemy jets and damaged a fourth.
The Soviet jets, according to the U.S. Naval Institute, were “superior to the F9F in almost every fashion.” The mission was the only direct overwater combat between U.S. Navy fighters and Soviet fighters during the Cold War.
Williams, one of 11 Medal of Honor recipients from South Dakota, now lives in California. The Hall of Honor at the South Dakota Capitol is located in the hallway that visitors enter immediately after going through security.
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