Upcoming Holiday Events

The holiday season is upon us! Mark your calendars for these amazing upcoming events to get you in the holiday spirit.

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland runs November 21 through January 5! Falls Park will be lit up each night with hundreds of thousands of lights and decorations. This is a can’t-miss when it comes to events to include during your holiday season.

Holiday Lights

Nothing screams the holiday season quite like checking out the many beautifully decorated homes and neighborhoods in Sioux Falls. Enjoy holiday themed lanes such as Polar Bear Lane, Santa Claus Lane, Candy Cane Lane and much more.

Ice Skating at Jacobson Plaza

The ice ribbon at Jacobson Plaza in Downtown Sioux Falls is open for the season! Rent a pair of skates in the warming house or bring your own pair and glide across the ice as you take in the holiday sights.

Photos with Santa

Get your photo taken with Santa at The Empire Mall every day through December 24.

MarketBeat Holiday Plaza

The 50-foot Christmas tree that had been in front of the Washington Pavilion for the last few years during the holiday season is moving to the 10th Street Mural Plaza for this season's MarketBeat Holiday Plaza. See the tree light up for the first time on November 28, and stay tuned for upcoming holiday programming that will take place at the Plaza.

Parade of Lights

The 33rd Annual Parade of Lights will be held November 28 on Phillips Avenue in Downtown Sioux Falls. See the beautifully lit floats and entertainment has become a favorite holiday tradition for both locals and visitors alike.

A Live Conversation with Chevy Chase

Join for an unforgettable evening of holiday cheer and laughs on November 29 to celebrate the timeless classic, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, with a special screening of the film followed by a live conversation and Q&A with Chevy Chase, and his wife Jayni.

Christmas with C.S. Lewis

In the early years of his young adult life C.S. Lewis believed the story of Christ’s birth was nothing more than feel-good myth. That all changed after a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J.R.R. Tolkien. Taking place November 29-30 at the Washington Pavilion.

Prince of Peace: The Christmas Story

Prince of Peace: The Christmas Story – Returning for its 4th season, tells the Christmas story with many of your favorite Christmas songs crafted seamlessly into the fabric of the story alongside thought provoking and soul-stirring originals. Multiple performances will take place November 29-30, December 5-7, and 12-14.

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

Experience the wonder of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet on December 2. Treat your loved ones to America’s favorite holiday tradition, featuring and international all-star cast. Marvel at breathtaking ballet, whimsical puppets, dazzling costumes and jaw-dropping acrobatics.

Holiday for Fiddlers

Holiday for Fiddlers brings Kenny Putnam and Tom Schaefer together with an all-star support band and some long-time performers with the Acoustic Christmas series to the Washington Pavilion on December 4. Friends in college, the fiddlers have taken different performance paths through life and reunite with a holiday flavor to the instrumental harmonies they blend on stage.

Cocoa Strolls

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Winter Wonderland while sipping hot cocoa from The Lodge. Meet at the Jacobson Plaza warming house. The strolls will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 9, 18, and 23. The events are free, but reservations are required.

Candy Cane Hunt

On December 5, hunt for paper candy cane letter cutouts scattered throughout Jacobson Plaza, Lloyd Landing, and the Falls. Unscramble the letters to reveal the secret holiday phrase, then return your card to the warming house to receive a goodie bag and enter to win a prize. Registration required.

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra: Handel's Messiah

The most majestic music ever composed. A commentary on Christ’s Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension, experienced in Handel’s “Messiah”-featuring the inspiring Hallelujah Chorus-in the glory of First Lutheran Church with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, taking place December 5-6.

Annual Augustana Christmas Vespers

Augustana proudly presents Christmas Vespers, "O Come Let Us Adore Him" December 5-6 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. The services will feature Augustana’s choirs, percussion ensemble and the Augustana Brass Choir.

Santa at the Zoo

Visit Santa Claus - and your favorite animals - at the Great Plains Zoo on December 6. Keep your eyes peeled and your head on a swivel because there's rumblings that the Mean One might make a surprise appearance! Get up close with some amazing ambassador animals during special meet and greets in the lobby. Kids can also get creative at our craft station, where they'll have the opportunity to write and hand-deliver their own letter to Santa!

Santa at the Washington Pavilion

Santa will also be making a stop at the Washington Pavilion on December 6, 13, and 20 where you can take your photo with him and tell him your wish list.

605 Made Holiday Market

Get ready for six hours of one-of-a-kind holiday shopping for one day only on December 6! This free annual event transforms a parking garage into a pop-up shop of locally-made merchandise perfect for holiday gifting.

Holiday Tree Event

Wander through the holiday trees set up inside the Good Earth visitor center on December 6. Santa Clause and live music will put you in the holiday spirit!

Tonic Sol-fa with Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience

Due to the overwhelming demand for “One last holiday show,” Emmy-winning vocal quartet Tonic Sol-fa will take their final Christmastime bow with the “Wrap it Up” 2025 Holiday Tour, which includes a December 6 performance at the Washington Pavilion. Beloved for their fresh takes on seasonal classics and original holiday hits, Tonic Sol-fa’s yuletide farewell promises to be both a celebration and a send-off worthy of their storied career.

Mini Holiday Market

Lloyd Landing and Jacobson Plaza will feature local vendors and handmade goods from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 6-7.

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting Great Shots on December 8 where you can meet them and enjoy a hot chocolate station, holiday activities, and cookie decorating.

Blue Violin Candlelight Christmas Extravaganza

Back by popular demand, Blue Violin’s Candlelight Christmas Tour returns for its third spectacular year — bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever before. This one-of-a-kind holiday concert experience on December 9 at the Washington Pavilion blends the beauty of traditional carols with high-octane rock anthems, cinematic classical reimaginings, and heartwarming favorites — all brought to life in glowing candlelight, with a dazzling stage set and immersive light show.

A Holiday Evening at the Pettigrew Home & Museum

On December 11, enjoy an open house of the Pettigrew Home decorated for the holiday season, music, horse-drawn wagon rides, and snacks. Admission is free!

Christmas with Lorie Line

Lorie Line returns to the stage on December 12 as a solo pianist and celebrates the Christmas season with faith-filled stories and the best-of-the-best holiday music.

Holiday at Butterfly House & Aquarium

Make your way to Butterfly House & Aquarium on December 13 for a gingerbread-themed Holiday at BHA! Kick up that holiday cheer and snap a photo in front of our festive gingerbread backdrop, get creative with gingerbread-inspired sticker crafts, and enjoy a sweet seasonal snack while you relax with holiday movie classics.

Christmas with the Symphony: 'Tis the Season

Gather family and friends and celebrate the sounds of the season with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Chorus December 13-14. Tenor Ben Gulley brings his powerful, versatile voice to all your holiday favorites. The annual sing-along rings through the hall and our hearts.

Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Bring the kids to the Old Courthouse Museum on Sunday, December 14th for Storytime with Santa & Mrs. Claus! Kids can get their picture with Santa and hear a story from Mrs. Claus. Stories begin every half hour from 1-3 p.m. Admission is free!

Matthew Mayer in Concert – Holiday and Dreams

#1 Billboard Charting Artist and South Dakota born, Matthew Mayer, performs an intimate evening of solo piano music on December 18 at the Orpheum Theater Center. Do not miss this fun and engaging evening of storytelling and piano playing (including Holiday favorites) from Two-Time Telly Award Winning, Matthew Mayer.

29th Annual Christmas at the Cathedral

Enjoy beautiful music and moving storytelling inside the breathtaking and historical Cathedral of St. Joseph and celebrate the hope and joy of God’s incarnation like never before at this truly one-of-a-kind performance, taking place December 18-21.

Irving Berlin's White Christmas

The Good Night Theatre Collective Presents Irving Berlin's White Christmas December 18-21 at the Orpheum Theater Center. These performances will bring you back into the classics catalog of musicals, featuring some of the most iconic tunes in movie musicals.

Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers

Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers is back to bring fresh takes on holiday classics old and new. Taking place December 19 at the Washington Pavilion.

Candlelight Christmas: Carols on Strings

Listen to all your favorite holiday songs in this Candlelight performance on December 20 at The Social.

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

This musical features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” (written by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss) from the original animated series. Performances taking place December 23-27.