--- title: Upcoming Holiday Events date: 2021-11-18T15:20:24-06:00 author: Matt Barthel canonical_url: "https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/articles/upcoming-holiday-events" section: Articles --- ![WWL](https://d3bs6yihjcg6lz.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/WWL_2021-11-18-212133_ssdl.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=550&h=241&q=98&f=webp&c=87535c1f&v=33a66c1c466e469d961b9bb3ed2d7f4ce208ac01178b58867c425b707e80c28a) # Upcoming Holiday Events The holiday season is upon us! Mark your calendars for these amazing upcoming events to get you in the holiday spirit. ### [Santa Photos](https://www.simon.com/mall/the-empire-mall/stores/santa-photo-experience/stream/santa-photos-6289064) The ultimate holiday tradition awaits. And Santa is making a list and checking it twice – so reserve your photos with Santa today! Santa arrives at The Empire Mall on November 14 and will be there through December 24. Book early to ensure your spot to see Santa. ### [Winter Wonderland](/winter-wonderland) Winter Wonderland at Falls Park runs November 20 through January 3. The 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. ### [34th Annual Parade of Lights](https://dtsf.com/event/2026-parade-of-lights/) Kick off the holiday season in dazzling style on November 27 at the 34th Annual Parade of Lights, a cherished Downtown Sioux Falls tradition! Gather with friends and family along Phillips Avenue to watch beautifully lit floats, festive music, and holiday magic light up the night. ### [Steve Payne and Friends: Home for the Holidays](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/steve-payne-and-friends-home-for-the-holidays/) Steve Payne and Friends: Home for the Holidays is a locally produced live music experience on November 28 at the Washington Pavilion featuring classic hits, contemporary favorites, and timeless holiday tunes. Hosted by local guitarist Steve Payne, this one-night-only performance is the perfect way to kick off your holiday season. ### [Christmas with Lorie Line](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/lorie-line-christmas-concert/) The Queen of the Piano returns to the stage once again this holiday season on November 29 at the Washington Pavilion bringing good news and joy with her concert grand piano. Ms. Line will share all the favorite hits of her Christmas career and tell sentimental stories that delight in the season. ### [NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/nutcracker-magical-christmas-ballet-2/) Experience the largest Nutcracker production in North America on December 2 at the Washington Pavilion — a breathtaking holiday spectacle featuring world-class international dancers, gravity-defying acrobatics, magnificent costumes, and towering puppets. ### [Holiday for Fiddlers](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/holiday-for-fiddlers-live-on-stage/) The Holiday for Fiddlers will be joining Live On Stage Sioux Falls on December 3 at the Washington Pavilion to feature prominently much of the original music creations from the years of Acoustic Christmas concerts. ### [An Irish Christmas with Rend Collective](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/an-irish-christmas-rend-collective-presented-by-thrivent/) Rend Collective brings an evening of Irish Christmas celebration to the Washington Pavilion on December 4 for timeless songs of the season, beloved anthems and the joy and warmth this band is known for. ### [Blue Violin’s Retro Rock & Roll Christmas](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/blue-violins-retro-rock-roll-christmas/) Internationally touring violin sensation Blue Violin returns with the 4th Annual Retro Rock & Roll Christmas Tour — an electrifying holiday spectacular blending the energy of an ’80s arena rock show with the magic of Christmas on December 4 at the Washington Pavilion, featuring a live rock band, soaring choir, breathtaking cathedral projection mapping and unforgettable violin performances. ### [South Dakota Symphony Orchestra: Handel's Messiah](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/handels-messiah-sdso/) The greatest story ever told. 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, December 4-5. ### [605 Made Holiday Market](https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/events/605-made-holiday-market-2) Shop local at a holiday market unlike any other! The 605 Made Holiday Market transforms an underground parking ramp at Cherapa Place in downtown Sioux Falls into a free pop-up shop filled with merchandise from local makers on December 5. ### [Downtown Christmas Market](https://dtsf.com/event/downtown-christmas-market/) Get ready for the new, Downtown Christmas Market, modeled after traditional European Christmas markets, on December 5, at Cherapa Place Plaza. This festive outdoor gathering will include Christmas carolers and festive entertainment, seasonal food and beverages, Santa appearances and photo opportunities, downtown retailers showcasing their holiday offerings, and family-friendly winter holiday activities. ### [Holiday Trees at Good Earth State Park](https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/events/holiday-trees-at-good-earth-state-park) Enjoy an festive evening at Good Earth State Park on December 5 filled with holiday trees displayed in the visitor center. The night also includes live music, light refreshments and Santa! ### [Shaun Johnson: Run, Run Rudolph Tour](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/shaun-johnson-christmas-concert/) Led by Emmy® Award winner Shaun Johnson, longtime frontman of Tonic Sol-fa, this show blends classic big band swing with holiday standards and seasonal favorites, delivered through tight arrangements and a modern stage presentation, held on December 5 at the Washington Pavilion. ### [A Prairie Christmas Under the Stars - With Jeff Gould](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/a-prairie-christmas-under-the-stars-with-jeff-gould/) A Prairie Christmas Under the Stars is a live trip through time to recreate what the heavens were like on the astonishing night Christ was born. The event will be held on December 6 & 13 at the Washington Pavilion and will feature live music from pianist Libby Gould, and professional cellist Carolina Rodriguez de Armas. ### [Lindsey Sterling - The Snow Waltz Tour](https://www.dennysanfordpremiercenter.com/event/lindsey-stirling-the-snow-waltz-tour/tm_vv1akzkf4gkenxhu4/) Lindsey Sterling brings her Snow Waltz Tour to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center on December 8 this holiday season. ### [Elf: The Musical](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/elf-the-musical/) Presented by The Good Night Theatre Collective, this performance, held December 10-13 at the Washington Pavilion, is the musical adaptation of the hit movie comedy, presented locally in its full original Broadway form in Sioux Falls… it’s Elf: The Musical! ### [30th Annual Christmas at the Cathedral](https://ccfesd.org/events/christmas-at-the-cathedral/) Enjoy beautiful music and moving storytelling inside the breathtaking and historical Cathedral of St. Joseph as we celebrate the hope and joy of God’s incarnation like never before at this truly one-of-a-kind performance, held December 10-13. Experience the Christmas story brought to life through inspiring performances and an incredible choir and orchestra. ### [18th Annual Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/holiday-jam-hegg-brothers/) For the 18th consecutive year, Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers returns to the Washington Pavilion on December 11 for an unforgettable night of music and holiday cheer. ### [Cookies with Santa](https://www.simon.com/mall/the-empire-mall/stores/santa-photo-experience/stream/cookies-with-santa-6289070) Bring the family for holiday fun at our Cookies with Santa event! Enjoy complimentary cookies, festive crafts, games, and more on December 12 at The Empire Mall. ### [Christmas with the Symphony: 'Tis the Season!](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/christmas-symphony-sdso/) Bring your family and friends for this holiday tradition of heartwarming and jovial Christmas classics at the Washington Pavilion, December 12-13. Returning is soprano Meredith Lustig, who made her first appearance with the SDSO as Beret Hansa in the opera revival, “Giants in the Earth”. Meredith’s breathtaking vocals, the power of the South Dakota Symphony Chorus and your holiday favorites plus a sing-along are sure to light up your Christmas spirit! ### [Prince of Peace: The Christmas Story](https://www.siouxfallsorpheum.com/event/prince-of-peace-the-christmas-story-2/) Audiences are taken back to the first century to view into the time of the birth of Christ and the world as it was then. This telling of the Christmas story is relevant and rich, giving us the backstory and context of the coming of the Messiah. Many of your favorite Christmas songs are crafted seamlessly into the fabric of the story alongside thought-provoking and soul-stirring originals. Held December 12-13 and 17-20 at the Orpheum Theater Center. ### [A Christmas Story, The Musical](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/a-christmas-story/) Celebrate the holidays with A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL at the Washington Pavilion, December 18–20. Based on the beloved holiday film, this heartwarming Broadway musical brings Ralphie Parker’s unforgettable Christmas wish to life on stage with humor, nostalgia and festive fun for the whole family. ### [Levitt UpClose – A Very Jazzy Christmas](https://www.levittsiouxfalls.org/event/a-very-jazzy-christmas/) Join us for our first holiday Levitt UpClose performance in the DSU Community Room within the new indoor Sweetman Atrium, with local favorite – the Fellowship Jazz Center Orchestra featuring globally acclaimed vocalist Andrea Ross on December 19. ### [Matthew Mayer: A Christmas Piano Miracle – Live in Concert!](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/matthew-mayer-a-christmas-piano-miracle-live-in-concert/) South Dakota-born #1 Billboard Charting pianist Matthew Mayer comes home for an unforgettable night of music, stories and Christmas Joy at the historic Washington Pavilion on December 22. ### [Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration LIVE!](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/jim-brickman/) Make the holidays last a little longer with an unforgettable evening of music from Jim Brickman on Dec. 26 at the Washington Pavilion.Known for his signature piano style and heartfelt performances, Jim Brickman has become one of America’s most beloved instrumental artists. His holiday concerts blend cherished seasonal favorites, timeless originals and inspiring stories that capture the warmth, joy and hope of the season. ### [Mannheim Steamroller Christmas](https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/mannheim-steamroller-christmas/) MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for over 40 years! Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound. This performance will be held December 29 at the Washington Pavilion. ### [Ice Skating at Jacobson Plaza](https://www.explorethefalls.org/parks-paths/jacobson-plaza/ribbon/ice-skate) Glide across the ice in a perfect holiday setting at Jacobson Plaza. Afterwards, warm up at The Lodge with a cup of hot cocoa. Skate rentals available onsite. ### [Holiday Lights](https://dakotaholidays.com/) 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. [View a list of themed neighborhoods](https://dakotaholidays.com/). ## Looking for More? See our full calendar for more holiday events and activities to fill your weekends. [View Calendar](https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/events)