Black Hills & Badlands: a hotspot for summer festivals & events | Black Hills Travel Blog

Black Hills & Badlands: a hotspot for summer festivals & events

  • Black Hills & Badlands: a hotspot for summer festivals & events
    Black Hills & Badlands: a hotspot for summer festivals & events
Updated: 
Friday, May 26, 2023
By : 
Alyssa

Try something new: The Black Hills & Badlands region is known for many things including spectacular views, iconic monuments, and an outrageously awesome outdoor scene. But did you know that this hotspot of summer fun is also a hidden gem of festivals and summer events? We're not kidding when we say that these should be at the top of any itinerary! If this is your first time visiting, or your twentieth, there’s always something new to explore. 

Check out the lively street festivals and Wild West rodeo action that make the Black Hills and Badlands the perfect go-to destination all summer long!

June Events

Spring Volksmarch at Crazy Horse Memorial®
Saturday, June 3, 2023

The Crazy Horse Volksmarch is a bi-annual organized hike that covers 10K or 6.2 miles of woodlands terrain in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota.

Black Hills Renaissance Fair
Saturday, June 10, 2023 to Sunday, June 11, 2023

Welcome to the Black Hills Renaissance Festival, brave souls! Journey back in time to the glory days of knights, kings, and lords. Our Festival is a fantastical journey that brings to life the era of the Renaissance with a Fantasy Flair!

Find Your Park Festival
Saturday, June 10, 2023

Come and join the community for the annual Find Your Park Festival at Main Street Square in Downtown Rapid City to celebrate public parks and outdoor activities. The festival aims to raise awareness about the different parks and organizations in the area that promote outdoor activities.

42nd Annual Black Hills Bluegrass Festival
Friday, June 23, 2023 to Sunday, June 25, 2023

Join us at the Rush No More Resort & Campground, located off I-90, Exit 37, near Sturgis, SD. Shows are held RAIN OR SHINE in a lovely outdoor concert area with a large building we'll use  for concerts as well as a couple of indoor spaces available for jamming in case of rain.

Annual Black Hills Roundup
Friday, June 30, 2023 to Tuesday, July 4, 2023

The Black Hills Roundup Rodeo in Belle Fourche is one of the oldest continuously held outdoor rodeos in the USA.

July Events

Gold Camp Jubilee Days
Sunday, July 2, 2023 to Tuesday, July 4, 2023

In 1926 Homestake Mining Company threw a party to celebrate 50 years of mining called the Golden Jubilee. In memory of that amazing event we now organize the Gold Camp Jubilee. This festival celebrates our iconic golden history of mining, and our amazing community.

Neutrino Day - Where Science and Fun Collide
Saturday, July 8, 2023

Neutrino Day is Sanford Underground Research Facility’s free, citywide science festival. Join us for hoistroom tours, science activities and exhibits for all ages, live video chats with scientists underground, and engaging talks about the research happening beneath your feet.

Black Hills Corvette Classic
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 to Saturday, July 15, 2023

The Black Hills Corvette Classic (BHCC) is the longest-running Corvette event in the nation.

Custer Gold Discovery Days
Friday, July 21, 2023 to Sunday, July 23, 2023

Join us for the 100th annual Gold Discovery Days Celebration in Custer!

August Events

83rd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Friday, August 4, 2023 (All day) to Sunday, August 13, 2023 (All day)

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, SD, usually during the first full week of August.

Central States Fair & Rodeo
Friday, August 18, 2023 (All day) to Saturday, August 26, 2023 (All day)

Join us at Central States Fair and Rodeo, one of the largest and most popular events in South Dakota.

Hugh Glass Rendezvous Lemmon, SD
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 to Monday, August 28, 2023

Join us for the 9th Annual Hugh Glass Rendezvous on August 22-28, 2023 in Lemmon, SD as we remember the amazing story of Hugh Glass and his trek back to civilization 200 years later.

Fall River Hot Air Balloon Festival
Friday, August 25, 2023 to Sunday, August 27, 2023

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 - Centennial Park

Our Festival kicks off in Centennial Park at Noon on Friday, August 25!  There will be vendors, food, Farmer’s Market and Kid activities in Centennial Park, ending with a free concert from 6.30 – 8:30 pm.

Noon – 8:00 pm         Vendor Market

The fun doesn’t end here- for a full setlist of festivals and events in the Black Hills and Badlands, visit our Events Calendar.

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