This fall, see all the color and wonder the Black Hills and Badlands have to offer with these spectacular events.
Festivals with beer, pumpkins, music, and marathons dot all over the Hills. Join in the variety of Halloween entertainment and celebrations of Lakota culture to carve out a fantastic fall season.
September
In September, school buses flood the street once again as we transition away from summer, but the fun doesn't end in the fall. It's the perfect time for festivals, pumpkins, buffalo roundups, hiking, and more. Take a look at the September events blog to see a full list of events in the first month of fall.
Friday, September 15, 2023 to Saturday, September 16, 2023
The Jam’s always been a premiere outdoor music festival in the region, and this year it will be on display for all at no charge.
Thursday, September 21, 2023 to Saturday, September 23, 2023
Plein Air painting dates back to the French impressionists who left their studios to paint “in the open air.”
The French term "Plein Air" means out of doors and refers to the practice of painting entire finished pictures out of doors rather than in a studio.
Friday, September 29, 2023 (All day) to Saturday, September 30, 2023 (All day)
Experience the iconic Buffalo Roundup at Custer State Park's annual event. Held each September, visitors can witness the park's herd of approximately 1,500 bison being corralled by cowboys and cowgirls on horseback.
Join us in Deadwood as we celebrate Oktoberfest in the Wild West! Enjoy live German music at the PolkaFest, a poker run with prizes, free food, and dancing. Bring the whole family and join us for the now famous “Wiener Dog Races” and Beer Barrel Games!
October
October is the month of roasting pumpkin seeds and decorating everything with fake cobwebs. The Black Hills and Badlands will be full of spooky delights, lit up in splendid shades of autumn as the days get colder.
Powwows, parades, fall hiking, and great outdoor events tie up the season before things begin to frost over.
This autumn hike is the public’s second chance of the year to walk up the world’s largest mountain carving in progress.
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Participate in a real paranormal investigation with professional paranormal researchers!
Friday, October 6, 2023 (All day) to Sunday, October 8, 2023 (All day)
The Black Hills Powwow or He Sapa Wacipi is a preeminent Black Hills event that’s three days filled with Native American singing, dancing, drum groups, art show, handgames, athletic competitions and a variety of other events. Over the decades, the Black Hills Powwow has become one of the premier American Indian cultural events in the United States attracting hundreds of dancers, singers, artisans and thousands of spectators from across North America.
Come celebrate Halloween in Deadwood. Deadweird is a little crazy, a little spooky and a whole lot of fun!
For a full lineup of festivals and events in the Black Hills and Badlands, visit our Events Calendar.