The Black Hills and Badlands know how to catch the eye during the fall with a new color to be discovered on every tree, rock, canyon, and creek. Fiery reds and oranges, deep purples and blues, and local festivities and flavors to highlight the beauty of the region.
This fall, see all the color and wonder the area has to offer with these spectacular events. Festivals with beer, pumpkins and music, marathons all over the hills, varieties of Halloween entertainment and celebrations of Lakota culture—carve out a fantastic fall in the Black Hills and Badlands with these incredible events!
September
In September, school busses flood the street once again as we transistion away from summer, but the fun doesn't end. It's the perfect time for festivals, pumpkins, buffalo roundups, hiking and more! To see a full list of events in the first month of fall, check out our September Events blog.
Sunday, September 6, 2020
The second traditional night blast of the year is on September 6th. The blast honors the dual anniversaries of the 1877 death of Crazy Horse and of the 1908 birth of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski.
Friday, September 18, 2020 to Saturday, September 19, 2020
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.
Friday, September 13, 2019 to Sunday, September 15, 2019
The Stratobowl was first made famous in the 1930’s when high altitude balloons launched from the site, visited the stratosphere and made history. The site has long been acknowledged as an important part of aviation history.
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Not up for running for hours on end? There are numerous 5K races and fun runs in Spearfish. Among them is the Black Hills Beer Run/Walk. Proceeds from the run/walk go to the Booth Society, the non-profit friends' group of the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 to Saturday, September 26, 2020
If you love the beauty of the Black Hills, you won’t want to miss a chance to take home one-of-a-kind artwork painted on-site in the Black Hills! Watch artists painting live in action at various locations!
Thursday, September 24, 2020 (All day) to Saturday, September 26, 2020 (All day)
Feel the thunder and join the herd at the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Watch cowboys and cowgirls as they roundup and drive the herd of approximately 1,400 buffalo (number of animals vary depending on rangeland conditions) to the corrals.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Downtown's biggest festival, The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival, returns for the 11th year. Visit Main Street Square and venture down Sixth St and into Memorial Park for a pumpkin catapult, giant pumpkin weigh-off, cooking demonstration, Kidz Zone, pony rides, vendors and more.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Celebrate Oktoberfest on board the 1880 Train!
Sunday, September 27, 2020
This autumn hike is the public’s second chance of the year to walk up the world’s largest mountain carving in progress.
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, candy, and lit up in splendid shades of autumn as the days get colder. Powwows, parades, fall hiking and great outdoor events to tie up the season before things begin to frost over.
Friday, October 2, 2020 to Saturday, October 3, 2020
Join us as we celebrate Oktoberfest in the Wild West. Enjoy live German music at the PolkaFest, the annual Tour de Oktoberfest, free food and dancing. Bring the whole family and join us for the now famous “Wiener Dog Races” and Beer Barrel Games!
Saturday, October 5, 2019
The annual 9th Bierbörse, a favorite of local craft beer enthusiasts, will take place the first Saturday in October. Admission is free. The event features a microbrew tasting, homebrew sampling, polka music, stein holding contests, keg bowling, a beer stock exchange and more.
Saturday, October 5, 2019 to Sunday, October 6, 2019
The Run Crazy Horse Marathon events begin in the shadow of the world's largest mountain carving, Crazy Horse Memorial, and finishes in the heart of the Black Hills... Hill City, South Dakota. Join us for a half marathon, full marathon, fast 5K and a kids 1K.
Friday, October 9, 2020 (All day) to Sunday, October 11, 2020 (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.
Friday, October 30, 2020 to Saturday, October 31, 2020
Come celebrate Halloween in Deadwood. Deadweird is a little crazy, a little spooky and a WHOLE lot of fun! Make plans for the 8th annual Monster Ball on Friday, Oct.
This event allows participants to hike a paved path along a ""creepy"" route, consisting of costumed characters. The characters humor their audiences with short skits about the natural history of various critters living in Custer State Park and the Black Hills.
For a full line up of festivals and events in the Black Hills and Badlands, visit our Events Calendar.
