Rapid City / Black Hills KOA Holiday Events

“Legends in Light” the Crazy Horse Memorial® multimedia laser-light show is presented nightly, at dark, from Memorial Day weekend through September 30th. The laser-light show effectively turns the mountainside into a giant 500-foot “screen” for the spectacular display.“This is laser-light storytelling to illuminate our cultural diversity, celebrate our similarities and encourage better understanding and harmony among races and nations,” said Ruth Ziolkowski,(1926-2014) wife of late sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski (1908-1982).The Memorial honors Native Americans, and “Legends in Light” dramatizes the story of the rich heritage, living cultures and contributions by Native Americans to our society. The show features colorful animations, sound effects and laser beams choreographed to music.

Summer Nights is a weekly concert series that runs every Thursday evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  It was established by the 2007 Leadership Rapid City class and has entertained Downtown Rapid City since 2008.   Our board is made up of anywhere between 9 – 17 volunteer board members who you will find in red staff shirts on the street each event night.   We also have a number of volunteer organizations that fill the needs that are required in order to pull off this fantastic event for Rapid City.  Summer Nights is funded by the many fantastic sponsors as well as through beverage sales.   All proceeds of the event are donated back to the event volunteer organizations or used to support the equipment and financial needs to prepare for future years. Summer Nights is a FREE event for all ages. Come join the fun! There's no better way to experience the vibrant nightlife of Rapid City, SD! The event occurs every Thursday during the Summer with Happy Hour running from 5:00pm – 6:00pm and the entertainment from 6:00pm – 9:00pm in the heart of downtown Rapid City, SD. Come Join Us for a Great Night of Music, Food, Beer, and Fun Activities for the Entire Family!

Meet filmmakers and special guests as well as view 7 new films not available in the Virtual Festival!

The Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon is a point to point course, beginning in the hamlet of Rochford and ending at the historic Engine House

The bi-annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch (an organized hike) is a 10K or 6.2-mile woodlands ramble to the world's largest mountain carving in progress in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota.

Celebrate the life and times of one of Deadwood's most famous gunslingers—Wild Bill Hickok. See big name artists and your favorite bands perform live concerts on Main Street all weekend long. Along with the awesome free concerts, you can also check out the National Dock Dogs Competition, watch (or participate in) a classic car auction, learn the tricks of gold panning and sluicing from Northern Hills Prospectors, right on Main Street! Book Your Room Today! Call 1-800-999-1876 for more information. ** All times are subject to change due to weather or technical issues. Thank you for understanding.

People and cars from 27 different states participated in the rides, races, and socials. Everyone had a really great time.   We are hoping our friends from Canada will be able to join us this year. We know several clubs from up north are itching to join us.

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 available for concerts in case of rain.

The Roundup is one of the oldest continuously held outdoor rodeos in America. For five exciting days surrounding the July 4th holiday weekend, thousands of regional residents, and people from across the country and abroad, come to Belle Fourche to celebrate. The Black Hills Roundup started years ago when 15,000 people gathered in a Belle Fourche field to help raise funds for the 1918 war. This was an astonishing number of people to show up considering the population of Belle Fourche was 1,410. Even though World War I ended the next year, the success of the first year prompted them to try it again and again.

Custer Fireworks Display
Don't miss all the fun of Independence Day in Custer with the Old Time Country Fourth of July Celebration. From a parade and live music to old-fashioned games and races to an arts and crafts festival, Custer is the place to be. The fireworks display from Pageant Hills tops off the celebration at dark (about 9:30 p.m.) on July 4.
Custer, 605-673-2244

Spearfish, 605-759-4530, www.blackhillscorvetteclassic.com

1874, Lieutenant Colonel George Custer led the troops of the 7th Cavalry into the Black Hills and discovered gold near present day Custer. Colonel Custer and his men found wealth beyond gold in the beauty of the Black Hills. To celebrate this event, the town of Custer has the annual Gold Discovery Days celebration. This annual three-day celebration has it all for the ENTIRE FAMILY! Arts & Crafts Fair in the park, bed races, inflatable bouncy houses for the kids, volleyball tournaments, quilt show, gold nugget hunt, 5K Fun Run/Walk, hot air balloon rally, stick horse rodeo, and the largest parade in the Black Hills!

Join thousands of locals and visitors for a festive stroll through Spearfish City Park, enjoying the sights and sounds of one of the largest and most popular artist events in the Black Hills. The annual Festival in the Park attracts more than 200 regional vendors offering items from art and jewelry to food and furniture. 

Spearfish, 605-642-7973, www.spearfishartscenter.org

Rapid City, 605-342-6822, www.hillsalive.com

A beer stock exchange and tasting alley will be set up at Main Street Square's 12th annual Bierbörse, a German beer, and cultural celebration, on Saturday, July 23rd, from 1 to 5 p.m., presented by A&B Business Solutions, Coors Light, and Vast Broadband. The Designated Driver booth is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Deadwood, 605-578-1876, www.daysof76.com

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the largest motorcycle rally in the world. It is held annually in The Black Hills and in Sturgis, South Dakota for 10 days during the first week of August. It was started by local Indian dealer Pappy Hoel in 1938. Since its beginning, private area businesses throwing events such as races, concerts, and rides have made, and continue to make, the Sturgis Rally what it is today.

Custer, 800-992-9818, www.custersd.com

Rapid City, 605-355-3861, www.centralstatesfair.com

Picture this: a perfect place, a perfect pace, a perfect race…Knowing a downhill marathon is about
speed, and that it's going to be a fast run, I still encourage you to take the time to look around and
savor the unique beauty only a Black Hills of South Dakota Marathon can provide. This course has
proven a spiritual journey for me and I hope when you cross that finish line you feel the same way!
Spearfish, 605-642-2382, www.leadingladiesmarathon.com

Kool Deadwood Nites brings car lovers together for five days full of classic cars, classic music and classic fun. It's a 50's and 60's sock hop – Deadwood style. Enjoy a parade, show and shine and FREE concerts on Main Street featuring the biggest names in rock ‘n roll history.
Deadwood, 605-578-1876

A WEEK LONG MUSTANG RALLY PACKED WITH RACING, CRUISES, CAR SHOW AND FUN FILLED EVENTS.

CATCH UP WITH OLD FRIENDS AND MAKE NEW ONES ALONG THE WAY. It's not just a rally, it's a destination spot. Take your Mustang to Sturgis, South Dakota for your adventure!

This special day commemorates the dual anniversaries of the 1877 death of Crazy Horse and the 1908 birth of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski.The public is encouraged to visit Crazy Horse Memorial on each Special Day for a day and night of activities.

What better way to enjoy fall in the Black Hills than riding an authentic steam engine while sipping local wines paired with tasty food courses!? The Wine Express is a truly unique experience that is one of our most popular events, so do not wait to purchase your tickets!

Hill City, 605-574-2222, www.1880train.com

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.
Deadwood,  www.deadwood.org

Downtown Rapid City will welcome giant pumpkins weighing hundreds of pounds on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for The 14th Annual Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival. Special thanks to our major event sponsor Vast Broadband. “The Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival is hands down, the best way to kick off the fall season,” said Domico Rodriguez, President & CEO of Main Street Square. “We are glad to continue the downtown tradition for the 14th year and thankful for all of our partnerships that make this community event possible.” From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 60+ vendor booths at the BH Parent Harvest Market will feature local produce and goods. Enjoy the Hayrides at the Monument Health and Fleet Farm Kidz Zone and bounce your heart out at the NS Inflatables bounce houses.

Watch cowboys and cowgirls as they roundup and drive the herd of approximately 1,300 buffalo. Not only is the roundup a spectacular sight to see, it is also a critical management tool in maintaining a strong and healthy herd.
Custer, 605-255-4515, www.custerstatepark.info

Watch cowboys and cowgirls as they roundup and drive the herd of approximately 1,300 buffalo. Not only is the roundup a spectacular sight to see, it is also a critical management tool in maintaining a strong and healthy herd.The Buffalo Roundup will begin at 9:30 a.m. MT with the parking lots opening at 6:15 a.m. Be sure to get there early if you want to pick your spot. Guests must stay in the viewing areas until the herd is safely in the corrals, generally around noon. PBreakfast is available at 6:15 a.m. in both viewing areas. Lunch is served at the corrals once the buffalo are rounded up. There is a fee for both meals. Testing, branding and sorting of the buffalo begins at 1 p.m. and lasts until approximately 3 p.m. Crews will work the remainder of the herd in October

Wilkommen to our German inspired event that brings together our favorite German foods, tasty seasonal beer and, of course, live polka music! When you combine all of this together with a scenic steam train ride through the Black Hills, you have the perfect outing for a group of friends, family and more.

Hill City, 605-574-2222, www.1880train.com

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION AND BHVA WILL HOST THE FALL VOLKSMARCH IN SEPTEMBER. THE AUTUMN HIKE WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2022 AND WILL BE HELD THE SAME WEEKEND AS THE CUSTER STATE PARK BUFFALO ROUND-UP.