Celebrate 12 Days Of Christmas The Rapid City Way

We won’t be sending you on a hunt to find Turtle Doves and French Hens, but we can add a little Rapid City twist to the 12 days of Christmas. Completing each one of these during your holiday getaway in Rapid will mean you made the most of the season. 

On the First Day of Christmas: 

On the Second Day of Christmas:

Head to the heart of Rapid City where you’ll rent two skates at Main Street Square. As you float around the ice you can take in the charm of Downtown Rapid City dressed to the nines in lights for the holiday season. Add more seasonal flavor to this experience with a coffee or cocoa from Alternative Fuel located right at the Shops at Main Street Square, or try a peppermint chip milkshake from Silver Lining Creamery.

On the Third Day of Christmas: 

• At the Delmonico Grill try the savory French Onion Soup, then the Grilled Pork Double Chop, and top it off with the Crème Brulee. 
• At the Gyro Hub get the Feisty Feta and Pita dip as your appetizer, the main course of a Gyro Bowl on Rice, and end with a Pistachio Baklava.
• At Sabatino's Italian Ristorante start the meal off with a plate of Bruschetta, followed by one of the housemade pastas like Gnocchi Al Pesto, and finish off the night with a mouthwatering tiramisu. 

On the Fourth Day of Christmas: 

 

 

Take on one of four locally themed rooms at Black Hills Escape Rooms! The rooms range in difficulty, so you can choose how challenging it is to escape. This is a great activity for families, friends and even work parties as it takes a fair amount of collaboration and teamwork to escape.  

 

On the Fifth Day of Christmas: 

 

Time to soak up the fresh air of the Black Hills by exploring one of these five trails located within 15 minutes of Rapid City. Make sure you bring lots of water on these adventures and be prepared with the proper gear for all types of weather. 

Buzzards Roost Trailhead is a 14-minute drive from Rapid City. This quick, but at times steep, 2.5-mile loop is used for hiking and mountain biking and leads to a summit with stunning views of the surrounding Black Hills. 

Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park is an unbelievable in town trail system located just four minutes from Downtown Rapid City. Commonly referred to as M Hill by locals, this slice of urban wilderness provides the perfect trails for a quick hike or bike without the drive. 

Skyline Wilderness Area is another trail system with outstanding views located within city limits - only a seven minute drive from Downtown Rapid City. With six different trails to hike or mountain bike,  all provide a wilderness escape with breathtaking skyline views. 

Coon Hollow Trailhead is located just 15 minutes from Rapid City. This 3.1-mile loop is a portion of the historic Flume Trail that weaves from Sheridan Lake through the Black Hills. 

Stratobowl Rim Trailhead can be found just 14 minutes from Rapid City. This is an easy 1.7-mile out and back trail that overlooks the historic canyon where record breaking heights were reached in 1934 and 1935. 

On the Sixth Day of Christmas:

 

 

Get tickets to watch a team of six master the ice in a thrilling game of Rapid City Rush hockey. These home games are an electrifying atmosphere to be a part of and are the perfect way to spend a holiday evening in Rapid City. Find the next game on our events calendar!

On the Seventh Day of Christmas: 

On the Eighth Day of Christmas: 

 

 

Cheers to the holiday season with a visit to one of Rapid City’s eight local breweries! Each one provides a different atmosphere to enjoy this holiday season along with unique flavor profiles to sip on. Visit a few and order flights of their seasonal taps to get a jolly sampling of what's being created in Rapid City. You can also stop into Rapid City's local winery Firehouse Wine Cellars for a glass of something red and cozy. 

On the Ninth Day of Christmas: 

On the Tenth Day of Christmas: 

 

Explore one of the 10 parks that surround Rapid City, which includes national parks, state parks, memorials and a national forest. You won’t be able to fit them all in on one day – so choose one and fill the day with adventure! Whether you take a thrilling drive through the bison herd of Custer State Park, take in a snow dusted scenic overlook in the Badlands, or step into some captivating history at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, the small crowds during the winter season make it the perfect time to visit these area gems. 

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas:

 

 

Stretch your legs with a 1.1-mile loop at the Outdoor Campus - West. It’s a beautiful campus to explore any time of year! After you walk the trail be sure to head inside to take in the wildlife habitat displays or even participate in a free class the campus offers on a variety of outdoor skills. 

 

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas: 

 

 

Book a Christmas Lights Tour with Black Hills Tour Company or Black Hills Adventure Tours for your favorite 9 to 12 people! Enjoy festive treats and drinks as you ride around town to bask in the glow of lights throughout Rapid City. Tours are booking quickly so plan ahead for this activity!

Make your holiday vacation in Rapid City one to remember with these twelve days of activities! Some of these locations may be closed on or before Christmas Day or have limited availability, be sure to call ahead or check out their holiday hours online before heading out! For more winter content check out the articles below.