Events

1880 Train Holiday Express *Spiked*

Experience the magic and a spiked hot cocoa as you take a journey from Hill City to the North Pole! each ticket includes: Train Ride, Spiked Hot Chocolate, Sugar Cookie, Candy Cane, Keepsake thermal cup, Assigned seating in adult only car and a visit with Santa.

This option available on the following trips only:

Dress for Success: Train cars are enclosed and slightly heated, but the boarding area is outdoors so dress appropriately.

1880 Train Holiday Express

Experience the magic as you take a one hour, round trip journey from Hill City to the North Pole where Santa will board the train and ride back to Hill City, taking time to visit with each child on the way. Passengers enjoy hot cocoa, a sugar cookie and a special story on the way to the North Pole. Santa hands out a special gift to each child on the return trip.

Dress for Success: Train cars are enclosed and slightly heated, but the boarding area is outdoors so dress appropriately.

Holiday Express Dates:

November 23-24, 2018

December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 2018

See complete schedule and departure times online.

Storybook Island Christmas Nights of Light

Storybook Island gets turned into a winter wonderland during the Christmas Nights of Light event. Check out all of your favorite storybook characters dressed up in lights for the holiday season. 

Hot Cocoa, Apple Cider and cookies from Eileen’s available for additional charge.

Geeks who Drink!

Prepare for the (free!) pub-trivia to rule them all. Think you're a smart-ass? Prove it. Lost Cabin is joining the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quizzes revolution! Teams compete weekly for street cred, swag, beer and prizes. Bring your A game, come up with a solid team name (puns encouraged), and get here early to lock down a seat for South Dakota's first Geeks Who Drink® trivia night.

Monday nights from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Local Beer Night

The Oak Ridge Boys: Shine The Light On Christmas Tour

For almost thirty years, Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys have been a part of their fans' holiday seasons with their annual Christmas tour. This year, the Grammy Award-winning group will play their Shine The Light On Christmas show at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center on December 18th.

A mixture of traditional and contemporary songs—including religious, romantic and fun holiday tunes—makes up the set list, which includes songs from the Oaks’ seven bestselling Christmas CDs. A highlight of the evening is the much-loved ‘rocking chair’ segment where each BOY rocks by the fireplace and shares personal thoughts about Christmas

Trivia at Contraband Distillery

Come out Thursday Night starting Oct 4th 2018 and play a little trivia at the areas NEWEST and HOTTEST Bar Contraband Distillery! Try one of there amazing drinks and sit back while we challenge your brains with a little trivia!! Great Prizes given away each night!! Hope to see you Thursday nights at Black hills Contraband!

Saturday Art Markets

We welcome you to join us at our Saturday Art Markets, your weekly holiday one-stop shopping extravaganza! Each Saturday from 12-5 we'll welcome a variety of Local Artists, hot drinks to sip, and the best Saturdays for your holiday shopping pleasure. 

Saturday Art Market Dates
November 17, 24
December 1, 8, 15, 22

Custer State Park Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees is an opportunity for local businesses, civic organizations, and individuals to display a tree at the Custer State Park Visitor Center through the holiday season. Participants must supply their own tree and decorations, and are encouraged to decorate their tree in a way that promotes their business or services offered.

Tree setup can occur between Friday, November 23, and Sunday, December 26, between the hours of 9:30am and 3:00pm. Space is limited to approximately 20 trees and is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested, please contact the Park Office at (605) 255-4525 for further information (space must be reserved before a tree may be setup). All participants are required to remove their tree between Wednesday, January 2 and 9.

There is no fee to participate in the Custer State Park Festival of Trees; however, a park entrance license is required to enter the park.

Voting on trees will be open Monday, December 17 and take place through Tuesday, January 1, 2019. The winner of “favorite tree” will be announced via Facebook and a press release. A park entrance license is required to enter the park and can be purchased at the Park Office from 8:00am to 4:30pm during the week, or at the Visitor Center open from 9:00am to 4:00pm. In observance of the holidays, the Visitor Center will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Winter Trail Rides