This piece is presented by the Minnehaha County and Lincoln County Economic Development Associations.

Celebrate the holidays small town-style with a variety of unique activities happening this month throughout Minnehaha and Lincoln counties.

Baltic Santa Days 2016 participants sing with Santa.

Baltic

Santa is the star at Baltic’s Santa Days from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the old elementary gym. A chili dog meal will be served beginning at noon for a free-will donation. Santa arrives at 1 p.m. Afternoon activities include Mrs. Claus reading a Christmas story, games, a bake sale, horse-drawn rides and Christmas caroling.

Brandon

While the community doesn’t have an organized celebration, there are several events throughout the month. Get more details by clicking here.

• Dec. 2: Brandon Lutheran WELCA Advent Brunch, 9:30 a.m.
• Dec. 3: Risen Savior Annual Cookie Parade & Fair, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 8-10: Mighty Corson Art Players’ “Every Christmas Story Ever Told,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Dec. 12: Snow Stories at the Brandon Community Library, 10:15 a.m.
• Dec. 13 and Dec. 17: Risen Savior Choir’s Christmas is Coming, Sing for Joy, 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at Bethany Meadows and 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at Risen Savior Catholic Church.
• Dec. 16: Santa Storytime at the Brandon Community Library, 10:15 a.m.
• Dec. 17: Santa Stops fundraiser for Brandon Edge. Register by Dec. 13 to have Santa stop at your house.
• Dec. 19: Holly Jolly Hip Hop Party at the Brandon Community Library, 10:15 a.m.

Canton

The Canton Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade starts at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, and Riverview Christmas Tree Farm north of town is open weekends through Dec. 16. Several community groups have events throughout the month.

• Dec. 2: Visit with Santa and decorate cookies at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Dec. 4: Soup and pie supper, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Dominic’s Church.
• Dec. 8: Senior center open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., holiday treats and silent auction baskets.
• Dec. 9: Festival of Trees with live music and a Christmas vendor fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse. Winter Blues Vendor Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gate City Events. Love Inc. Christmas Tour of Homes, 1 to 3 p.m., featuring the homes of Dave Amundson, Doug and Brenda Van Zee, Brian and Lisa Alden with a Harry Potter theme, Larry and Edith Nelson, and Ben and Miranda Oien. Tickets are $10, available at the homes or Love Inc.’s Clothing Closet.
• Dec. 10: Family Day With Santa at The Canton Barn, 2 to 4 p.m.

Crooks

Experience an Old World Christmas market Dec. 9 in Crooks. The town is organizing its second annual Crooks Christmas Market. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in a big tent outside the Crooks Community Center. Vendors will sell Christmas crafts and food. Santa visits from 10 a.m. to noon. From 2 to 4 p.m., there will be a senior coffee and cookies with caroling. From 6 to 9 p.m., there will be a wine and cheese tasting. Tickets are $15 or $25 for a couple. Proceeds go to the Crooks and Lyons volunteer fire departments.

Dell Rapids

Dell Rapids kicks off the holiday season Dec. 1-3 with Christmas at the Dells. Highlights include the showing of “Home Alone” at Dells Theatre, a Christmas tea at Dells Museum, a soup supper at the American Legion and a Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. with the arrival of Santa. After the parade, Santa will be available for photos until 9 p.m. at the museum.  Click here to get the full schedule.

Garretson

Hometown Christmas will be celebrated Dec. 8 and 9 in Garretson. On both days, shops and restaurants will feature sales and specials. Festivities on Saturday include a free customer appreciation breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. at the American Legion and a visit from Santa from 10 a.m. to noon at the Senior Citizens Center. From noon to 2 p.m., there will be toddler train, firetruck and wagon rides. Stop by the Garretson Museum for treats, a krumkake demonstration at 11 a.m. and storytime at 1 p.m. for first-graders and younger and 2 p.m. for older kids. Tucker’s Walk Vineyard outside of town is having wine tasting and appetizers Dec. 8-10. The Jesse James Players are putting on an interactive mystery dinner theater Friday and Saturday nights. Call 605-321-3758 for tickets.

Harrisburg

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for Christmas stories, crafts and photos from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at the Harrisburg Community Library.

The Harrisburg school choirs will present their holiday show, “Prairie Christmas,” at 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Harrisburg High School Performing Arts Center.

Hartford

Hometown Christmas will be celebrated Sunday, Dec. 3, in Hartford. The day starts off with a community breakfast at the Hartford Fire Station and ends with a fireworks show at 7:30 p.m. In between, there are more meals, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a carnival, vendor show, live Nativity and Jingle Bell Run. At 5:30 p.m., there’s the lighting of the Main Street Christmas tree and a Parade of Lights. Click here to get the full schedule.

Lennox

While the town doesn’t have an organized celebration, several community groups have offerings.

• Dec. 1: Hoedown Christmas Show, 7 to 10 p.m.,  122 S. Main St., hosted by the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame. All musicians welcome, who knows who might appear without a warning!
• Dec. 2: Festival of Tables, Lennox Middle School, sponsored by the Lennox Band Boosters. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. with brunch served at 10:45 a.m. Holiday music by the band students and raffle drawings.
• Dec. 5: Santa Day and Christmas Tree Walk, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the LWC Intermediate School, sponsored by the Lennox Commercial Club. Meal served with free-will donation, craft and bake sale, and visit with Santa until 7 p.m. The Christmas tree display will be open beginning at 3 p.m.
• Dec. 9: The Christmas Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., First English Lutheran Church, hosted by Lennox Girl Scouts. Homemade crafts and doughnuts, cider and coffee, and other vendors.

Tea

Meet Santa at the Tea Community Library from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.

Worthing

Billion Southtown’s Holiday Light Show includes more than 10,000 lights synchronized to holiday songs and runs every evening from 4 p.m. to midnight until Jan. 8. Visitors are invited to stop in the dealership during business hours for complimentary beverages.

The Worthing Masonic Lodge is hosting a free sausage-and-pancake breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Worthing Civic Center. There will be prizes, and kids can have their photo taken with Santa for free.