Nov. 22, 2021

This piece is presented by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Most holiday celebrations are back at full strength this year throughout Minnehaha and Lincoln counties after many were scaled back or canceled last year because of the pandemic. Take a quick trip outside of Sioux Falls to catch the spirit of the season.

Baltic

Baltic’s annual Santa Day is back after being canceled last year because of the pandemic. Kids can have their photo taken with Santa for free from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 19. They can play games, make crafts and decorate cookies. There also will be a cake walk. The Baltic Community Events Committee is organizing the event this year and hasn’t determined a location yet. Get updates here.

Baltic High School is hosting a Renaissance-themed Christmas dinner theatre performance with a meal, music and merriment. There will be three performances: 6 p.m. Dec. 4 and noon and 6 p.m. Dec. 5. Tickets are $35, and guests will be seated at tables of six. A beef bourguignon meal will be catered by Papa’s Pub & Eatery with desserts by Amber Whisk. Proceeds go towards Baltic Fine Arts. Reserve seats by calling 605-929-8227 or purchase tickets here.

Brandon

The annual Parade of Lights starts at 6 p.m. Nov. 27. The VFW float with Santa will lead the parade from the high school down Holly Boulevard to Main Street. Santa will be dropped off at the VFW Post Hall for a meet-and-greet with kids of all ages. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. If the parade is canceled because of weather, Santa will be at the VFW starting at 6 p.m.

That day also is Shop Small Saturday, sponsored by the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Locally owned stores will offer deals and events to kick-start holiday shopping. Visit at least six participating stores to be entered in a prize drawing.

The annual Cookie Parade Fair on Dec. 5 at Risen Savior Parish will feature both a parade and prepackaged Christmas cookies and candies. People will be able to wear plastic gloves and go through the line to select their own treats. Prices are $15 per container — a 9-inch pie plate with lid — or two for $25. Cookie sales begin at 9:15 a.m. Lunch will be served in the church hall this year. Turkey croissants and soups will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., unless the food runs out sooner. Curbside pickup will be available by calling the church before Friday afternoon.

Canton

The Canton Barn is hosting Family Day with Santa from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 5.

The Canton Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Extravaganza kicks off Dec. 6. The Christmas Parade starts at 7 p.m. downtown, traveling on Fifth Street from Milwaukee to Main streets. That’s followed by the lighting of the Lincoln County Courthouse trees, caroling and hot apple cider at 7:30 p.m. Santa will be there to visit with the kids. The chamber is no longer hosting the annual Festival of Trees. The Canton School District may try to revive it for next year.

Gate City Events is hosting a winter vendor fair from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 11.

Search for the perfect tree to cut down at Riverview Christmas Tree Farm north of town. The farm will start selling trees the weekend before Thanksgiving and will be open the following three weekends. It’s also open Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. Last year, the farm closed earlier than expected because of early demand and a smaller supply after drought conditions. A lack of rain this year also has stunted growth. Shop for holiday crafts and Christmas wreaths in the lodge, and enjoy hot drinks and holiday treats. Visit Santa, and pet the animals in the pens.

Crooks

Santa Claus is coming to town Dec. 12. He’ll be at the Crooks Community Center from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 12. The event, organized by Crooks Area Working Together, will offer activities for the kids, cookies and a photo op with the big guy.

That night, there will be a parade of lights, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The route will start at the fire hall and head west.

The annual Willow Creek Lutheran cookie parade has been canceled for a second year. Rather than the pandemic, there just aren’t enough people to make all the cookies this year, a church member said.

Dell Rapids

Dell Rapids is celebrating Christmas at the Dells from Dec. 3-5. The Christmas tree at the Dells Senior Center will be lit at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Parade of Lights starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on Main Street. Other highlights for Saturday include a children’s craft and activities from 9 a.m. to noon at Carnegie Library, a free showing of “A Christmas Story” at 10 a.m. at Dells Theatre, sleigh or hay rides from 1 to 3 p.m. on Main Street and a soup supper at the American Legion from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

New this year is a Christmas concert Saturday night featuring the Hegg Brothers at the Grand Opera House. On Sunday, Corduroy & Pixie Dust is offering free photos with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m. Cricket’s Catering is having its annual customer appreciation open house with children’s activities and holiday vendors from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall. Click here to get the full schedule for Christmas at the Dells.

Garretson

The town’s annual Hometown Christmas offers a full day of holiday cheer this year after being scaled down to the Parade of Lights in 2020 because of the pandemic. Activities on Dec. 11 begin with a community appreciation breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon at the Legion Dugout, along with a vendor fair there from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa will be at the Garretson School from 1 to 3 p.m., along with craft activities. Firetruck and horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from 1 to 3 p.m. downtown.

The Parade of Lights on Main Street starts at 6:30 p.m. After the parade, Santa will head to Light the Park at Split Rock Park, and will wave at the kids as they drive through with their families. See the full schedule here.

The third annual Light the Park features campsites and other areas at Split Rock decorated by individuals, small groups and businesses. It’s open from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays from Thanksgiving through Jan. 2. Leave a letter for Santa with a return address in the mailbox by the photo booth area before Dec. 12 and get a reply.

Harrisburg

Santa Claus arrives in Harrisburg on Friday, Dec. 3. He’ll help light the town’s Christmas tree at Lake Ole at 6 p.m. The Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce will serve hot chocolate and provide glow sticks for the kids to help welcome Santa to town. Drop off letters to Santa with a return address, and he’ll respond.

Lava’s Old Fashioned Christmas will offer carriage rides through town provided by Darrell Vik. The rides will be from 10 a.m. to noon, starting in the parking lot of Lava’s Coffee & Café. Stop inside to buy a cup of coffee or cocoa, and check out the gift shop.

While the Holiday Shopping Extravaganza won’t be held for a second year, the annual Prairie Christmas concerts will be at 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Harrisburg High School Performing Arts Center. Purchase tickets here.

Find a fresh-cut tree, decorated wreaths, greens and handmade crafts and gifts at Christmas Tree Acres on Highway 115. The business is open from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend. Last year, the trees were gone by the first few days of December. Santa will be there from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the weekend after Thanksgiving and Dec. 4-5.

Hartford

The 10th annual Hometown Christmas will be celebrated Sunday, Dec. 5, in Hartford. The traditional community breakfast to start the day will be served at the Hartford Fire Station from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. In the afternoon, there will be activities for kids with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the fire station and a carnival at the high school. From noon to 4 p.m., there’s a vendor show at the West Central Becker Center. Activities downtown in the afternoon include gingerbread house and mini Christmas tree contests, cookie decorating at Buffalo Ridge Brewing and a bonfire at 4:30 p.m. The Knights of Columbus is serving a community dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. George Catholic Church.

The lighting of the town’s Christmas tree and the Parade of Light will be at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street, and the day ends with a fireworks show at 7:30 p.m. at the high school. Follow the event on Facebook for more details.

Lennox

Santa Night is back this year after last year’s Santa Day with pandemic precautions. Talk to Santa and enjoy treats from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 2 in the LWC Intermediate cafetorium.

The annual Festival of Tables sponsored by the Lennox Band Boosters also has returned. Tour the decorated tables and raffle items, and enjoy brunch Dec. 11 in the LWC Intermediate cafetorium. The band students will play holiday music. Doors open at 10 a.m., and brunch will be served at 10:30 a.m., with the raffle to follow. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.

Cut your own Christmas tree at Tannenbaum Tree Farm, which is northeast of Lennox. It’s open starting Friday, Nov. 26.  Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. No Fraser firs are available this year, but there are Scotch pine trees and a few varieties of spruce. Wreaths, door swags and winter containers are available. With increased demand last year, the farm was open for two weekends and then by appointment because only smaller trees were left.

Tea

Santa is back at the Tea Community Library after taking a break last year because of the pandemic, and he’s bringing Mrs. Claus with him this time. Take a photo with them from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 10. They’ll read a story, and there will be cookies, face painting and a coloring contest. Coloring pages also can be picked up after that, and three winners will be announced Dec. 22.

Valley Springs

The Valley Springs Community Club is putting together plans for its annual Santa Day. Check back for updates.

Worthing

The Worthing Masonic Lodge canceled the annual breakfast with Santa last year because of the pandemic and isn’t having it again this year.

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. The show runs into the new year. Visitors are invited to stop in the dealership at the Interstate 29 exit during business hours for popcorn and coffee.

9 holiday events that shouldn’t be missed