Celebrate the spirit of the season with small-town holiday events

This paid piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Take a quick trip outside of Sioux Falls to neighboring towns served by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance to catch the spirit of the season. You’ll find Santa, parades, pancakes, cookies, hot cocoa and a welcoming vibe.

Baltic

Santa Days returns after a few years’ absence – now being organized by the Baltic PTO. It will be Sunday, Dec. 8, in the Baltic Elementary commons. Stop by from 2 to 4 p.m. to chat with Santa and take photos. There will be games and crafts for the kids, along with cookies and cider. Outside, there will be a winter scene set up for family photos – organizers say one photo only, not a family photo shoot – and horse-drawn wagon rides.

The high school’s Madrigal switches off every year with the school musical, so it won’t be back until 2025.

Beresford

Residents are reviving the community Thanksgiving dinner that was started in 2011 but has been on break since 2020 when the pandemic started. Enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for a freewill donation on Thanksgiving Day. The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Bridges at Beresford Golf Course & Community Center.

The town’s Parade of Lights and other festivities will be Saturday, Nov. 30. The parade also is back after being suspended with the start of the pandemic. This year, the day begins with the 40th annual Christmas Fair featuring 100 vendors in the high school gym. The Beresford Lions Club event will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $1. Food will be served, and there will be free door prizes. Proceeds from the event will go toward community projects.

Santa will be downtown from 4 to 6 p.m. that day for photos, and businesses will be offering refreshments and sales. The chamber will be serving hot chocolate and apple cider on corners in front of the two banks. The town’s Christmas tree at Third and Main will be lit at 6 p.m., and the parade will follow. The route starts at the funeral home and then heads south along Third Street for about eight blocks before the floats make a U-turn and head back.

Brandon

The annual Parade of Lights starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. The VFW float with Santa will lead the parade from the high school down Holly Boulevard to Main Street, ending at Dogwood. 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.

Photo courtesy of Brandon Valley Journal

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. Get the details here. In addition, there’s a Shop Small Vendor Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Celebration UMC. Find information about vendors here.

The annual Cookie Parade Fair on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Risen Savior Parish will feature both a parade and prepackaged Christmas cookies and candies. People will be able to 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 a.m. and wrap up by 2 p.m. or sooner if they’re all gone. Turkey croissants and soups will be available beginning at noon. There will be a 50/50 cash raffle and raffle baskets. St. Nicholas will make an appearance.

Other community events:

• Dec. 6-8 and 13-15: The Mighty Corson Art Players presents “A Sherlock Carol,” with a grown-up Tiny Tim asking Sherlock Holmes to investigate the death of Scrooge. Get details and tickets here.
• Dec. 7: Santa & Mimosas at Oakridge Nursery, 9 a.m. to noon.
• Dec. 14: “A Prairie Christmas” will feature a “heartwarming and hilarious storytelling show.” Ten percent of proceeds will go to the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s scholarship fund for BVHS students. The event will be at the Holiday Inn Express, with a social hour starting at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include “decadent” desserts and a coffee bar. Get tickets here.

Canistota

The annual Canistota Festival of Trees on Saturday, Dec. 7, features decorated trees and other fun activities for all ages at the American Legion Hall. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. for the movie “Home Alone,” craft-making with the FCCLA and cookies. Santa will arrive at 5:30 p.m., and the high school band will perform Christmas music beginning at 6:30 p.m. Soup, hot chocolate and other beverages will be sold.

The lighting of the Christmas tree on Main Street will be at 7 that night. Bingo begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Legion. A covered wagon pulled by a tractor will offer rides up and down Main Street beginning at 3:30 p.m. and then will provide a Christmas light tour beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Canton

The Canton Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Parade starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 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. That night, St. Dominic’s Catholic Church is hosting a soup and pie dinner for a freewill donation from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Wheel Public House.

The annual Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Canton Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. Check out all the decorated trees and gingerbread houses, and vote for your favorites. Shop at the holiday fair with 50 vendors, and enjoy breakfast, lunch and a bake sale from the Canton Community Center. Santa will be there for photos.Proceeds from many of the activities will go to the Canton Community Center building fund.

Search for the perfect tree to cut down at Riverview Christmas Tree Farm north of town. The farm opened the weekend of Nov. 23-24 and will be open weekends through Dec. 7-8 – if the inventory lasts that long! It’s also open Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. Visit Santa while you’re there, and shop for holiday crafts and Christmas wreaths in the lodge. Enjoy hot drinks, holiday treats and wine tasting. Find details here.

Other community activities:

• Dec. 14-15: Living Nativity at Canton Lutheran Church, starting at 5 p.m. both nights. Soup supper runs from 5 to 7 p.m. There’s a cantata at 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.
• Dec. 14: Holiday open house at Laura’s Lattes from 8 a.m. to noon. Free coffee and goodies, door prizes and live music.
• Dec. 16: Christmas with Lorie Line concert, 7 p.m., Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased here.

Centerville

Everyone is welcome to help celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way Dec. 6-7. On Friday, local shops are having open houses with raffle prizes, holiday treats and sales. The library is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by for a silent auction, raffle prizes, and cake, ice cream and coffee.

On Saturday, the fun starts at the school with several activities, including a pancake breakfast, carnival games, crafts, storytime and photos with Santa. That evening, the Centerville Development Corporation will host the Celebrate Centerville Community Gala with a happy hour, dinner, program and concert with Weston Frank. Find details at visitcentervillesd.com.

On Dec. 14, the Centerville Community Arts Council will present the 21st anniversary show of “A Touch of Christmas.” It begins at 6 p.m. at the Scandia Fellowship Hall. Purchase tickets at the library. Find details on the art council’s Facebook page.

Colton

Tri-Valley FFA is organizing Santa Days on Saturday, Dec. 14, with photos with Santa, fun activities for kids, bingo for all ages with prizes and a soup dinner from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Taopi Hall. Bingo starts at 11:30 a.m.

Crooks

The fun in Crooks has a new name this year: Crooksmas! The fun kicks off Sunday, Dec. 8, with a Santa Claus at the Crooks Community Center from 3 to 5 p.m. The event, organized by Crooks Area Working Together, will offer activities for the kids, face-painting, cookies and a photo op with the big guy. CAWT is collecting freewill donations or new winter hats and waterproof gloves for the Tri-Valley Angel Tree. Find updates here.

That night, there will be a parade of lights, starting at 6:30 p.m. There’s a new route this year: from the library south on West Avenue to the school.

Dell Rapids

Dell Rapids is celebrating Christmas at the Dells from Dec. 5-8. The celebration kicks off with winter concerts at the public and private schools Thursday and Friday. On Friday, there’s a meat raffle at Norby’s Bar hosted by the Lions Club. Highlights for Saturday include children’s activities from 9 a.m. to noon at Carnegie Library, a free showing of “Polar Express” at 10 a.m. at Dells Theatre, ornament decorating from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Dell Rapids Ace Hardware & Rental, horse-drawn wagon rides from 1 to 3 p.m. downtown, bingo at Pizza Ranch from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and a soup supper at the American Legion from 5 to 7 p.m. The Christmas tree at the Dells Senior Center will be lit at 6:15 p.m., and there will be caroling and cookies.

The Parade of Lights starts at 6:30 p.m. downtown on Fourth Street.  Santa will be available for photos at 9 a.m. at the theater before the movie and after the parade. On Sunday, stop by Zero Street and Orleans Avenue for a holiday photo opportunity. That night, the Dell Rapids High School and St. Mary’s jazz bands will perform at 6 p.m. in the Grand Opera House. Click here to get the full schedule for Christmas at the Dells or visit Facebook.

Garretson

The town’s annual Hometown Christmas will be Saturday, Dec. 14. The day begins with a community appreciation breakfast with pancakes, sausage and biscuits and gravy from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Legion Dugout and a vendor fair there from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The Garretson Public Library will have a holiday storytime from 10 to 10:30 a.m. and crafts from 1 to 3 p.m. Santa will be The Treasure Chest from 1 to 3 p.m. Throughout the day, stop by the museum for free popcorn, cider and coffee. From 5 to 7 p.m., the fire department will offer firetruck rides starting at the firehouse, and a chili contest and feed at the Legion, with bingo starting at 6 p.m. The Parade of Lights on Main Avenue starts at 6 p.m. See the full Garretson Hometown Christmas schedule here.

Photo courtesy of Garretson Gazette

Harrisburg

Santa Claus arrives Saturday, Nov. 30, for the Harrisburg Hometown Holiday. He’ll be available for photos from 4 to 6 p.m. in Heritage Gym – the old Liberty Elementary. Businesses and organizations will set up booths and provide a hands-on craft project, game or holiday treat. Drop off letters to Santa with a return address, and he’ll respond. The town’s Christmas tree will be lit at 6 p.m. at Lake Ole.

The Harrisburg Community Library and Harrisburg Disability Awareness Commission will host a Sensory Santa event from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the library. They’ll offer photos with Santa, crafts and book giveaways, all in a sensory-friendly environment, including a separate room for photos with Santa, less noise and smaller crowds.

Old Fashioned Christmas hosted by Lava’s Coffee will offer a morning of fun Saturday, Dec. 14, in Harrisburg. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides from 10 a.m. to noon, starting in the parking lot of the businesses at 305 W. Willow St. Stop inside to buy a cup of coffee or cocoa, and check out the gift shop. There also will be activities for the kids and likely photos with Santa from 9 a.m. to noon.

The annual “A Prairie Christmas” concerts will have three shows again this year. They will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Harrisburg High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 Friday and $10 Saturday and can be purchased here.

Country Apple Orchard will kick off its second season of selling pre-cut Christmas trees and more on Nov. 29. The store will be stocked with wreaths, decorations, take-and-bake pies and items that will make great gifts. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Santa will be there for photos from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays through Dec. 14.

The orchard’s holiday light show that can be watched from the comfort of your car is back for a second year. There are three shows every Wednesday through Sunday from Nov. 29 to Dec. 29. Showtimes are 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for a carload on Wednesday and Thursday, and $25 the other nights. Tickets are available only online.

Hartford

Hartford Hometown Christmas will be celebrated Sunday, Dec. 1. The day starts with breakfast provided by the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce for a freewill donation from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Hartford Fire Station. This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the kids carnival, which runs from noon to 4 p.m. at West Central High School. The after prom committee will be there selling lunch. Visit the vendor show from noon to 5 p.m. at the West Central Becker Center. Catch a horse-drawn wagon ride between the school and downtown. Watch a children’s movie at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, with Christmas caroling at 4 p.m. Activities downtown in the afternoon include gingerbread house and mini Christmas tree contests, cookie decorating at Buffalo Ridge Brewing, balloon twisting and Christmas crafts at 120 Main Events 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 Lights 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. For details, follow the event on Facebook or at hartfordhtc.com.

Humboldt

Humboldt’s Got Heart is organizing a Christmas craft event for kids from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the Community Center. Meet Santa, decorate ornaments, play games and enjoy cookies and cocoa. Donations of hats, gloves and socks for kids are appreciated but not required.

Lennox

The annual Festival of Tables sponsored by the Lennox Band Boosters will be Saturday, Dec. 7, in the LWC Intermediate cafetorium. Tour the decorated tables, check out the raffle items and enjoy brunch. The high school jazz band and other ensembles will play holiday music. Doors open at 10 a.m., and brunch will be served at 10:30 a.m., with the raffle drawings starting at 11 a.m. Tickets are $10 in advance from band students or by emailing [email protected]. They’re $12 at the door.

Santa Night will be Monday, Dec. 9, in the LWC Intermediate cafetorium. (We reached out for details but didn’t hear back in time for our initial post.)

Cut your own Christmas tree at Tannenbaum Tree Farm, which is owned by Tim and Claudia Wassom. They also have wreaths, doors swags and winter containers for sale. The farm northeast of Lennox will be open Nov. 29-Dec. 1 and Dec. 6-8 and by appointment during the week by calling 605-647-9414. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and Sundays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Get updates on hours and availability on the farm’s Facebook page. 

Photo from a previous year

Parker

Parker celebrates Hometown Christmas with a Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, on Main Street. Join the fun after the parade at the school gym for a soup supper and bingo. Earlier in the day, the Parker Public Library will have make-and-take Christmas ornaments, activities and treats from 9 a.m. to noon, with storytime at 10:30 a.m. There’s a vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Building. Parker cheerleaders will be serving food, and Santa will be available for photos.

Salem

Salem Hometown Christmas, hosted by Salem Community Women and the Salem Chamber of Commerce, will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 6. Santa Claus comes to town during the Parade of Lights that starts at 7 p.m. Afterward, Santa will be outside the Legion Hall to offer treats to the children. Kids can bring letters for Santa to put in his mailbox. The town’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be at 7:30 p.m. in front of the Legion. Earlier in the day, check out the decorated Christmas trees in the county courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Other activities include cookies with Mrs. Claus, the Kids Christmas Store, a bingo party, soup supper and a live Nativity. For details, see the event’s page on Facebook.

Tea

Tea is having its first Parade of Lights this year, beginning at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. The parade will start at the high school parking lot, head east on Brian Street and then south on Main Street, ending at the Tea Sports Complex. Afterward, there will be a tree-lighting ceremony in front of the American Legion and a chili cook-off and photos with Santa at the Legion Hall.

Santa Claus will be at the Tea Community Library on Saturday, Dec. 7. Take a photo with him from 10 a.m. to noon. There also will be storytime, a craft and Christmas goodies.

Valley Springs

The annual Santa Claus Day is Saturday, Dec. 14. Santa will arrive in town at 3 p.m. at the American Legion for this Valley Springs Community Club event. He’ll be there until he hears what’s on everyone’s wish list. People can come early to sign up for a raffle to win one of 12 turkeys. The drawing will be at 2:55 p.m.

Viborg

Every Sunday night in December, The Lund Theatre is showing a Christmas movie. Showtimes are at 6:30 p.m., and freewill donations for admission will be given to charity. Here’s the lineup: Dec. 1, Christmas Chronicles; Dec. 8, Elf; Dec. 15, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; Dec. 22, The Grinch (animated version); Dec. 29, A Christmas Story.

Worthing

Join Santa for doughnuts and photos from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Olde Towne Dinner Theatre. The event from the Worthing Masonic Lodge will feature doughnuts from Zebra King Donuts in Centerville, including the Original Zebra Donut. There also will be prizes for the kids. Freewill donations will be collected. If the weather is bad, the event will be Dec. 14. Find updates on Facebook. 

Billion Southtown’s Holiday Light Show won’t be held this year. Many of the 10,000-plus lights that were synchronized to holiday songs were damaged in strong winds last holiday season. The dealership is planning to put up permanent lights, but they won’t be up in time for the holidays this year.

Other activities:

• Dec. 7: Ladies Christmas Shopping Day, 2 to 5 p.m. at Kim’s Korner Bar & Grill. Variety of local vendors with unique gifts. Drink and food specials.