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

The Baltic Madrigal will provide three nights of Renaissance Christmas music and a roast beef feast Dec. 1-3. And if you don’t go this year, you’ll have to wait until 2025 because the madrigal and school musical switch off every year. Madrigal performances are at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday at Baltic High School. The cast includes all ages, from elementary students to adults in the community. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. Proceeds benefit the fine arts programs in the Baltic School District.

Brandon

The annual Parade of Lights starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. 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.

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. and Celebration UMC. Find information about vendors here.

The annual Cookie Parade Fair on Sunday, Dec. 3, 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 9:30 a.m. and wrap up by 2:30 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.

Canistota

The annual Canistota Festival of Trees Saturday, Dec. 2, features decorated trees and other fun activities for all ages. Doors at the American Legion Hall open at 3 p.m. There will be music until 4 p.m. and a holiday movie with treats and other activities from 4 to 5:30 p.m. After that, Santa and a special guest will arrive. Bingo begins at 6 p.m.

Canton

The Canton Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Parade starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 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.

Photo courtesy of Sioux Valley News

The Festival of Trees will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Canton Performing Arts Center. Check out all the decorated trees, and vote for your favorite. Shop at the holiday vendor fair, and enjoy a lunch and bake sale by the Senior Center, all while listening to live music. Santa will be there for photos and to hear wish lists.

The Canton Barn is hosting Santa Day from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and go on a horse-drawn wagon ride. The event is free. Canton Area Toys for Tots will be collecting toys and cash donations.

Search for the perfect tree to cut down at Riverview Christmas Tree Farm north of town. The farm started selling trees over the weekend and will be open weekends through Dec. 9-10 – 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.

Centerville

Everyone is welcome to help celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way Dec. 1-4. On Friday, local shops are having open houses with holiday treats and sales. On Saturday, the fun starts with breakfast at the Legion Hall, followed by activities for kids from 9 a.m. to noon at the school, including photos with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. The Parade of Lights starts at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Centerville Arts Council is presenting the 20th anniversary show of “A Touch of Christmas.” Tickets must be purchased by Nov. 27 at the library. Find details on all events at the community’s Facebook page or visitcenterville.com.

Colton

Tri-Valley FFA is organizing Santa Days on Saturday, Dec. 16, with photos with Santa, fun activities for kids and a 4-H concessions stand. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Taopi Hall.

Crooks

Santa Claus is coming to town Sunday, Dec. 10. He’ll be 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, cookies and a photo op with the big guy. Bundle up, and enjoy wagon rides – weather permitting. 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.

Dell Rapids

Dell Rapids is celebrating Christmas at the Dells from Nov. 30-Dec. 3. The Christmas tree at the Dells Senior Center will be lit at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, followed by the Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. downtown on Fourth 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 “Elf” at 10 a.m. at Dells Theatre, ornament painting from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Dell Rapids Ace Hardware, cooking decorating at County Fair Food Store from 1 to 3 pm, horse-drawn wagon rides from 1 to 3 p.m. downtown and a soup supper at the American Legion from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Santa will be available for photos at 9 a.m. at the theater before the movie and after the parade at the museum. The Dell Rapids High School and St. Mary’s jazz bands will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Grand Opera House. The museum has several open house opportunities over the weekend as well as its annual Festival of Christmas raffle. 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. 9. Activities begin with a community appreciation breakfast with pancakes, sausage and biscuits and gravy from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Legion Dugout. The Legion also will host a silent auction for business improvements and vendor fair from 1 to 5 p.m. Stop in the museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free popcorn, cider and coffee. See Santa and make a craft at the Garretson School Commons from 1 to 3 p.m. Firetruck rides will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. starting at the firehouse. The fire department will have a chili feed from 5 to 7 p.m. and bingo from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Legion. The Parade of Lights on Main Avenue starts at 6 p.m. See the Garretson Hometown Christmas full schedule here.

Photo courtesy of Garretson Gazette

Harrisburg

Santa Claus arrives Friday, Dec. 1, for A Harrisburg Hometown Holiday. Gather at Lake Ole at 5:45 p.m., where he’ll help light the town’s Christmas tree at 6 p.m. The Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce will serve hot chocolate and candy canes, 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.

Old Fashioned Christmas hosted by Lava’s Coffee and The Sandlot will offer a morning of fun Saturday, Dec. 9, in Harrisburg. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides provided by Darrell Vik 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 photos with Santa, crafts and face-painting from 9 a.m. to noon.

The annual “A Prairie Christmas” concerts are expanding to three shows this year. They will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, and at 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Harrisburg High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 Friday and $10 Saturday and can be purchased here.

After 30 years of selling trees and other holiday decor and gifts, the owners of Christmas Tree Acres on Highway 115 sold their business to neighboring Country Apple Orchard. Tree sales started Nov. 15, and the store is stocked with wreaths, decorations, take-and-bake pies and items that will make great gifts. The orchard is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It’s closed Thanksgiving Day and opens earlier on Black Friday at 11 a.m. Also new is a holiday light show that can be watched from the comfort of your car. There are three shows every Wednesday through Sunday from Nov. 24 to Dec. 31. Showtimes are 7, 8 and 9 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. 3. The traditional community breakfast to start the day will be served at the Hartford Fire Station from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. From noon to 4 p.m., there will be activities for the kids with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the fire station, a carnival at the West Central High School gym and a vendor show at the West Central Becker Center. 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 face painting 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, a new nonprofit, is organizing a Christmas craft event for kids from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, in the Humboldt Fire Hall. Decorate ornaments, put together graham cracker gingerbread houses, color and do other Christmas crafts. Santa also will be there for photos and to hear wish lists.

Hurley

The Christmas Extravaganza Craft Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the American Legion Hall. Shop with local vendors while kids enjoy a few activities.

Lennox

The annual Festival of Tables sponsored by the Lennox Band Boosters will be Saturday, Dec. 2, in the LWC Intermediate cafetorium. Tour the decorated tables and raffle items, and enjoy brunch. The high school jazz 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 starting at 11 a.m. Tickets are $10 in advance from band students or by emailing [email protected]. They’re $12 at the door.

Cut your own Christmas tree at Tannenbaum Tree Farm, which is owned by Tim and Claudia Wassom. The farm northeast of Lennox will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Hours this weekend and next are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. No Fraser firs are available again this year, but there are Scotch pine trees and a few other varieties of spruce. Wreaths and door swags will be available, and Claudia Wassom said she hopes to put together a few winter containers too. “The trees are looking very nice, but they’ve barely grown because of the drought,” she said. “They’re shorter, but we’ve got some nice 6- to 7-foot trees. They’re really full; they’re just not as big as people want them to be.” Get updates on availability on the farm’s Facebook page.

Parker

Parker celebrates Hometown Christmas with a Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, 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 and lunch stand from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Building. Find Santa and a kids carnival in the school commons from 1 to 3 p.m.

Salem

Salem Hometown Christmas, hosted by Salem Community Women and the Salem Chamber of Commerce, will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 1. Santa Claus comes to town during the Parade of Lights that starts at 7 p.m. Afterward, Santa will head to the Legion Hall to greet 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. 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

A Taste of Tea Christmas from the Tea Chamber for Development wraps up a campaign to encourage shopping local. Activities will be from 2 to 8 pm. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the American Legion. There’s a vendor fair from 2 to 5 p.m., photos with Santa from 4 to 8 p.m., chili cookoff tasting from 4 to 8 p.m., a grand prize drawing for shoppers at 6:30 p.m. and the Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Tea Community Library on Saturday, Dec. 16. Take a photo with them from 9 to 10:30 a.m. There also will be cookies, face painting and coloring.

Valley Springs

Santa Claus Day is Saturday, Dec. 16. 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 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 6:30 p.m., and admission is free with a donation to help the Food Pantry and V-H Backpack Program. Dec. 3, Gremlins; Dec. 10, National Lampoon Christmas Vacation; Dec. 17, White Christmas; Dec. 24, The Grinch; Dec. 31, It’s a Wonderful Life.

Worthing

Join Santa for doughnuts and photos from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Olde Towne Dinner Theatre. This year, 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.

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