Discover new holiday traditions with quick S.D. road trip

This paid piece is sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Tourism.

Experience Christmas in the 1800s, drink or dine in an igloo and do a scavenger hunt through a hall of trees.

They’re just three ways you can get into the holiday spirit in South Dakota, no matter where in the state you live.

As you prepare to celebrate, South Dakota communities and businesses feature several events to help you get into the holiday spirit. From Christmas tree displays to Christmas traditions that span over a century, you might even add one of these events as a new holiday tradition. And these places are part of the Great Finds of South Dakota program. Get more details about that here. 

Roast chestnuts, celebrate ‘Frontier Christmas’

Christmas wasn’t always about choreographed Christmas light displays or asking Santa for presents. Back when settlers were making their way to Dakota Territory, holiday traditions were smaller and simpler.

The Frontier Christmas at the Fort Sisseton Historic State Park in northeastern South Dakota lets you experience that first-hand.

“We take you back to the 1800s when Christmas was a family tradition where you celebrated with what you had,” said Ali Tonsfeldt, park manager, noting that its event is decades old.

The park is decorated with Christmas trees, all dressed with ornaments and candles fitting for the time period. An original 1860s wood-burning stove is lit up as well for families to make a bread dough ornament to eat. Visitors can even make their own homemade butter on-site.

There’s popcorn for stringing, rides for sleighing and chestnuts for roasting too. Christmas carolers, volunteers dressed as Civil War soldiers and Old Father Christmas, not to be confused with Santa, also will be in attendance.

“You get immersed into a traditional 1800s Christmas,” Tonsfeldt said. “It puts you in the Christmas spirit for the rest of the season.”

Frontier Christmas will be held at the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. A $5 lunch will be served as a fundraiser for the Fort Sisseton Commission. A South Dakota state park entrance license is required to enter the park, which costs $8 a day or $36 annually.

“This is a tradition for a lot of community and family members in the area. It’s a Christmas tradition that starts the season off,” Tonsfeldt said. “This event is a reminder for community members and visitors to slow down, be with family, enjoy a Christmas tradition and enjoy what South Dakota’s history as to offer.”

Watch snow fall from inside igloo in Black Hills

There’s a better way to experience the magic of a Black Hills winter without sitting in the cold or trudging through snow.

Gather with friends and family inside an igloo at Miner Brewing Co. in Hill City. They aren’t just any igloos – they’re see-through igloos using a “greenhouse effect” to keep guests warm. There’s also a space heater to keep the spaces cozy after the sun sets, said Shanna Hockert, brand and marketing manager at the brewery.

With plenty of snow out on the brewing company’s concert lawn next to Prairie Berry Winery, it’s the perfect space for children – or the young at heart – to host snowball fights or build a snowman. The space even features a small hill children can sled down.

The igloos are perfect for family gatherings, work outings or even engagements. Each igloo comfortably can seat six adults and is equipped with patio furniture, cushions and tables.

“Mother Nature gives them a special ambiance,” Hockert said. “You can see the snow around you, and you can see the stars if you’re out at night.”

It’s a perfect fit for those who want to get the most of the Black Hills.

“People are out here getting Christmas trees, hiking or snowshoeing,” Hockert said. “We’re an extension of that where you can still enjoy Mother Nature and the beautiful surroundings we have while also enjoying a craft beverage or food from the kitchen.”

Tour the Hall of Trees in Yankton

Part of Christmas’ magic is the joy of seeing a lit Christmas tree at night – it softens the cold around you and reminds you that beautiful things can be simple too.

This year, you can celebrate that special moment at the Mead Cultural Education Center, soon to be the Mead Museum, at the Yankton State Hospital historic campus. The museum features over 65 Christmas trees decorated by community businesses and organizations.

While the museum typically is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, the museum is open until 8 p.m. each Wednesday in December for visitors to experience the magic of the Christmas trees at night.

Not only that, but families can watch Christmas movies in the museum, play board games and eat complimentary popcorn, said Crystal Nelson, executive director.

“This is something we really hope will be added to people’s traditional holiday lists,” Nelson said. “Meet at the Mead, see friends and socialize while everyone is home for the holidays.”

Each tree costs $50 for businesses to decorate and display, with funds raised going toward free museum admission costs for children during the month of December. Usually, adult admission costs $8, seniors costs $5 and children costs $5.

“It’s important to our mission to make sure the museum is available for learners of all ages,” Nelson said.

The museum is free in December, through the Hall of Trees program, and in June. In addition to the history of Yankton, Yankton County and Dakota Territory, Mead is also home to a children’s museum full of hands-on activities.

Kids can play a Christmas tree scavenger hunt or bingo game throughout the museum, adults can warm up with hot cocoa or coffee from the bar, and families can participate in ornament or cookie decorating. Santa makes a visit to Mead each Sunday ahead of Christmas as well.

Nelson expects close to 2,000 people will make the Hall of Trees part of their holiday experience this year.

Another seasonal event in southeast South Dakota is Homestead Holidays from 5 to 9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Christmas at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City.

Give the gift of local

Still looking for the perfect gift? South Dakota galleries, museums and heritage centers across the state offer beautiful, unique items at their outstanding gift shops — some even with online shopping.

The South Dakota Art Museum store in Brookings and online features unique pieces of original art from South Dakota artists, including handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings and stone beads. The store also sells books on South Dakota history and culture, and others works by South Dakota authors.

The South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre offers a wide variety of gifts, also available online, including the annual state Capitol collectible Christmas ornament, children’s books, iconic Rushmore Mountain Taffy, T-shirts featuring the Dignity statue and more. Heritage store proceeds benefit the South Dakota State Historical Society.

The Heritage Center at Mahpiya Luta in Red Cloud purchases and sells thousands of dollars worth of locally made Lakota tribal arts and fine arts. The shop’s handmade Lakota items include beadwork, star quilts, woodwork, clothing and jewelry, books and artwork. The center has an online gift shop.

Termesphere Gallery and Museum in Spearfish is filled with rotating spherical paintings by artist Dick Termes. The gallery includes a gift shop selling reproduced globes, stickers, posters and other souvenirs.

Ready for a trip off the typical tourism path? Explore S.D. Great Finds