Fall Festivals for Family Fun in South Dakota
The leaves are changing colors, the air is a little crisper, and Halloween is just around the corner—it’s finally falling! With spooky nights, pumpkin spice, and cozy sweaters, autumn is one of the best seasons. To make the most of your season, check out these excellent fall festivals in South Dakota!
Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival, Rapid City, SD
Rapid City’s Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival has activities for every conceivable pumpkin activity, with pumpkin carving, pumpkin dish cooking challenge, the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, pumpkin catapult, and (of course) a pumpkin patch. One of the most anticipated events is the pumpkin catapult. Teams from local high schools and colleges face off to see who constructed the best catapult. Another fun event is the pumpkin weigh off. Local farmers worked to grow the largest pumpkin possible, and the heaviest one wins a prize! One year, the biggest pumpkin weighed in at 1,292 pounds! The festival has shopping, food vendors, crafts, games, and music. Afterwards, take part in the downtown Pumpkin Pub Crawl.
Great Scarecrow Festival, Huron, SD
It won’t only be the scarecrows that are spooky at this fall festival. Huron’s Great Scarecrow Festival judges weird, comical, and frightening scarecrow creations. This unique festival is the perfect kickoff to autumn! It is held in the town in mid-October. Check the city’s website for this year’s dates.
Fall in the Park at Lewis & Clark, Yankton, SD
The scenic Lewis and Clark Recreation Area hosts the annual fall celebration for the city of Yankton. Under the beautiful changing fall foliage are fun activities for the whole family. There will be live music, obstacle course, archery, air rifles, games, crafts, Dutch oven cooking, and more. Fall in the Park at Lewis & Clark is one event that cannot be missed!
Autumn Festival, Sioux Falls, SD
The annual Sioux Falls Autumn Festival is an arts and crafts fair. It is held each year in late October at the Denny Sanford Premier Center Arena & Convention Center. This festive event features seemingly endless fall-themed vendors. Wander the rows of vendors and look at various products, from fabric to art to food. Whether a craft expert or just curious, this Autumn Festival has something for everyone!
South Dakota Film Festival, Aberdeen, SD
If you're a movie buff, you won't want to miss the South Dakota Film Festival held in Aberdeen. Filmmakers from around the region come to Aberdeen to show off their latest works and it gives film lovers a chance to support up-and-coming artists.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival in Rapid City offers a variety of pumpkin-themed activities
- Huron's Great Scarecrow Festival features unique and spooky scarecrow creations
- Fall in the Park at Lewis & Clark in Yankton offers family-friendly activities under beautiful fall foliage
- Sioux Falls Autumn Festival is an arts and crafts fair with a wide variety of vendors
- South Dakota Film Festival in Aberdeen showcases works from regional filmmakers
