Here’s What’s Happening in the Sioux Empire

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE SIOUX EMPIRE?

ZOO BOO…. Great Plains Zoo...Explore the entire Great Plains Zoo campus with free-flowing trick-or-treat stations, unique decorations, and plenty of photo-ops! (https://www.greatzoo.org/zooboo/)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 | 5–9 pm
5 pm: ZooBoo opens for Early Access ticket holders
6 pm: ZooBoo opens for General Admission
5–8:30 pm: Live DJ near Penguins
5–8:30 pm: Scary Stroll presented by GoodTimes Entertainment
6:30–7:15 pm: Zombie Dancers near Penguins
5–9 pm: Vendor trick-or-treat stations
8 pm: Final admission
9 pm: ZooBoo closes

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 | 10–9 pm
10 am: ZooBoo opens for General Admission
10–7: Vendor trick-or-treat stations
10–2: Live DJ near Penguins
10–2: Scary Stroll presented by GoodTimes Entertainment
2–5 pm: Characters by Simply Ever After
5–7:30 pm: Live DJ near Penguins
5–7:30 pm: Scary Stroll
7:45–8:30 pm: SD Aerial Show on Primate Lawn
8 PM: Final admission
9 PM: ZooBoo closes

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 | 10–5 pm
SENSORY DAY
10: ZooBoo opens for General Admission
MendIt 605's 3D-Printed Butterfly & Giraffe Giveaway (while supplies last)
10–11: Crafts at Snow Monkeys
10:30: Animal Meet & Greet
11–11:30: Juggler
11–3: Vendor trick-or-treat stations
12–3: Characters by Simply Ever After
2–2:30: Juggler
3–4: Crafts at Snow Monkeys
3:30: Bookworms in the Education Classroom
4: Final admission
5: ZooBoo closes

SIOUX FALLS STAMPEDE HOCKEY…Denny Sanford Premier Center (sfstampede.com)
Oct 20 (Tue) 7:05 PM vs Lincoln Stars
Oct 23 (Fri) 7:05 PM vs Omaha Lancers
Oct 25 (Sun) 5:05 PM vs Fargo Force
Nov 7 (Sat) 6:05 PM vs Fargo Force
Nov 10 (Tue) 7:05 PM vs Fargo Force
Nov 28 (Sat) 6:05 PM vs Lincoln Stars
Dec 11 (Fri) 7:05 PM vs Sioux City Musketeers
Dec 18 (Fri) 7:05 PM vs Waterloo Black Hawks
Dec 19 (Sat) 6:05 PM vs Waterloo Black Hawks
Dec 28 (Mon) 7:05 PM vs Fargo Force
Dec 31 (Thu) 6:05 PM vs Lincoln Stars

SIOUX FALLS SKYFORCE BASKETBALL…Sanford Pentagon (siouxfalls.gleague.nba.com)
Nov 20 (Fri) 7:00 PM vs Windy City Bulls
Nov 21 (Sat) 7:00 PM vs Windy City Bulls
Nov 25 (Wed) 6:30 PM vs Cleveland Charge
Nov 27 (Fri) 7:00 PM vs Wisconsin Herd
Nov 29 (Sun) 3:00 PM vs Wisconsin Herd
Dec 4 (Fri) 7:00 PM vs Motor City Cruise
Dec 5 (Sat) 7:00 PM vs Motor City Cruise

Now thru October 31st...JAYCEES FEARGROUNDS HAUNTED HOUSE...WH Lyon Fairgrounds...October 16, 17 - 7:00 p.m.– Midnight; Bargain Night: October 22 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. ($10 tickets); October 23, 24 - 7:00 p.m.– Midnight; Blackout Night, Oct. 29: 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m; October 30, 31 - 7:00 p.m.- Midnight  (https://jayceesfeargrounds.com/tickets/)

Now thru October 31st…HEARTLAND COUNTRY CORN MAZE...Navigate through a design of an eagle commemorating America's 250th birthday! Enjoy a walk through the wonderful natural environment provided by maturing corn. Our 11-acre life-size maze carved out of towering corn stalks is a fun and unique experience sure to please! The maze is open Friday: 5pm-8pm, Saturday: 12pm-8pm, and Sunday: 12pm-5pm. Native American Day Hours on October 12th is 12 pm-5pm (https://www.heartlandcountrycornmaze.com/)

Now thru October 31…FERNSON FALL JAUNT…$20 per rider. Hop on a Jaunt e-bike or bring your own bike and experience Sioux Falls in full fall color with the Fernson Fall Jaunt — a self-guided, interactive ride starting and ending at Fernson Downtown. Follow the interactive ride on your phone as you cruise along the Big Sioux River Greenway toward Cherry Rock. Along the way, enjoy fun photo opportunities, challenges, and fall-themed trivia before looping back to Fernson. A portion of ticket proceeds supports The Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving meal program for local families. Fernson Fall Jaunt is open to all ages. Jaunt e-bike riders must be age 14 or older. (https://www.electricjaunt.com/store/p/fernson-fall-jaunt)

Now thru October 31…GHOSTS & GEARS…$25 per rider. Hop on a Jaunt e-bike or bring your own bike and experience a stranger side of Sioux Falls with Ghosts & Gears — a self-guided, interactive ride through some of the city’s spookiest true stories. Follow an interactive map along the Big Sioux River Greenway as you uncover tales of mystery, murder, the macabre, and nearly forgotten Sioux Falls history. Stories and stops unfold throughout the ride, allowing you to complete the experience at your own pace. A portion of ticket proceeds supports The Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving meal program for local families. Ghosts & Gears is open to all ages. Jaunt e-bike riders must be age 14 or older. (https://www.electricjaunt.com/store/p/ghosts-gears-sioux-falls)

Now thru November 30: CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK/DAIRY QUEEN Key Tag promotion…Buy a $2 key tag at Sioux Falls, Tea, Harrisburg, or Brandon DQ locations and receive a malt for just $1 each time you visit those DQs through Nov. 30, 2026. $1 from every key tag will be donated to Sanford Children’s Hospital through Children’s Miracle Network.

Now thru November 29th...SIOUX FALLS LEAF & BRANCH DROP SITES…Sioux Falls residents can dispose of leaves and branches. Free of charge.

• North Lyon Boulevard, near the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds. Access is available from West 12th Street or West Madison Street.
• Chambers Street, just west of the city’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1015 E. Chambers St. Access is available from North Cliff Avenue.

Open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sunday. (Closed Thanksgiving Day)

October 17 (Saturday)…BRANDON FARMERS MARKET…9:00AM-1:00PM at 925 N. Splitrock Blvd in Brandon. You might find apples, fresh produce, local meats, farm fresh eggs, honey, baked goods, wine, handmade gifts, and more. (http://www.brandonsdfarmersmarket.com/)

October 17 (Saturday)…HARTFORD FARMERS MARKET…8:00AM-12:00PM at Jordan Park near the Hartford Rec Center. Free admission. You’ll find seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, bakery items, honey, organic eggs, bread goods, arts and crafts, and more. (www.hartfordsdfarmersmarket.com)

October 17 (Saturday)…FALLS PARK FARMERS MARKET…The Market runs Saturdays from 8am-1pm at the Falls Park picnic shelter. You’ll find fresh flowers, vegetables, meat, baked goods, and more. Have a cup of coffee and enjoy a slice of breakfast pizza. Stick around and have lunch and dessert. Live music every week. (https://www.fallsparkfarmersmarket.com/)

October 18 (Sunday)...SPRINGDALE LUTHERAN CHURCH SOUP & PIE AND BAKE SALE…4:00-6:00PM at Springdale Lutheran Church located at 26946 480th Ave. 2&½ miles north of Lake Alvin, or from 26th St. & Hwy 11, go 3 miles south, 2 miles east, ½ mile south. There will also be a Bazaar.

October 22 (Thursday)…LAKE LORRAINE FARMERS MARKET…4:00-6:30PM on the east side of the lake between Hobby Lobby and Dave & Buster’s. You’ll find vegetables and microgreens, baked goods and sweet treats, meat, eggs, sauces and salsas, flowers, plants, seedlings, food trucks, and more. (www.lakelorrainesiouxfalls.com)

October 24 (Saturday)…BRANDON FARMERS MARKET…9:00AM-1:00PM at 925 N. Splitrock Blvd in Brandon. You might find apples, fresh produce, local meats, farm-fresh eggs, honey, baked goods, wine, handmade gifts, and more. (http://www.brandonsdfarmersmarket.com/)

October 24 (Saturday)…FALLS PARK FARMERS MARKET…The Market runs Saturdays from 8am-1pm at the Falls Park picnic shelter. You’ll find fresh flowers, vegetables, meat, baked goods, and more. Have a cup of coffee and enjoy a slice of breakfast pizza. Stick around and have lunch and dessert. Live music every week. (https://www.fallsparkfarmersmarket.com/)

October 24 (Saturday)…HARTFORD FARMERS MARKET…8:00AM-12:00PM at Jordan Park near the Hartford Rec Center. Free admission. You’ll find seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, bakery items, honey, organic eggs, bread goods, arts and crafts, and more. (www.hartfordsdfarmersmarket.com) 

October 29 (Thursday)…LAKE LORRAINE FARMERS MARKET...4:00-6:30PM on the east side of the lake between Hobby Lobby and Dave & Buster’s. You’ll find vegetables and microgreens, baked goods and sweet treats, meat, eggs, sauces and salsas, flowers, plants, seedlings, food trucks, and more. (www.lakelorrainesiouxfalls.com)

October 30 (Friday)...HALLOWEEN CHARITY COSTUME PARTY…8:00 PM…The District…A night of fun and live music featuring the Johnny Holm Band. Proceeds benefit Call to Freedom, Mission Haiti, and The Community Outreach. (https://thedistrictsf.com/concert-venue/)  

October 31 (Saturday)…BRANDON FARMERS MARKET…9:00AM-1:00PM at 925 N. Splitrock Blvd in Brandon. You might find apples, fresh produce, local meats, farm fresh eggs, honey, baked goods, wine, handmade gifts, and more. (http://www.brandonsdfarmersmarket.com/)

October 31 (Saturday)…HARTFORD FARMERS MARKET…8:00AM-12:00PM at Jordan Park near the Hartford Rec Center. Free admission. You’ll find seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, bakery items, honey, organic eggs, bread goods, arts and crafts, and more. (www.hartfordsdfarmersmarket.com)

October 31 (Saturday)…FALLS PARK FARMERS MARKET…The Market runs Saturdays from 8am-1pm at the Falls Park picnic shelter. You’ll find fresh flowers, vegetables, meat, baked goods, and more. Have a cup of coffee and enjoy a slice of breakfast pizza. Stick around and have lunch and dessert. Live music every week. (https://www.fallsparkfarmersmarket.com/)

October 31 (Saturday)…GYM FULL OF GOODIES...9:00 AM - 2:00 PM...Larchwood (IA) Recreational Center...The Annual Craft Show and Bake Sale is free and also has coffee and rolls available 9-10:30am and a lunch from 10:30 am - 1:00 pm.

November 1 - November 30: CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK/CIRCLE K STORES POS CAMPAIGN…The annual Circle K campaign is a point of sale campaign at select Circle K locations around the country, by Business Unit. The Balloon Icon campaign will allow for customers to donate $1, $5, or "open donation" they'd like.

November 1 - November 30: CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK/VALVOLINE BALLOON CAMPAIGN…During the campaign, customers can purchase a CMN balloon by donating $1 or more and, in return, receive a coupon for 10% off their total invoice.

November 1 - December 31: CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK/ACE HARDWARE HOLIDAY ROUND-UP…Ace stores across the country will once again invite customers to Round Up their purchases to support their local Children’s Miracle Network hospital.

December 1 (Tue): SANFORD CHILDREN’S CASTLE TREE LIGHTING…6:00PM…The tree lighting ceremony will be held on the Sanford Children’s Hospital front lawn. Hot cocoa and sweet treats will be served.

December 4, 5, 6 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)...DISNEY ON ICE: FIND YOUR HERO…Denny Sanford Premier Center. Featuring characters from Encanto, Moana, and Frozen. Hosted by Mickey and Friends, the production brings favorite Disney stories to life through skating and music. There are also appearances from Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Belle (Beauty & The Beast), Rapunzel, and Stitch (Lilo & Stitch). 12/4: 7:00 PM; 12/5: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM; 12/6: 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM (https://www.dennysanfordpremiercenter.com/)

December 12 (Saturday)...Jonas Brothers at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. The Jonas Brothers are taking fans back to the beginning with “The Burning Up Tour: All Over Again.” This will mark the first visit to South Dakota for the band. Showtime is at 7:30 PM (https://www.dennysanfordpremiercenter.com/)

January 8 (Friday) HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS…Denny Sanford PREMIER Center…7:00 PM…The basketball legends bring more than 100 years of history to town for one family-friendly night on the court. (https://www.dennysanfordpremiercenter.com/)

February 21 (Sunday) JAY LENO…7:00 PM…Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort (https://tickets.grandfallscasinoresort.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=269) 

March 29 (Monday) HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS…Dacotah Bank Center in Brookings…7:00 PM…The basketball legends bring more than 100 years of history to town for one family-friendly night on the court. (https://www.dacotahbankcenter.com/)

April 9, 10, 11 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)...PBR UNLEASH THE BEAST TOUR…Denny Sanford PREMIER Center…Friday: 6:45 PM, Saturday: 6:45 PM, Sunday: Finale and Championship Round starts at 1:45 PM (https://www.dennysanfordpremiercenter.com/)

FAMILY FUN THINGS TO DO IN SIOUX FALLS

OUTDOOR CAMPUS…at 4500 S. Oxbow Avenue in Sertoma Park. Enjoy hands-on experiences in hunting, fishing, outdoor skills, and conservation science. Free educational classes for youth, adults, and families are held throughout the year. Visitors can explore indoor exhibits, an outdoor playscape, and over 2 miles of trails for walking and cross-country skiing. Hours are 8 am- 5 pm Monday-Friday, 10 am-4 pm Saturday, and closed on Sundays and state holidays. (https://gfp.sd.gov/toc-east/)

(Wednesdays-Sundays)…SIOUX FALLS STATE THEATER…Experience the restored State Theater in downtown Sioux Falls with comfortable recliners with a table, fantastic picture quality, and reserved seating. See this week’s movies and showtimes on our website. (https://siouxfallsstatetheatre.org/)

STOCKYARDS AG EXPERIENCE…Located at Falls Park. The Stockyards Ag Experience will communicate the story of agriculture in our economy and society and showcase its impact on our region. It celebrates the past, present, and future of agriculture. The Farm to Table exhibit tells the story of how food goes from the farm to your table with dynamic interactive exhibits and informative display panels.   (https://www.stockyardsagexperience.org/)