Sturgis Festivals
From summer concerts on Main Street to a glittering holiday parade, Sturgis hosts community events all year long. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a visitor passing through the Black Hills, there’s always a reason to come downtown. Here’s a look at our signature festivals and events.
Sturgis Art Festival
Held downtown on the first Saturday in June, the Sturgis Art Festival celebrates the fine arts community of the Sturgis area and the Black Hills. Browse art and craft vendors, enjoy food and drink, listen to live music, and join free kids’ activities. The festival often includes special features like a downtown ArtWalk, and it’s surrounded by Sturgis’s year-round shops and eateries. Admission is free, and parking is available on nearby streets.
Sturgis Battle of the Bands
Part of the Art Festival, the Legendary Sturgis Battle of the Bands brings bands from across the country to compete on the Main Stage at Harley-Davidson Rally Point. The multi-genre competition welcomes groups of all ages and sizes and offers cash prizes, performance opportunities, and other awards. The event is organized by the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, which also welcomes sponsors, and it’s a great way to hear up-and-coming talent.
Music on Main
Every summer, Wednesday nights in downtown Sturgis come alive with Music on Main, a concert and mountain bike race series. Gather from 6 to 9 PM for live music, local food trucks, drinks, and community activities. The mountain bike races are open to riders of all levels and take place alongside the concerts. Bring a lawn chair, invite your friends, and enjoy a Sturgis summer evening.
Sturgis Fall Festival
Each October, the Sturgis Fall Festival fills Harley-Davidson Rally Point with autumn fun, and it’s free to attend. Expect live music, craft and food vendors, a beer and wine tasting tent featuring local producers, hay rides and pony rides for the kids, and a Touch-a-Truck display. Awards are presented on the main stage for contests such as the Garden Display Competition and the kids’ coloring contest. In the evening, adults can join a pub crawl through downtown.
Sturgis Restaurant Showdown
In the days leading up to the Fall Festival, Sturgis restaurants, bars, and eateries compete to create the most inventive dish or drink around a featured theme ingredient. Pick up a free punch card, sample the specials around town, and vote for your favorite. The winner earns bragging rights as the Showdown champion, announced at the Fall Festival, and many specials stay on the menu through the rest of the month.
Small Business Saturday
Sturgis proudly joins the national Small Business Saturday campaign on the last Saturday in November. Local shops offer special deals, giveaways, door prizes, and treats to encourage everyone to #ShopSturgis and shop local. Small businesses give back to our community through support for local teams, nonprofits, and projects, so every purchase makes a difference. Check in with the Chamber for participating businesses and free Small Business Saturday gear.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Kick off the holiday season at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Harley-Davidson Rally Point. Local organizations offer free candy canes, hot cocoa, cider, popcorn, and other treats, and adults can pick up a hot toddy from The Loud American. The mayor invites children on stage to read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas before counting down to the lighting of the tree.
Parade of Lights
On the Friday after the Tree Lighting Ceremony, local businesses and organizations roll through downtown on floats decked out in lights, competing for awards like Best Lights and Best Sound. It’s one of the best-attended events of the year, so bundle up and find a spot along the route. Browse the shops before, during, and after the parade.
Scrooge Night
Did Christmas sneak up on you? Scrooge Night is a beloved Sturgis tradition held right before Christmas, giving you one last chance to finish your holiday shopping. Participating shops stay open late with special promotions, which in past years have included deep discounts, door prizes, BOGO offers, and drinks and treats for shoppers. Contact the Chamber for a list of participating businesses.
Community Calendar
Looking for even more events? Check out our Community Calendar! You can find everything from book club meet-ups to bake sales and bazaars:
Stay Connected
For current dates, times, and details, visit each festival’s page, check our Community Calendar, or follow the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau on Facebook and Instagram. Interested in becoming a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer? Contact the Chamber at (605) 347-2556 or submit your inquiry: