"Christmas Time in Sturgis" is a collaborative holiday effort shared by the whole community! Businesses and public entities come together to create a Christmas village across town, featuring special holiday events, shopping, dining, giveaways, and more! The Sturgis Chamber & Visitors Bureau contributes the official Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Parade of Lights, and the annual Scrooge Night shopping extravaganza. Browse this page as we come closer to the 2025 Christmas season for updates and activities for the whole family to enjoy in Sturgis.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Organized by: Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, November 29th 2025 | 6PM
Join us at our community Tree Lighting Ceremony tradition on the on the last Saturday in November! This family event kicks off a month of festivities with well-wishes from local businesses, a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by our town Mayor, the traditional lighting of the community Christmas tree, hot cocoa and cider stands, and more! Click below to learn about all of the heartwarming activities at this year's Tree Lighting:
Parade of Lights
Organized by: Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce
Friday, December 5th 2025 | 6PM
Sturgis's annual Parade of Lights is one of our most popular events of the year! The parade takes place the evening following the Tree Lighting Ceremony, and features over 50 floats from local businesses and clubs each year. Bundle up the kiddos and enjoy the sparkling display! Floats are judged in several categories for award winners, and businesses lining the parade route frequently feature specials, open houses, and other activities for attendees.
Scrooge Night
Organized by: Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, December 18th 2025
When the clock is ticking to finish holiday shopping, where do you go? Sturgis! Make plans to wrap up your gift list in Sturgis during Scrooge Night just a few days prior to Christmas. Local shops unveil incredible deals, and the whole town turns out to support our businesses and share the holiday spirit. Click below to learn more about this great annual shopping extravaganza:
Sturgis Festival of Trees
Organized by: First Interstate Bank
2025 Date TBA
The Festival of Trees is a local favorite holiday event organized by First Interstate Bank and held to raise money for charitable causes in the community! Businesses and individuals decorate Christmas trees in various themes and donate them to a tree auction. Attendees bring their appetites and their pocket books for a delicious spread of holiday fare and to bid on trees for the benefit of the community! $10 Admission at the door to benefit the Sturgis Kiwanis Food Pantry. In recent years, the event has raised over $50,000 for local charities. This event usually takes place the Friday before Thanksgiving. Click below to learn more:
Downtown Sturgis Holiday Giveaway
Organized by: Downtown Sturgis Foundation
Weekly through the holiday season.
The Downtown Sturgis Foundation's eighth annual Downtown Sturgis Holiday Giveaway offers a chance for you to win from a pool of nearly $5,000 in local business gift card prizes! To enter, simply shop at any participating business in the Downtown Business Improvement District (click below to follow their page). Enter your name and contact information on an entry slip or the back of your receipt every time you shop. Winners are selected live on the Downtown Sturgis, SD Facebook page!
Sturgis Holiday Shopping
Sturgis is home to a surprising variety of "ma and pop" shops with unique finds! Meander around town and find everything you need for your holiday gift-giving list. You'll find quality clothing, antiques, home decor, tools, art, and so much more. Not to mention, most of our local shops feature special deals throughout the holiday season!
