Events

Since 2015, the De Smet Arts Council has welcomed musical guests from across the country for an annual five-show concert series. Representing a broad range of music from multiple genres and decades, these shows draw attendees from across eastern South Dakota. Shows are held once a month from April through September on Sunday afternoons at the Midstate Theater in the De Smet Event & Wellness Center. Tickets are available for each show or as a season ticket package. Call 605-530-0003 for tickets.

Held on the second weekend of June each year, Old Settler’s Day is South Dakota’s longest-running community celebration. The celebration includes a parade at noon, “Show & Shine’ Car Show, music & children's activities on Calumet Avenue (main street), vendor fair, live music, and a pancake feed the following morning. This celebration began in the 1880s and was held north of De Smet. It moved to De Smet in the early 20th century. De Smet residents, current and former, celebrate the town's founding, visit friends new and old, and welcome visitors experiencing the town for the first time.

Watch Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories come to life on the outdoor prairie stage. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant is held across the road from Charles Ingalls’s homestead land, overlooking the cottonwood trees he planted and the Big Slough. Guests enjoy the show while the sun sets on the prairie landscape Laura loved. This family-friendly show is led by volunteer effort. Local talent serves as the cast and tech crew, and local residents greet guests, serve concessions, and assist with parking. Held annually since 1971, join us for a South Dakota tradition!

Artist Harvey Dunn captured the landscape, faces, and spirit of those who homesteaded and settled the De Smet area in his well-known prairie series of paintings. Since 2009, this event has welcomed artists for a weekend to paint and draw the same prairie that inspired Harvey Dunn. Registration is free, and the weekend features events, workshops, and competitions. Artists of all ages, genres, and experience are welcome. A wet sale held on Sunday morning at the De Smet Event & Wellness Center, with art available for public viewing and purchase.

Kick off the holiday season on the first Sunday in De Smet. Stock up on goodies for the season at the annual Cookie Walk hosted by the De Smet Community Women. The Tour of Trees event features a visit from Santa, decorated Christmas Trees, a warm meal, and Christmas carols, and is hosted by the De Smet Area Chamber of Commerce’s Tour of Trees. On Christmas morning, the De Smet Volunteer Firefighters have a long-time tradition of delivering treats to children and grandchildren spending Christmas in De Smet. If you have children visiting for Christmas, please let them know.