Events in Deadwood, SD fill the calendar all year, from St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras on Main Street to the Days of ’76 Rodeo in July and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally just down the road in August. Some are free to enjoy, like the Wild Bill Days concerts and the Deadwood Jam, while rodeos and tasting events are ticketed.
Below you’ll find the major Deadwood events by season, with when each typically happens, where it’s held and a link to the official site. Planning for 2027? Dates marked 2027 have been confirmed by the event organizers. Other listings show typical timing, so check the official site before finalizing your plans.
Deadwood & Black Hills Events by Season
Spring Events in Deadwood
2027: March 12-13
St. Patrick’s Day Weekend
A free noon parade on Main Street Saturday, a 21+ pub crawl and a leprechaun scavenger hunt at businesses around town.
2027: April 9-10
Forks, Corks & Kegs
Two days of chef pairings with wine and beer around town, finishing with a Saturday Grand Tasting at Deadwood Mountain Grand. Ticketed, 21+.
Typically mid-May
Hops & Hogs Craft Beer Festival
Craft beer paired with bacon dishes at about 20 downtown venues, with Saturday general admission capped at 300 tickets. 21+.
Typically the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend
Black Hills Motorcycle Show
A custom bike show at Deadwood Mountain Grand, and the winning bikes go on display at the Buffalo Chip during the August rally.
2027: May 30
Back When They Bucked
Memorial Day weekend saddle bronc riding at the Days of ’76 arena, with top riders competing for a big purse and proceeds going to scholarships.
Summer Events in Deadwood
Typically Wednesdays, late May to early September
Outlaw Square Summer Concert Series
Free live music at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in Outlaw Square, right off Main Street. Check the official listing for this year’s concert dates.
Typically the second weekend of June
Deadwood PBR
Professional bull riding under the lights at the Days of ’76 Event Complex, part of the King of the North Showdown series.
Typically Father’s Day weekend in June
Wild Bill Days
Free concerts on Main Street and Outlaw Square, gold panning and Old West reenactments, including the shooting of Wild Bill.
Typically July 4-5
Independence Day
A free Fourth of July parade from the Days of ’76 Event Complex up Main Street and on to Lead, with fireworks over Lead’s Open Cut that night.
2027: July 25-31
Days of ’76 Rodeo
Deadwood’s signature Western celebration, with PRCA rodeo performances at the Days of ’76 Event Complex and a historic parade of horses and wagons up Main Street.
2027: August 6-15 · Sturgis
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Ten days of rides, concerts and bikes from around the world, about 14 miles from Deadwood. Expect the whole region to be busy.
2027: August 17-22
Kool Deadwood Nites
Classic cars and rock ‘n’ roll right after the Rally, with a show and shine, a parade, a classic car auction and free Main Street concerts.
2027: August 20-28 · Rapid City
Central States Fair
Rapid City’s late-summer fair, with a carnival, PRCA rodeo, demolition derby and grandstand concerts.
Year-round · Rapid City
Black Hills Farmers Market
Shop local produce, baked goods and crafts at Market Park in Rapid City. Saturdays run 8 a.m.-1 p.m. May through October and 9 a.m.-noon November through April, with Wednesday markets July through October.
Fall Events in Deadwood
Typically mid-September
Deadwood Jam
A free two-day music festival at Outlaw Square, with national acts across country, rock and blues.
Typically the first weekend of October
Oktoberfest
Wiener dog races, a German car show, a free brat cookoff and beer barrel games on Main Street.
Typically mid-October
Wild West Songwriters Festival
Free writers’ rounds at venues around town and a Saturday night showcase at Deadwood Mountain Grand, with songwriters across country, pop and rock.
Typically Halloween weekend
Deadweird
A 21+ Monster Ball and a costume contest with $5,000 in cash and prizes, plus an all-ages Trunk or Treat and free KidWeird for ages 12 and under.
Typically early November
Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Stroll
An afternoon stroll between downtown businesses with a commemorative wine glass, benefiting Deadwood’s Main Street Initiative. 21+.
Winter Events in Deadwood
Typically December 26 – January 1
New Year’s Eve in Historic Deadwood
A week of casino drawings and ice skating at Outlaw Square, ending with a midnight ball drop at the Historic Franklin Hotel on Main Street.
Typically mid-January
Deadwood Red Dirt Festival
Two nights of red dirt and Texas country headliners in the Deadwood Mountain Grand event center. Ticketed.
2027: January 22-23
Deadwood Snocross Showdown
The ISOC Amsoil Championship Snocross Series races at the Days of ’76 Event Complex. Parking there is limited, so park in town and take the trolley.
2027: February 5-6
Mardi Gras Weekend
A 21+ masquerade ball, free Cajun cookoff sampling with People’s Choice votes that raise money for charity, and a Saturday night parade on Main Street.
2027: February 20
Deadwood’s Big Whiskey
More than 60 whiskeys poured along Main Street, with tickets capped at 300. 21+.
Tips for Event Weekends in Deadwood
01
Park once and ride the trolley
Parking at the Welcome Center lot on the north end of town is free, with 219 spaces, and the trolley takes you anywhere in Deadwood for $2 per person. On busy event weekends, leave the car parked and ride.
02
Know which events are out of town
The Sturgis Rally is about 14 miles away and the Central States Fair is in Rapid City. The trolley only runs inside Deadwood, so plan a driver for those.
03
Check the age rules first
Tasting events like Forks, Corks & Kegs, Hops & Hogs and Big Whiskey are 21+. Festivals like Deadweird split adult events from family ones, so check the schedule if you’re bringing kids.
04
Catch a midweek concert
The Outlaw Square Summer Concert Series plays free live music on Wednesday evenings all summer, so a midweek stay still gets you a night out on the town.
Plan Your Stay Around an Event
The big weekends book up early, especially Wild Bill Days, the Days of ’76 Rodeo and the Sturgis Rally. A vacation rental gives your group room to spread out and a kitchen to come back to, and many of our homes are a short drive or walk from Main Street.