5 Incredible Christmas Markets Only in South Dakota

Visiting South Dakota Christmas markets can be like visiting the North Pole! There’s lots of excitement and enchantment, with plenty of unique gifts for the mom and dad ‘Santas’ to pick up. Cold temps add to the winter wonderland scene, providing beautiful views of frozen waterfalls. The occasional snow adds an extra layer of wonder to the outdoor locations. Here are five incredible Christmas markets only in South Dakota.

High Plains Western Heritage Center

Open now through December 20^th, the Christmas Shopper Village will be featuring over 20 local vendors. Located in the city of Spearfish, this market is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Sundays for special events only.

Browse local artists’ works and handmade craft items, and hopefully find a unique Christmas gift for everyone on your list. The High Plains Western Heritage Center is located at 825 Heritage Drive.

Veterans with ID are eligible for free entry, along with children under the age of five. Adults 18 and over are $12 a ticket, while Seniors 65 and over are $10 each. Children under 17 are $5 each. Tickets can be purchased by calling 605.642.9378.

Junkin’ Market Days

This two-day event is set for December 8-9 and is at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds Expo Building in Sioux Falls. Friday hours are 4:00-7:00 p.m., while Saturday is 9:00-4:00 p.m.

Guests pay a flat $5 admission fee to browse one-of-a-kind finds, gourmet foods, boutique clothing, home décor, and jewelry. Candles, furniture, and many more unique gifts can be found at this pop-up market.

Black Hills Christmas Village

Rapid City claims this as one of the most interesting Christmas markets in South Dakota, and for good reason! The year-round store has over 17,000 ornaments and collectibles, including many Mount Rushmore and Black Hills ornaments.  In addition to the unique tree ornaments, there are knick-knacks, greenery, and collectibles.

Another item that gives the holiday spirit is the large variety of nutcracker wooden figures. Short or tall, standard to outrageous, there is a plethora of options for the collector.

For the grinches, the store also has in stock large selections of Halloween items, wine, and dolls. Collectors will enjoy adding to their Elvis collection, or Marilyn Monroe, Coca-Cola, and Disney collections. NFL shelves feature hundreds of licensed items for all 32 teams.

Spearfish Holiday Market

Join in the fun of this annual event in the town of Spearfish. Saturday, December 9^th, beginning at 9:00 a.m., the doors will open for concessions, shopping, and, of course, Santa! The Boy Scouts will be managing the snacks at the concession table, so plan on buying some of their famous holiday popcorn.

Nestled inside the Spearfish Rec & Aquatics Center, which sprawls out over 71,000 square feet, guests can meander through shopping vendors’ booths to find that perfect Christmas keepsake or gift. Doors close at 6:00 p.m.

Craft and Vendor Market

Set for Saturday, December 16^th, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 17^th, from noon until 4:00 p.m., the Watertown Mall is hosting a two-day shopping extravaganza. In the town of Watertown, guests and locals alike can stroll through all the booths.

Also, on hand this weekend is the opportunity to get your kids’ pictures taken with Santa. Snap your own pics (up to 3) for $5.00.

The state’s winter weather will set the atmosphere for a wonderland, while these five Christmas markets in South Dakota will put even the grinch-iest of grinches in a good mood.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Dangubic/iStock via Getty Images