If you’re looking for a place to celebrate Christmas this year, look no further. Deadwood has wrapped itself in more holiday cheer than Clark Griswold, with a whole month of festivities, including concerts, decorating contests, and great deals on gifts and food.
To start, we’re ringing in the holiday season with the Deadwood Community Christmas and Tree Lighting event on Dec. 6, 2024, at Outlaw Square. This year also marks the fifth anniversary of Outlaw Square, Deadwood’s amazing outdoor community and entertainment space.
This free, family-friendly event is from 3 to 6:30pm, starting with free ice skating from 3 to 5pm and ½-priced bumper car rides from 5 to 9pm. Make yourself a sweet treat from 5-7pm with s’mores-making, holiday treats and hot cocoa. The Deadwood Chamber Community Recognition Awards will be announced at 5:30pm. Then, gather round and enjoy the glow of lights at the official tree-lighting ceremony at 6pm, followed by a very special visit from Santa at 6:30pm (we heard he’ll even be passing out gifts).
But Deadwood doesn’t stop the festivities there. The Deadwood Main Street Initiative Committee and Deadwood Chamber are hosting the Let’s Light Up Deadwood holiday decorating contest for businesses and residents.
Registration is open until Dec. 1, 2024, with voting from Dec. 2 to Dec. 20. Call 605-578-1876 or email [email protected] to register. Winners will receive $2,000 in cash and prizes. They’ll be chosen by popular vote, with one winner from Deadwood businesses and one from each Deadwood neighborhood.
If you don’t want to compete but love to look at lights, you can also visit Lead during its Light Up Lead Christmas light decorating event. Check their website for a list of participating locations.
Deadwood’s Holiday Ho-Ho-Horseshoe event continues through Dec. 30, 2024, at Silverado, Madame Peacocks, Saloon #10 Mercantile, Mr. Wu’s, and The Landmark Casino.
You can buy a unique Deadwood holiday ornament (a horseshoe) from participating locations, and get a chance to win prizes. Each horseshoe has a number that could correspond to a prize at one of the participating locations. Then it’s up to you to see if you’re a winner – participating businesses will have the numbers displayed. If you find a matching number, you win a prize worth at least $50. Up to 100 of the horseshoes are winners. All of the horseshoe purchases include a limited edition commemorative holiday postcard by local artist Cari Thrall.
Ornaments are $12 each or five for $50, and there is no limit on how many you can buy – but there are a limited number of horseshoes for sale.
Check the Deadwood Chamber website, for up-to-date information on skiing and snowmobiling conditions.
No matter which festivities you decide to join (why not all of them?), we would love to be your host. First Gold has free on-site parking, the outstanding Horseshoe Restaurant, and a variety of gaming to keep you entertained all weekend long.
Give us a call at 800-274-1876 or visit our website to book your room today.
Other events in Deadwood this month:
Christmas tours of the historic Adams House
What: See the halls of the historic Adams House fully decked for the holidays during these open house-style tours. All attendees will receive a free gift, and there will be a coin scavenger hunt for children.
When: Friday through Sunday on Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22, from 1 to 5pm each day
Where: The Historic Adams House in Deadwood
Cost: Tickets are $8 for members, $12 for non-members, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Tickets are available at DeadwoodHistory.com or at the door.
Home Free – Any Kind of Christmas tour
What: The a cappella group Home Free will entertain with their Christmas tour, performing holiday classics and modern takes with their signature Nashville-influenced sound.
When: 7pm on Dec. 5, 2024
Where: Deadwood Mountain Grand
Cost: Tickets start at $39, with VIP packages starting at $124, and are available online.
One Night in Memphis
What: A tribute concert to legendary musicians Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley, with live performances of their biggest hits.
When: 8pm on Dec. 28, 2024
Where: Deadwood Mountain Grand
Cost: Tickets are $14 to $34, and are available online.
New Year’s Eve
Say goodbye to 2024 in style with a New Year’s Eve party in Deadwood. The Deadwood Trolley will run from 8am to 2am on New Year’s Eve. Check the Deadwood Chamber website for more event details as they become available.
