This sweet float was part of the Olde Tyme Christmas Parade in 2025. This year’ s parade promises to be bigger and brighter, heading down Hill City Main Street Friday, Nov. 27 at 6 p. m.
The Hill City Common Council also recently voted to upgrade the light poles on Main Street using Business Improvement District funds so even more lights can be put up downtown.
Many of the lights have been replaced with LEDs thanks to funds donated by Light Up Hill City and additional donations from the South Dakota Railroad Museum. Erica said,“ They’ ll be all over the place.”
“ Through Light Up Hill City, we purchased a lot of trees. And when I say a lot, I think we have almost 70 trees now to put around town, and they’ ll be distributed everywhere,” said Erica.“ We’ ll be trying to bling out every corner of town with these trees.”
Thanks to another recent electrical upgrade, many of these trees will be decorated at the Visitor Information Center, leading down to the pavilion at Ponderosa Park.
The camaraderie of the day will carry over into the afternoon with an after party at the Prairie Dog Tap Room in conjunction with the Hill City Arts Council at 3:30 p. m. There, community members and visitors can gather for ornament painting, cookie decorating, live music and a ceremonial tree lighting.
“ That’ ll be the first thing lit this year in town,” said Erica,“ and we get to just enjoy the holiday season together.”
Saturday, Nov. 21, starts with the Evergreen Bazaar at the Eras Event Center from 9 a. m. to 2 p. m., featuring local crafters.
Nov. 21 is also the opening of the European Christmas Market in Old World Plaza, inspired by the European heritage of several Hill City community members.
“ It’ s something I’ ve always wanted to do, and we’ re just going to give it a try,” said Erica.“ This might be the start of something really great.”
The hope is to have six vendors in different sized booths decorated with lights and handmade cedar wood fronts, created by Robert Della-Schiava, owner of Face the Storm.
The European Christmas Market will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 12-7 p. m., starting Nov. 21 and running through Dec. 19.
Thus far, vendors will include traditional German Christmas fare, a special Light Up Hill City Holiday Mead from Cohort Brewery, mulled wine from With the Wind Winery, German Kinder punch and hot chocolate from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and an ornament booth featuring some European Hill City themed ornaments.“ We want to make this a family thing,” said Erica. Although it was feared the exhibit had seen its final year, the newly renamed Hill City Rick Mills Trees and Trains Exhibit will be located at the Hill City Harley-Davidson Shop this holiday season, starting Nov. 21. Erica said there was no way they could let the Trees and Trains Exhibit cease to continue. She spoke to the corporate managers of the Harley-Davidson Shop, and they said as long as the chamber supplies the insurance and pays for the heat and light, the space could be used for the event.
There is room for about 50 trees, and local businesses and organizations can pay a $ 25 participation fee to set up a custom decorated tree with a corresponding plaque sharing more information about the business. Attendees will be able to vote for their favorite.
Along with the trees, there will be a memorial to Rick Mills, who originally created the event and has since passed away. Model trains will be running around the room as well.
Additionally, students from the Hill City High School photography club will be taking pictures for Christmas
16 Down Country Roads November / December 2026