Community Calendar

The 8th Annual Mead Museum Hall of Trees will feature 80 Christmas trees, uniquely decorated by area businesses and organizations.

The public is invited to enjoy 80 beautifully, uniquely decorated Christmas trees on all three floors of the Mead Museum in Yankton South Dakota. Community businesses and organizations join together for this special tradition. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, enjoy free hot cocoa and coffee - and kids will enjoy a scavenger hunt. This year's foyer theme is 1950s Red Carpet Christmas by LilyCrest - Framing, Décor & Gifts Gallery of Downtown Yankton.

Santa visits on Sundays in December (7th, 14th and 21st). From 2-4pm.
Experience Friday Night Lights - see the trees, enjoy live Christmas music and other special details until 8 PM.

Open daily Nov 28-Dec 31 (closed Dec 25th)
Weekdays 10am-5pm and Fridays open until 8pm. Weekends 1-5pm.

Members and kids are free. $10 admission for adults and $8 for 65+.
All the details at www.meadbuilding.org/HallOfTrees.

Join us for our Wisdom, Innovation, Networking (WIN) Luncheon at The Rushmore Hotel & Suites with spotlight speaker Nora Leinen from the Rural Philanthropy Institute. Philanthropy and generosity are ingrained in the ethics and culture of South Dakota. We are people who help neighbors, support our community, and take care of each other. As the third sector, nonprofits are an important part of the economic ecosystem and the more we find ways to collaborate, the stronger our communities become. During this presentation, we will discuss how partnerships with nonprofits can become a sustainable part of our everyday business, getting away from the transactional and getting into the actionable, creating a better tomorrow for us all!

Rare Jefferson Peace Medal Exhibit at Mead Museum

An original 220-year old Jefferson Peace Medal on loan to the Mead Museum is on display as part of the Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures exhibit. The 4-inch Jefferson Peace Medal is extremely rare and a historically significant artifact from the early 19th century.
The peace medals were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson as part of diplomatic efforts with Native American tribes, serving as symbols of goodwill and alliance between the U.S. government and Indigenous leaders. The Lewis & Clark Expedition handed out 89 of them to leaders of Native Nations on their journey between 1804-1806. This medal is one of less than 5 on display in the world!
In addition to the peace medal, the Journeying Forward exhibit also had an upgrade in its history of the Ihanktonwan and Oceti Sakowin Nations, an important narrative to Yankton regional history.
The Mead Museum is located at 82 Mickelson Dr in Yankton SD. The Museum is open weekdays 10AM to 5PM and on Saturdays/Sundays from 1PM to 5PM.

Did you know Aberdeen Magazine has recipes? Join us for an exciting food demonstration hosted by the editor of Aberdeen Magazine, Annie Scott, and where culinary creativity meets delicious flavors! In this exclusive event, the editor will walk you through a mouthwatering recipe, sharing insider tips and tricks for creating a dish that's both simple and impressive. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just looking to expand your cooking repertoire, this event promises to be a tasty experience you won't want to miss!
When: Tuesday, December 9th Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM Age: General/Adult Registration: No registration required

The University Libraries at the University of South Dakota is presenting its biennial international altered book exhibition “Bound and Unbound VIII,” juried by Bratislava, Slovakia-based altered book artist and illustrator, Isobelle Ouzman, now through Jan. 5, 2026.

“Bound and Unbound VIII” is located in the exhibition cases on the second floor of the I.D. Weeks Library. It is open to the public for viewing during library operating hours, which can be found online. The exhibition can also be viewed online in the Digital Library of South Dakota https://explore.digitalsd.org/digital/collection/exhibitions/search/searchterm/Bound%20and%20Unbound%208:%20Altered%20Book%20Exhibition/field/relatig/mode/exact/conn/and.

The University Libraries Art and Exhibits Committee, sponsor of the exhibition, seeks to showcase a diverse range of international altered book art, to present the work locally and to build an online research collection of altered books.

Step into the magic of the season at our Nordic Yule Market, open October 11 – January 10 at the South Dakota Art Museum Shop! Inspired by traditional Nordic and German holiday markets, this festive shopping experience features:
• Handcrafted gifts from Nordic and local artists (50 new vendors!)
• Special events including live music, sip & shop, and family-friendly activities
• A cozy reading corner
• Meet & greets with your favorite characters
• Free gift wrapping on select days
 
Every purchase supports museum exhibitions and programming—thank you for making a difference with your holiday shopping!
 
Mark your calendars for extra-special dates:
• Nov. 20–22: Gifting for Good Holiday Sale (with area cultural institution stores!)
• Dec. 4: Sip & Shop with Nordic band Project Constellation & free gift wrapping
• December 13, 10 – 12: Meet Anna and Elsa at Community Art Day!
• Open until 7 on Thursday's in November and December
 
Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and event details!
 
Event Dates/Times:
Open October 11th – January 10th
• Saturday’s 10 – 4
• Sunday’s 12 – 4

• Monday – Friday’s 10 – 5

• Open until 7 on Thursdays in November and December

• Open until 8 on Friday, October 24th
• December 18th 5 – 7, Santa Meet and Greet
 
Closure dates:
• October 13th

• November 11th

• November 27th

• November 28th

• December 25th

• December 26th

• January 1st

• January 4th

Introduce your child to the magical world of books and language through engaging stories, lively songs, and fun activities
Story Time is thoughtfully designed to support early literacy development and help prepare your child for future school success. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for young children to build social skills and make new friends.
Each session features a new theme or topic, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. Programs typically last about 30 minutes. No registration is required—just drop in! Caregivers are expected to attend with their children.
When: Every other Wednesday starting September 3rd through November 26th
Time: 10:00-10:30AM Registration: No registration required
Themes:
- Sept 17th – Rabbits
- Oct 1st – Author Feature – Melanie Watt
- Oct 15th – Zoo
- Oct 29th – Halloween (can wear costumes if they want)
- Nov 12th – Polar Bears
- Nov 26th – Dinosaurs

The 8th Annual Mead Museum Hall of Trees will feature 80 Christmas trees, uniquely decorated by area businesses and organizations.

The public is invited to enjoy 80 beautifully, uniquely decorated Christmas trees on all three floors of the Mead Museum in Yankton South Dakota. Community businesses and organizations join together for this special tradition. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, enjoy free hot cocoa and coffee - and kids will enjoy a scavenger hunt. This year's foyer theme is 1950s Red Carpet Christmas by LilyCrest - Framing, Décor & Gifts Gallery of Downtown Yankton.

Santa visits on Sundays in December (7th, 14th and 21st). From 2-4pm.
Experience Friday Night Lights - see the trees, enjoy live Christmas music and other special details until 8 PM.

Open daily Nov 28-Dec 31 (closed Dec 25th)
Weekdays 10am-5pm and Fridays open until 8pm. Weekends 1-5pm.

Members and kids are free. $10 admission for adults and $8 for 65+.
All the details at www.meadbuilding.org/HallOfTrees.

Rare Jefferson Peace Medal Exhibit at Mead Museum

An original 220-year old Jefferson Peace Medal on loan to the Mead Museum is on display as part of the Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures exhibit. The 4-inch Jefferson Peace Medal is extremely rare and a historically significant artifact from the early 19th century.
The peace medals were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson as part of diplomatic efforts with Native American tribes, serving as symbols of goodwill and alliance between the U.S. government and Indigenous leaders. The Lewis & Clark Expedition handed out 89 of them to leaders of Native Nations on their journey between 1804-1806. This medal is one of less than 5 on display in the world!
In addition to the peace medal, the Journeying Forward exhibit also had an upgrade in its history of the Ihanktonwan and Oceti Sakowin Nations, an important narrative to Yankton regional history.
The Mead Museum is located at 82 Mickelson Dr in Yankton SD. The Museum is open weekdays 10AM to 5PM and on Saturdays/Sundays from 1PM to 5PM.

Join us at the Joy Center with financial expert Victoria Funk, who will go over important tips for business tax preparation. As the year comes to a close, businesses have a valuable opportunity to optimize their financial and tax positions. Learn how to examine your expenses and incomes, maximize deductions, and review retirement plans. Other important steps will be examined such as what impacts your taxable income and the benefits of consulting with tax professionals. From this event, you will be able to evaluate your business’s financial goals and plan accordingly for the upcoming year.