Nov. 26, 2025:
With the push of a button (Nov. 25, 2025), the featured tree is lit up and South Dakota’s annual Christmas at the Capitol display is open to the public.
It’s tradition for a special guest help turn on the lights and this year First Lady Sandy Rhoden was joined by Ethan Polstra, a 7th grader at Georgia Morse Middle School in Pierre.
Rhoden took the opportunity to share a little about a program offered by the South Dakota Department of Human Services.
This year’s display includes trees decorated by volunteers from communities, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations and state government offices using the theme “Songs of the Season.” This year’s featured tree is a Colorado spruce, donated by the Rogers family of Florence.
Children are welcome to write letters to Santa at home and bring them to the Capitol. The letters can be deposited into Santa’s North Pole Mailbox, located on the first floor by the First Ladies and First Gentlemen Exhibit.
The South Dakota Christmas at the Capitol Display is open to the public from Nov. 26-Dec. 26, 2025, from 8am-10pm daily, including holidays and weekends. The display is free of charge. The Capitol building is handicap accessible and there are a limited number of wheelchairs available for public use.
Entertainment occurs Monday through Friday at noon and from 5-10 pm, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
You can follow the Christmas at the Capitol events on Facebook.
First Lady Sandy Rhoden and 7th grader Ethan Polstra of Pierre get ready to turn on the lights for the display.
Image screenshot courtesy of South Dakota Public Broadcasting 2025 Christmas at the Capitol Grand Tree Lighting livestream.
Nov. 25, 2025.
First Lady Sandy Rhoden and 7th grader Ethan Polstra of Pierre get ready to turn on the lights for the display.
Image screenshot courtesy of South Dakota Public Broadcasting 2025 Christmas at the Capitol Grand Tree Lighting livestream.
Nov. 25, 2025.
Image screenshot courtesy of South Dakota Public Broadcasting 2025 Christmas at the Capitol Grand Tree Lighting livestream.
Nov. 25, 2025.
Image screenshot courtesy of South Dakota Public Broadcasting 2025 Christmas at the Capitol Grand Tree Lighting livestream.
Nov. 25, 2025.
Nov. 25, 2025:
The Grand Lighting Ceremony for South Dakota’s Christmas at the Capitol display is Tuesday (Nov. 25, 2025) at 7pm CST.
This year’s display includes trees decorated by volunteers from communities, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations and state government offices using the theme “Songs of the Season.” This year’s featured tree is a Colorado spruce, standing 45 feet tall. It came from the Rogers family of Florence.
Children are welcome to write letters to Santa at home and bring them to the Capitol. The letters can be deposited into Santa’s North Pole Mailbox, which will be located on the first floor by the First Ladies and First Gentlemen Exhibit.
The South Dakota Christmas at the Capitol Display is open to the public from Nov. 26-Dec. 26, 2025, from 8am-10pm daily, including holidays and weekends. The display is free of charge. The Capitol building is handicap accessible and there are a limited number of wheelchairs available for public use.
Entertainment occurs Monday through Friday at noon and from 5-10 pm, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
You can follow the Christmas at the Capitol events on Facebook.
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