Festival in the Park

Festival in the Park: July 17-19, 2026

The Festival in the Park is one of the largest outdoor summer arts and music festivals in the upper Midwest. The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center of Spearfish, SD, organizes this popular festival. It serves as the largest fundraiser for our non-profit organization each year. The proceeds benefit arts outreach in our community and beyond.

Spearfish City Park on Canyon Street

Over 25,000 people attend the festival, held every third weekend in July. The 2025 festival features 185 fine art and craft vendors with an emphasis on handmade and original products.

Art & Craft Vendors, Live Music, Food

Options from 24 food vendors offer eclectic varieties of cuisines that please any appetite. Free live onstage entertainment from local and regional artists is available daily. For those who want to sit with a cool beverage and listen to music, the “Watering Hole” never fails to please.

What is $5 Wristband Night?

Friday’s $5 Wristband Night is our largest fundraiser of the year! When you purchase a $5 Friday night wristband, you:

You get to preview & buy from your favorite vendors a day ahead!
The Watering Hole is open and has great musical groups performing from 4 pm to 8 pm. Only folks with wristbands get to enjoy these bands.
Enjoy the festival in the cooler evening hours!
For a very low price, you are supporting the arts in Spearfish.

You can pre-purchase your $5 wristbands at the entrances to Spearfish City Park or prior to the event.

Event Schedule

The entertainment schedule will be posted by July 1st

$5 WRISTBAND NIGHT – FRIDAY, JULY 17 | 4 – 8 pm – Vendors Open
SATURDAY, JULY 18 | 9 am – 7 pm – Vendors Open
SUNDAY, JULY 19 | 10 am – 4 pm – Vendors Open

Leave Fido at Home 🐶

Friendly reminder: No PETS are allowed on park grounds throughout the event. It is a city ordinance for these 3 days only. Please make plans ahead of time for your pets.

Park & Ride for Free!

Prairie Hills Transit will be providing shuttle service to and from the festival. The shuttle is wheelchair capable. The Spearfish High School parking lot will be used as the park and ride area. The shuttle service is free and will rotate every 15 minutes.

Looking for your Favorite Vendor?

Stop by the Information Booth during the Festival to grab a list of the vendors as well as a map of the grounds. Or, click here for a list of our 2025 vendors! The 2026 Vendor list will be available in the spring!