Happy Tuesday, Black Hills. In today’s edition: Storybook Island Christmas Nights of Lights, Parade of Trees, park playground upgrades, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Family-friendly holiday tradition: Storybook Island in Rapid City celebrates its 30th annual Christmas Nights of Lights, with 20 miles of lights, hot chocolate, train and carousel rides, continuing through Sunday, December 28 — read the full story.

Park safety improvements ahead: Rapid City planned to allocate over $400,000 in CDBG funds for new Robbinsdale Park playground equipment, with Finance Office and Parks Department partnering, and City Council set to decide Monday — read the full story.

Holiday spirit on display: Parade of Trees at The Box Elder Events Center runs December 2 to 28. Decorated trees are viewable daily 8 AM to 8 PM, with voting in person or online — get all the details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Shop Angel Bazaar for holiday treasures
• Walk-in shoe fittings for K–8 kids
• Bid, snack, and save rescue cats
• Get free Santa photos at Fleet Farm
• Crawl through Christmas movie-themed bars
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Community on the ice: Downtown Rapid City’s outdoor rink at Main Street Square, a winter staple since 2011, is open and already drawing big crowds. Skate Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Weather permitting, it stays open through February. Perfect for families, first-timers, and show-offs alike. Read the full story.

Interchange study nears decision: SDDOT will hold an open house on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to share preliminary findings and gather final feedback on potential improvements to the I-90 Exit 48/Stagestop Road interchange near Summerset. Stop by Stagebarn Middle School from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (short talk at 5:45). Can’t go? Submit written comments online through Dec. 17. Get meeting and comment details.

Burrito fix without fuss: Family-run Ma Cualli serves traditional recipes, burritos made with quality ingredients, and a friendly, low-key vibe, plus margaritas when the day calls for it. Keep it in your weeknight rotation when cooking feels optional and your appetite definitely doesn’t.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🐾 Bring Love Home: The Great Pawjama Party @ Humane Society-Black Hills | Tuesday (12/2) at 11:00am – Giving Tuesday calls for cocoa, cuddles, and shelter-pet snuggles at the Humane Society of the Black Hills. Drop in for a cozy Pawjama Party, meet adoptables, learn how to foster, and pretend popcorn counts as dinner. Pajamas optional, big hearts required. Sponsors and volunteers welcome.

🏛️ Critical Issues Luncheon | State of the City and County @ The Rushmore Hotel | Thursday (12/4) at 11:30am – Nothing beats lunch with a side of straight talk about Rapid City and Pennington County. Local leaders will recap wins, outline what is next, and take questions, so bring your curiosity, your civility, and maybe a pen. Register soon, seats actually fill.

🌿 Wreath Workshops @ Thrap Market Company | Thursday (12/4) at 6:30pm – Think your front door could use a little local flair? Come bundle fragrant fir, redwood, and cedar, then layer in berries, pinecones, eucalyptus, and winter foliage for a wreath with personality, properly rooted in the season. Smells like holiday spirit, looks like you have taste.

👥 56th Annual SDSA Convention @ Best Western Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center | Friday (12/5) at 3:00pm – The SDSA convention is back for its 56th lap, hosted by BHSC, and it is equal parts brains, bids, and piano-fueled mischief. Expect auctions, breakout sessions, an awards banquet, then dueling pianos to loosen the ties. Registration opens soon, keep an eye out.

✨ Storybrook Island Christmas Nights of Lights @ Storybrook Island | Friday (12/5) at 5:30pm – Whether you grew up sprinting past Humpty Dumpty or you’re just here for the cocoa, this is the local light show worth bundling up for. Stroll the displays, snag a few gifts, and feel smug knowing your five bucks keeps the park free all summer.

This weekend

🎀 Get your Swag on – Door Swag Design Class! Preregister @ Flowers by LeRoy | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Trade that sad store-bought wreath for a lush, custom evergreen door swag you design yourself with Amy’s expert help. Your $80 ticket covers all the greens, berries, pinecones, bows, plus snacks and drinks while you create. Preregistration is required and spots are limited, so claim your place before someone else decorates your dream door.

🍊 Rapid City, SD Fresh Citrus Truckload Sale @ Traders Market Rapid City SD | Saturday (12/6) at 11:30am – Take a break from the holiday sugar and swing by the Uptown Rapid Mall, Trader’s Market side, for a blink-and-you-miss-it citrus pop-up. Nab 10 lb satsumas or a 20 lb mixed box, first come, first served, because scurvy is not on our winter bucket list.

🎅 Pictures with Santa@ Aspen Ridge Lawn & Landscape | Saturday (12/6) at 12:00pm – Skip the mall chaos and get your Santa pic at the Plant Shop on Sheridan Lake Road, surrounded by poinsettias and that fresh potting soil vibe. Drop in, sip cocoa, snag a cookie, and bring your own camera, your kids, or just your holiday spirit.

🍸 The Velvet Room Speakeasy – A Prohibition Era Inspired Event @ The Journey Museum & Learning Center | Saturday (12/6) at 5:30pm – Skip the couch and sneak into a one-night-only Prohibition speakeasy benefiting Journey Museum, with live jazz, casino-style games with prizes, heavy hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails, and a silent auction. Dress vintage or cocktail, whisper the password otherwise known as your ticket, and enjoy guilt-free glamour.

🎵 Music Bingo @ The Local | Sunday (12/7) at 5:00pm – Music Bingo is swapping numbers for songs, so your 80s playlist finally pays rent. They play quick clips, you mark your card, maybe sing a chorus, and shout bingo for small prizes and bragging rights. Themes rotate, all ages are welcome.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/3 Not Rocket Science Trivia @ Woodland Republic Brewing and Blending – 6:30 pm
• 12/4 Tapped Out Trivia @ Pour 54 Taphouse – 7 pm
• 12/4 Trivia Thursdays @ Hay Camp Brewing – 6 pm
• 12/5 56th Annual SDSA Convention @ Best Western Ramkota Hotel – 3 pm
• 12/5 Christmas Nights of Lights @ Storybrook Island – 5:30 pm
• 12/6 The Velvet Room Speakeasy @ The Journey Museum – 5:30 pm
• 12/7 Music Bingo @ The Local – 5 pm
• 12/14 Steve-O: The Crash and Burn Tour @ The Monument – 7 pm