Things to do and see in Sioux Falls as 2022 closes out

SIOUX FALLS — Who out there asked Santa for a cold Christmas? Don’t do that again.

Hopefully you were able to get to where you needed to go before the entire state turned into Hoth from “The Empire Strikes Back.”

The good news is that this week will be MUCH warmer. We’re talking high 20s and the low 30s.

Get your shorts and sunscreen ready!

This week’s list is heavy on the new year festivities. No surprises there. We have events for those who like to party, those whose kids rule their every move and those who are looking for something a little different. If there’s nothing on this list that’s of interest, you were probably just going to endlessly scroll through Netflix, anyway. We did the best we could.

From all of us here at SiouxFallsLive.com , here’s to a great 2023! Stay safe and jolly!

Many ways to celebrate on Dec. 31

Like live music, food and drinks and the chance to embarrass yourself in public? (Don’t worry, nobody will remember.) We have a lot of options for Saturday night. Lightning round. Here we go!

• Let It Fly New Year’s Eve party: Prime rib dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. with DJ Coast 2 Coast 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Appetizers will be served all night with a champagne toast at midnight.
• Sky Lounge in Tea: The classic rock duo the Neo Johnsons will perform an acoustic set during the party from 8 p.m. to midnight. Free champagne at midnight.
• Shenanigan’s Sports Bar: The band Sugardaddy takes the stage at 9 p.m.
• Thirsty Duck: AC/DC tribute band Rock N Roll Damnation performs starting at 9 p.m.
• ICON Events + DaDa Gastropub: Therapy Funk brings its mix of funk, EDM, live band and remixed tracks to the party, which costs $15 per person.
• The Nickel Spot: The band Driven performs starting at 9 p.m.
• El Riad Shrine: The Ron Keel Band, the former house band at Badlands Pawn, performs. Tickets are $25 for a general admission seat or floor tables (eight seats) can be reserved for $300. Get tickets at ElRiad.org .
• Bars with DJs: The Lie’brary, Pave Bar, Club David, Wiley’s, Vinyl Taco, Stogeez/bin 201.
• Bars with karaoke: Billy Frogs Bar and Grill, Chasers, The Rush, Eastway Bowl, Phoenix Lounge.

Ring in the new year with a laugh

Prairie Green Golf Course is hosting a Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve bash starting at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $40 for a single, $75 for a pair and $225 for a table of six. The price includes appetizers and a comedy performance from Jack Unruh and Zach Dresch from “Late Night Boomin.” Text 605-521-0673 to RSVP or email toristansbury@gmail.com .

New Year’s celebration if you want to work on your golf game

Great Shots is offering a unique opportunity to pair New Year’s Eve celebrations with golf. A table for $550 or a couch bay for $600 includes admission for six and a dinner and breakfast buffet, champagne toast, unlimited beer and house wine as well as fireworks. And, of course, golf. The event starts at 9 p.m. with golf from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Book your spot at greatshots.golf/nye-party .

A New Year’s Eve celebration that’s completely different

The inaugural New Year’s Eve Sobriety Wacipi (Pow Wow) starts at 6 p.m. Saturday and is hosted by the South Dakota Urban Indian Health at 515 N. Main Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the grand entry at 7 p.m. There will be vendors, food and prize giveaways. The event lasts until just after midnight.

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve events

It’s not all about live music and organized rabble-rousing. There are some New Year’s events for kids this year.

• Things didn’t turn out so well the last time dinosaurs saw something fall from the sky, but things will be different on Dec. 31 at the Washington Pavilion Kirby Science Center when Radley Rex parties with kids at the Noon Year’s Eve event. Come check out the new additions to the science center and watch as hundreds of balloons fall to the ground at noon. Admission to the science center is required.
• Ski, tube, snowboard or just relax ahead of fireworks at midnight at Great Bear Recreation Area. Discounted rates start at 5 p.m. Lift tickets are $20, rentals $20 and tubing is $10.
• If you want to stay indoors Saturday, you can roller skate at Skate City all night (or at least for 4.5 hours) for $20, which includes skate rental. There will be special games, door prizes and a balloon drop (some containing cash prizes) and party favors. For younger kids, there is a daytime party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a balloon drop at noon. Admission is $15.

After taking a break for Christmas, high school and minor league sports are back in action this week.

In hockey, the Sioux Falls Stampede host the Sioux City Musketeers at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28. They host Waterloo at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, and the Madison Capitols at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31. All of the games are at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.

In the NBA G League, the Sioux Falls Skyforce play the Ontario Clippers at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Sanford Pentagon.

In high school sports action this week, the Sanford Pentagon is hosting the Sanford Hoop City Classic, which will bring 18 teams from South Dakota and Minnesota to the renowned Heritage Court. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for K-12 and kids 4 and younger are admitted for free.

Hike in the cold. Yay?

We can think of a few better things to do when it’s cold, but it is the new year, so let’s challenge ourselves, right?

Good Earth State Park at Blood Run east of Sioux Falls is hosting a 1-mile hike to kick off the new year from 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 1, 2023.

Big Sioux Recreation Area will host a half-mile self-guided hike at 2 p.m. Jan. 1. The trail will have interpretation signs with facts on the trees. The event is part of First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative on Jan. 1 to get people moving at their local state parks.

A state park license is required for both hikes, and it goes without saying that participants need to dress for the conditions.

But with a projected high in the 20s, it will feel downright balmy compared to the previous two weeks. Let’s gooooooooo!