Yankton Holiday Festival of Lights

12/11/2024

The countdown to Christmas is on!!! 14 Days and counting. We know you are still trying to get every gift taken care of, so here is some help to check a few more boxes. We are offering special "Christmas Pricing" on remaining Yankton Meridian Bridge rope style hats available in 4 colors AND custom Centennial Celebration Christmas ornaments (limited quantities). You can also purchase a 2025 Huether Family Aquatics Center season passes as a gift for individuals of ALL ages. Giftable Certificates available at the SAC.
Rope Style Hats-$15 (save $5 dollars)
Centennial Celebration Ornaments-$3 (save $2 dollars)
Huether Family Aquatics Center Season Pass-$71

12/11/2024

Free concert! You can either play in the band or come listen. It’s up to you!

12/10/2024

Summer Band Christmas Concert is set for Dec. 15, this Sunday!
The Yankton Area Summer Band will present its annual Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4:30 p.m. at the Yankton High School theatre.
The rehearsal for interested musicians will begin at 3 p.m. We hope you will join us as either a band participant or as an audience member.

12/09/2024

The biggest City of Yankton Holiday Festival of Lights has officially wrapped up for the season. With 87 different vehicles and floats making their way through the Meridian District, along with pre-parade family activities, and post parade tree lighting, fireworks and hot chocolate, it truly was The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Thank you to every family, business, group, non profit, church, organization or club that made this night possible. There were a lot of choices this year for our judges, but here are the final decisions in the award categories.

12/05/2024

Holiday Festival of Lights important reminders........

1. this event will be livestreamed thanks to our friends at KVHT Classic Hits 106.3. Check out their website or use this link to watch the livestream of this event tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/live/N5iKxvAKM-k?si=kCmofgtwhNBzofQQ

2. If you are hungry and looking for a warm filler, Runza will be in The Brewery selling chili, rolls, and Runzas. They will also have some FREE Runza cookies!! Stop in during our pre-parade time from 4-5:30pm for some great family time, and some great food!

3. Celebrate Community Church is graciously opening their space from 4:30-7pm for parade attendees needing restrooms, changing stations, or to simply warm up! Thank you Celebrate Community Church!

12/04/2024

Due to the size of the Holiday Festival of Lights Parade, float staging will be present on ALL of Levee Street west to Cedar. Ideal parade viewing for families can be found on Cedar Street and 3rd Street downtown. Please be advised there is NO PARKING on the parade route starting at 4:45pm on Thursday. Join us after the parade at the base of the Meridian Bridge for more festivities.

12/04/2024

The time has finally come!!! Thursday, Dec.5th, the 2024 Holiday Festival of Lights is ready to illuminate Yankton. Join us for an entire evening of family fun. Our FREE pre-parade activities will be kicking off at 4pm in The Brewery at 2nd and Walnut. Then stick around for the biggest holiday parade to date as over 80 festive floats light up the downtown Merdian District, starting promptly at 6pm. Make your way down to Meridian Plaza at the base of the Meridian Bridge following the parade as we light the Christmas tree, enjoy a fireworks show, get a visit from Santa, and enjoy FREE hot chocolate and cider compliments of First Dakota. The BIGGEST and BRIGHTEST holiday parade in South Dakota, right here in Yankton!

11/22/2024

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas lean your ear this way…

11/20/2024

Don't be a cotton-headed n***y muggins!!! Make plans to attend this year's Holiday Festival of Lights on Thursday, Dec. 5th. Pre-parade activities for the entire family from 4-5:30pm in The Brewery, followed by the holiday parade at 6pm, followed by the tree lighting, fireworks and free hot chocolate and snacks at 7pm. Get your holiday spirit fully charged in ONE evening!
Keep spreading the word....we are still accepting parade entries until Sunday, Dec. 1st. A great way for businesses, non profits, groups, clubs, schools, or families to spread some holiday cheer. To sign up or find more information about this year's event, click the link below!
https://experience.arcgis.com/.../b2f29939eef14dd0a15.../...

11/14/2024

Two FANTASTIC events are quickly approaching to add some fun to your holiday season, and help us finish the YEAR LONG Centennial Celebration. Bring your entire family to the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, gathering at The Brewery at 8am. Register at the Summit Activities Center by Nov.18 to guarantee your "Special Edition" Meridian Bridge Turkey Trot stocking cap. All registration fees benefit the Yankton Contact Center.
Then make plans for the Holiday Festival of Lights Thursday, Dec.5th in the historic Meridian District. Family activities, treats, crafts, parade of lights, tree lighting, fireworks, hot chocolate, cider and more!!! Be a part of this event by registering your float! Click the link below for more info and float registration.
https://experience.arcgis.com/.../b2f29939eef14dd0a15.../...

11/13/2024

The 2024 City of Yankton Holiday Festival of Lights is only 3 weeks away! Mark your calendars for Thursday, Dec. 5th for an evening of fun with your entire family!
If you have not yet entered a Holiday Festival of Lights float for your business, group, club, organization, family or non-profit, click the link below and get signed up! Help spread the word as Yankton officially kicks off the holiday season.
https://experience.arcgis.com/.../b2f29939eef14dd0a15ed4.../

10/24/2024

Thank you to the many groups, businesses and organizations that have kicked off the 2024 Holiday Festival of Lights registration. There is plenty of time and the weather is perfect for making a 2024 parade entry a reality. Registration is currently open, and we want you to be a part of this tremendous community event. Help spread some holiday cheer and have some fun with your team in the process. Make a plan to be a part of the BIGGEST and BRIGHTEST holiday event in the state. This event will also serve as our official close to the 2024 Meridian Bridge Centennial Celebration. Don't miss out, visit cityofyankton.org to get registered.

10/21/2024

Here are some of the best reasons to get your family, business, group, club, nonprofit, or even just you signed up for the 2024 Holiday Festival of Lights. This year's event will take place on Thursday, Dec. 5th in the beautiful downtown Meridian District. To get registered, simply click the link below.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b2f29939eef14dd0a15ed4770ea630aa/

10/18/2024

Shoutout to Manitou-Yankton, who was our 1st Holiday Festival of Lights Entry for 2024! They understood the assignment and wasted no time getting registered for our 2024 Holiday Festival of Lights parade taking place Thursday, Dec. 5. You can't be the 1st registrant, but we still want you to be a part of this great holiday event in Yankton. The BIGGEST and BRIGHTEST holiday event in the state! To register, visit cityofyankton.org and click the Festival of Lights Banner.

10/16/2024

We are ready for you!!! The 2024 Holiday Festival of Lights registration is officially OPEN! Time to get your club, group, business, organization, nonprofit, school, church, family....you get the idea, ANYONE, signed up for this great community and family event. We will again be hosting pre parade family activities, along with the tree lighting, fireworks and hot chocolate trailer coinciding with the parade event. Registration is simple, just visit cityofyankon.org and click the Holiday Festival of Lights banner to find the registration link. This year's theme, "Bridging Winters Past" will serve as the finale of the year-long Centennial Celebration. Floats can be bridge themed, or just dressed up with as many lights and Christmas items as you can fit. Spread the word and be a part of the BIGGEST and BRIGHTEST holiday event in the state!

07/02/2024

Reminder the concerts are down in Riverside Park on Thursday and Friday evenings!! It’s like Christmas in July!!!

We want to help you start planning for 4th of July fun. Here is a start to your "To Do List" to ensure you and your family don't miss a minute of the incredible 4th of July and July 5th Meridian Bridge Celebration events. For a full schedule of events, you can visit cityofyankton.org