PIERRE, S.D. – The 2024 Grand Lighting Ceremony for Christmas at the South Dakota Capitol will take place in the Rotunda on Tuesday, November 26, at 7 p.m. CST.

The public is invited to join Gov. Kristi Noem, First Gentleman Bryon Noem, and Pierre Mayor Steve Harding as they welcome guests and light the Capitol trees.

The Capitol Christmas display includes 92 trees decorated by volunteers from communities, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, and state government offices. This year’s theme for Christmas at the Capitol is “Through a Child’s Eyes.”

The largest tree in the Capitol, a 28ft spruce, is decorated by the YMCA Youth Development of South Dakota and was donated by Deb Lutz of Mobridge, SD.

Rhythm Prism and the Soul Singers, directed by Andrea Royer, will provide music for the ceremony.

Santa will be here to greet the children and set up his North Pole Mailbox for the year. Children can write letters to Santa at home, bring them to the Capitol, and drop them in the mailbox, which will be located on the first floor by the South Dakota First Ladies and First Gentlemen Exhibit while the display is open to the public.

Hours for folks to view the tree display are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily starting on Nov. 27, including holidays and weekends. The last day to view the display is Thursday, Dec. 26.                                                      

You can follow the Christmas at the Capitol events on Facebook and Instagram.