1. Chinese New Year Celebration
City: Deadwood, SD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (605) 578-7777, (605) 578-1811
Address: 647 Main St.
Description: Since Chinese New Year is a lunar holiday, it’s hard to pin down the exact date of this celebration, which takes place in early Feb. Deadwood history has a fascinating chapter on the Chinese immigrants and businesspeople who joined in the glory days of the gold rush. The city celebrates that culture on Chinese New Year with lion dancers, a parade, firecrackers (which drive away evil spirits that threaten the coming year), and a display of photographs and artifacts from the Adams House and Adams Museum. Miss Kitty’s also has a buffet for the event.
2. Mardi Gras Celebration
City: Deadwood, SD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (605) 578-1876, (800) 999-1876
Address: Main Street
Description: It’s the Mardi Gras of the West, with costumes, a night parade, a Cajun-food cook-off, and all the trappings (well, most of them) of New Orleans. But this one also has gaming and the charming amenities and atmosphere of Deadwood, South Dakota—something New Orleans can’t claim. Mardi Gras takes place in late Feb or early Mar, and it’s an outrageous party you won’t soon forget, done up Deadwood-style.
3. Adams Family Christmas
City: Deadwood, SD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (605) 578-3724
Address: 54 Sherman St.
Description: The Adams Museum and Adams House always celebrate Christmas in Victorian style, and one of their favorite events each December is An Adams Family Christmas Carol, an original play written for the organization that is based not on the Dickens classic but on Deadwood’s historic Adams family during the 1920s. Performances usually take place at the house, not the museum (read about these two sites in the Attractions chapter). Enjoy Christmas readings, a masquerade, dramatic musical presentations, and special exhibits (the events change from year to year).
4. New Year’S Eve Celebration
City: Deadwood, SD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (605) 578-1876
Address: Main Street
Description: Deadwood has been a party town since the first rowdy prospectors descended upon the gulch in 1876. Though the gold is now gone, residents still throw some wild celebrations here, and with the possible exception of Mardi Gras, New Year’s Eve is Deadwood’s wildest shindig. People come from all over the Dakotas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and beyond to usher in the new year in Deadwood. The casinos have parties and special giveaways, the saloons bring in bands that play all night long, and the hotels fill up fast. If you’d like to join in the festivities, be sure to reserve a room well in advance.