What the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo Is
The Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo is a ten-day Western heritage event in Rapid City that combines a PRCA rodeo, youth and breeding livestock shows, sales, a trade show and concerts. Organizers call it South Dakota's second-largest event after the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, drawing more than 330,000 people. It is put on jointly by the Central States Fair (the stock show side) and The Monument (the arena and civic center), with Sutton Rodeo producing Rodeo Rapid City, which has earned PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year honors. The next run is January 29 to February 6, 2027.
What Is on the Program
The most recent edition ran January 30 to February 7, 2026, and gives a good picture of how the ten days are laid out.
Rodeo
- Rodeo Rapid City PRCA performances in the Summit Arena at 7:30 p.m. most nights, with an afternoon performance on the final Saturday (Patriot Day). Opening night in 2026 was PRCA Xtreme Bulls, and the next night PRCA Xtreme Broncs.
- Slack and permit sessions earlier in the week, plus SD FFA Day at Rodeo Rapid City.
- Rope, Ride and Slide on opening night, a team event in which one cowboy rides a bronc and the other wrestles a steer before both team rope. It debuted in 2026.
- The Ranch Rodeo, with a preliminary round and a 7 p.m. final at the Kjerstad Event Center.
- Broncs for Breakfast on Wednesday morning, with breakfast, a bloody mary bar and bucking horses. Both this and the Ranch Rodeo often sell out.
Livestock
- The Youth Beef Show, starting with showmanship and breeding heifers on the first Friday and market steers and bred heifers on the Saturday. Youth Goat Show on the final Friday and Youth Sheep Show on the final Saturday.
- Breed shows and sales in the Rushmore Hall sale ring: Angus, Charolais, Hereford and Shorthorn, Red Angus, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Maine-Anjou and Simmental.
- The Farm Credit Services of America Horse Sale on the first Friday and Saturday, with Hutchison Western Stallion Row previews.
- The Hubbard Feeds Supreme Row judging with People's Choice and a parade during the final-night rodeo.
- All American Sheep Day sheepdog trials, with finals in the evening on the Monday.
Trade show, art and music
- The CINCH Trade Show at The Monument, which has more than 400 vendor booths and sold out for the fifth year in a row in 2026.
- ProHealth Western Art Show and Sale.
- Miss Black Hills Stock Show queen events, including a fashion show and coronation.
- Boots and Beer Festival on Thursday night, a beef chili cook-off tasting, and concerts. In 2026 acts included Tanner Usrey, Kenny Feidler and Ole 60, which sold out.
- The BHSS Bid Calling Championships.
Key Dates
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| 2027 run | January 29 to February 6, 2027 |
| Youth Day (4-H contests, separate registration) | February 6, 2027 |
| Rodeo performances | Evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Summit Arena |
The 2027 day-by-day schedule has not been posted yet. The Monument's schedule page lists the 2027 dates and the full 2026 program, and the daily themes in 2026 included Vintage Rapid City, Alumni Day, Denim, Disco Cowgirl, Western Elegance and Tough Enough to Wear Pink.
Who the Event Is For
- Spectators: ticketed events are marked on The Monument's schedule and bought through The Monument.
- Youth exhibitors in beef, sheep and goat shows, whose participation organizers named as one of the 2026 highlights.
- Breeders and buyers at the breed shows, bull and heifer sales and horse sale.
- Vendors in the CINCH Trade Show.
Where
The Monument, 444 N Mt Rushmore Rd, Rapid City, SD 57701 (Summit Arena, Barnett Fieldhouse, Rushmore Hall, Ice Arena), plus the Central States Fairgrounds at 800 San Francisco Street, Rapid City (Kjerstad Event Center and the GenPro Pavilion).
Questions
Is the rodeo part of the stock show?
Yes. Rodeo Rapid City runs inside the Stock Show and is a PRCA event, with evening performances in the Summit Arena.
Can kids compete?
Yes. Youth beef, goat and sheep shows run during the event, and a separate 4-H Youth Day offers judging and other contests on the last Saturday.
Where do I find the daily schedule?
The Monument posts it online, and the Black Hills Stock Show site carries show details.
Official Links
- Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo: event overview
- The Monument full schedule of events
- 2026 preview
- 2026 crowds and numbers
- 2026 recap and 2027 dates
Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
South Dakota's three marquee events are the State Fair in Huron, the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, and the Days of '76 Rodeo in Deadwood.
State Fair
Held in Huron over Labor Day weekend: September 2-7 in 2026 and September 1-6 listed for 2027. 4-H and FFA members show beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, rabbits and poultry. 4-H deadlines are firm: enrollment May 31, ID and DNA June 1, YLL July 1, FairEntry August 1.
Black Hills Stock Show
Established in 1959 in Rapid City, listed for January 29 to February 6, 2027, with about 120 livestock, horse and rodeo events. Youth Day on February 6, 2027 offers judging, Skillathon, Hippology and a Beef Cook-Off.
Days of '76
A PRCA rodeo in Deadwood in late July, with free parades on Main Street Friday and Saturday.
Read the full guide: Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Dakota Farm Bureau Annual Convention
The 109th convention, Nov. 20-21, 2026, at The Box Events Center in Box Elder, brings farmers and ranchers together to set policy and honor members; Flint Rasmussen entertains at the banquet.
Box Elder, SD | 1-605-353-8054 | Organizer: South Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - Black Hills Stock Show Youth Day
4-H and non-4-H youth ages 8 to 18 compete in livestock judging, livestock skillathon, hippology, beef cook-off and horse quiz bowl; registration runs December 2026 to Jan. 27, 2027.
444 N Mt Rushmore Rd, Rapid City, SD 57701 | Organizer: South Dakota 4-H, SDSU Extension Official event details - Central States Fair
Nine-day regional agriculture and livestock fair established in 1945 at the Central States Fairgrounds in Rapid City; the most recent dates were Aug. 21-29, 2026.
800 San Francisco Street, Rapid City, SD 57701 Official event details - Central States Fair and Rodeo
Central States Fair and Rodeo in Rapid City ran August 21 to 29, 2026, the Black Hills area's major fair with a rodeo and livestock shows. Held each year in late August.
- South Dakota State FFA Leadership Development Events
Held each year; the most recent dates were Dec. 7-8, 2025. Over 600 FFA members from eight districts competed in leadership contests and met industry leaders at a Career Expo in Box Elder.
Box Elder, SD | Organizer: South Dakota FFA Official event details
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.