- Event Overview
About
Rapid City, SD
Ugly Sweater Pub Crawls
Rapid City’s Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl brings the City of Presidents’ bar culture and South Dakota holiday spirit to the holiday sweater tradition. The Main Street Square and the downtown Rapid City bar districts have developed into a vibrant scene and on ugly sweater night the combination of the Black Hills setting, the Mount Rushmore regional character, and the excellent local bars creates a holiday celebration with a South Dakota character that is rugged, warm, and completely City of Presidents.
Our Rapid City route moves through Main Street Square and the surrounding bar district, stopping at venues that represent the quality and character of what Rapid City’s bar scene has built. The ugly sweater competition in Rapid City draws on the creative energy of a Black Hills community with strong Native American and Western heritage and the entries reflect that South Dakota combination of Mount Rushmore patriotism, Black Hills outdoor culture, and genuine holiday warmth.
December in Rapid City is cold, typically ranging from 12 to 28 degrees at night, with the Black Hills providing a scenic backdrop. The South Dakota winter is serious and the Rapid City downtown holiday decorations have a character befitting the City of Presidents. The bar community provides genuine warmth.
Our hosts manage the Rapid City route with local knowledge. Specials are confirmed, wristbands handle entry at every stop, and the ugly sweater contest brings City of Presidents creativity to the holiday season.
Event Detalis
Largest Pub Crawl Event
40,000+ Attendees
100+ Participating Bars
Organized Event
- What's Included
What You Get With a Pub Crawl Ticket
Pub crawls for the biggest party holidays. Choose your event and join the party in 100+ cities across the USA.
Ugly Sweater Contest
The most outrageous sweater wins a prize.
Welcome Drink at Check-In
Included with your ticket.
Drink Specials at Every Stop
Exclusive holiday pricing throughout the route.
Official 2026 Wristband
One wristband for every venue on the crawl.
On-Site Hosts
Our team manages the route and the sweater competition.
VIP Entry at Select Venues
Priority access at participating bars.
Holiday Party Gear
Festive accessories at check-in.
Pub Crawl Route
The crawl covers the best bars in the city’s top bar neighborhood.
Participating Venues on the Pub Crawl Route
The 2026 Madison July 4th pub crawl route runs through State Street / Capitol Square. All stops within walking distance. Full lineup sent to ticket holders before the event.
How the Pub Crawl Works
Four simple steps to join the St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl and start bar hopping.
Purchase at pubcrawls.com.
7:00 PM. Address with ticket confirmation.
Welcome drink, wristband, holiday gear. Route starts at 7:30 PM.
Hosts guide the group through venues all evening.
Event Agendas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rapid City Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl?
Main Street Square anchors downtown Rapid City through December, rink and all. The sweater crawl links the participating bars around it on one wristband with drink specials at each stop.
Has a Rapid City date been posted?
Nothing on the Rapid City page. These crawls take the December Saturdays before Christmas, so watch the listing through the autumn for a confirmed date. Nothing is fixed until a date appears there.
Which part of Rapid City does the crawl use?
The downtown blocks around Main Street Square, where the bars and restaurants concentrate. Your confirmed check-in venue and participating lineup arrive with the ticket confirmation. Everything sits within a few minutes on foot.
How cold is Rapid City in December?
Very cold, often in the teens and twenties after dark, though Black Hills chinook winds can push it up unexpectedly. Plan for the cold and treat any warm spell as a bonus.
Is the Main Street Square ice rink open?
Usually by December. The downtown square runs a seasonal rink and holiday programming, which brings a family crowd into the same blocks earlier in the day. The bars fill once the rink crowd disperses.
Is Rapid City busy in December?
Quieter than summer. The Black Hills tourist season is long over by then, so a December Saturday runs on locals and the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base community.
Is downtown Rapid City walkable that night?
Yes. The participating bars sit close together around the square, which keeps the time spent outside in South Dakota December weather down to a minimum. Nothing on the route needs a car once you have parked.
Should I arrange a ride home in Rapid City?
Yes. Rideshare supply out here is thin, demand climbs on December Saturdays, and the roads out toward the Hills are dark, cold and frequently icy. Agree the pickup point before you start.
