Check Out the Festival Schedule and Plan Your Itinerary!
August 20, 2025
Check Out the Festival Schedule and Plan Your Itinerary!
The 23rd annual South Dakota Festival of Books, Sept. 26-28 in Spearfish, is only five weeks away, so it’s time to plan your personal Festival itinerary! Here’s the skinny on the event schedule – and lots of other things you need to know!
SCHEDULE
The complete schedule of events is now available on our website! Very soon, you’ll be able to click into each individual presenter’s page and find their personal list of sessions. Until then, you can consult the pdf version. We know it can be hard to decide which events to attend when there are so many good options, so you might as well start planning now!
TICKETS
Most Festival sessions are free – just find out where your favorite authors are speaking and walk on in! However, a few special events require paid tickets, which are available through the “Get Tickets Here” button on our website (or by calling 605-688-6113 or emailing info@sdhumanities.org).
Ticketed events include the Author Reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 at the historic Matthews Opera House. This is your chance to mix and mingle with Festival presenters and fellow readers while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres from Cheyenne Crossing.
The Festival will also feature four in-depth writing workshops, which allow you to join small groups of aspiring authors to learn the tricks of the trade directly from the professionals. These sessions will take place at Henry’s Books, Spearfish’s charming and welcoming independent bookstore.
GUIDE
Watch your mail for the Festival guide, created by South Dakota Magazine and headed to press right now! This publication serves as your Festival “Bible,” including presenter bios, exhibitor list, community and campus maps, sponsor information, and of course, the complete schedule of sessions. If you don’t receive a guide by mail or find one at your favorite library or bookstore, just call 605-688-6113 or email info@sdhumanities.org, and we’ll get one sent your way!
VENUES
Festival “headquarters” this year will be the Spearfish Convention Center, just off I-90 exit 14 at 305 N. 27th St. This will be the home of Exhibitors’ Hall, with its bustling mix of book sales and signings, as well as numerous venues for author sessions. Events will also take place in other locations around Spearfish, including the Grace Balloch Memorial Library, and on the beautiful Black Hills State University campus. We’ve blocked off a half-hour between sessions to allow for driving and parking, and everywhere you look, there will be scenic views to enjoy!
LODGING
If you’re traveling to the Festival from out of town, you’ll need a place to stay! To reserve a hotel room right in the center of the action at the Holiday Inn Spearfish – Convention Center, call 605-642-4683 and request the “SD Festival of Books” block. The rates for these rooms are $130 (standard) and $160 (suite), with a $40 upcharge for poolside. Any unreserved rooms will be released on August 25, so act now!
Of course, Spearfish and the surrounding area offer many other options for lodging, ranging from regal to rustic. Learn more at the Visit Spearfish website.
UPDATES
You’ve probably heard the old saying about “the best-laid plans,” and it definitely applies to our Festival! Event details are always subject to change, so keep an eye on our website and social media and consult the Festival Updates Bulletin for the latest changes.
VOLUNTEER
The SDHC staff is mighty, but small, so we need many helpers to make the Festival happen! Would you like to drive authors to and from the airport? Introduce Festival presentations? Help Festivalgoers find the right venues? Whatever your skills and interests, we can put you to work! Just fill out our Volunteer Interest Form, and we’ll be in touch!
Learn more about humanities programming in South Dakota by signing up for SDHC e-Updates!