Santa’s Workshop

Santa Claus and his Yankton Morning Optimist Club elves invite you to experience Santa’s Workshop! Located in Yankton’s Dakota Territorial Capitol Replica within Riverside Park. This free family-focused event is a great way to celebrate the festive holiday season with your kids and grandkids.

What to expect:
Take your photo with Santa (no appointments needed, no photographer on site so bring your own phone/camera!)
Festive free refreshments
Holiday craft projects for kids
Outdoor train rides around Riverside Park
Outdoor Santa’s mailbox available all Christmas season

Santa’s Workshop will be open:
Saturday, December 2 from 3-7 pm
Sunday, December 3 from 10 am – 2 pm
Saturday, December 9 from 3-7 pm
Sunday, December 10 from 10 am – 2 pm

Christmas Bake Sale

There is a Christmas Bake Sale from 1-3:30 at the United Church of Christ (or UCC) at 5th and Walnut.  Tickets for the coffee will be sold at the door.
Come to the Christmas Bake sale at the UCC Church Saturday December 2nd from 1-3:30.
Contact Marilyn Kratz at 605-665-7320 with questions.

Computer Basics: Windows 10

Are you looking to develop or improve your computer skills? We can help! On Tuesday, December 12th the Yankton Community Library, 515 Walnut St, will be offering two opportunities to learn about Computer Basics at 12:00pm and 6:00pm. This class is perfect those who are new to using a PC or want to build more confidence using the Windows 10 operating system. Attendees will learn how to navigate the Windows 10 operating system, manage applications using the task manager, find and manage files and folders, save and delete files, and more. All attendees will be entered to win a Chromebook! This class is free but registration is required. To register you can stop into the library or call at 605-668-5275.

These classes are offered in collaboration with the Public Library Association and AT&T. YCL was among 215 public libraries nationwide awarded funding by the Public Library Association (PLA) this year to conduct digital literacy workshops using new Digitallearn.org resources. Watch for details about our Mobile Device Basics classes that will be offered in January.

Don’t forget to check out our website at library.cityofyankton.org and follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/YanktonLibrary) for upcoming events.

For questions, please call the library at 605-668-5275 or email us at library@cityofyankton.org.

December Youth Programs

The Yankton Community Library will be providing several exciting programs in December for youth and families. Programs will take place at the library (515 Walnut) throughout the month.

Feel free to stop by and grab a holiday scavenger hunt sheet that can be completed at the library or at the holiday festival of lights parade on Thursday, November 30th. We will also have a scavenger hunt and activity sheets available for kids in the children’s area throughout the month.

On Thursday, December 7th we will have LEGO Club from 3:45 to 4:45 pm. Bring your creativity and create something from your imagination or try one of our special holiday challenge cards!

Elementary students in grades K-5 are invited to join us on Thursday, December 14th between 3:45 and 6:00 pm for an opportunity to make some homemade gifts and cards at our Winter Wonderland Workshop. We will have several stations available for kids to craft and create. We will also have bag decorating and card making stations so kids can wrap their gifts and get them ready to go under the tree!

People of all ages are invited to the library on Sunday, December 17th for a fun time playing board games. We will have several games available for people of all ages and ability levels to enjoy. You can also bring your own game and invite others to learn and play!

We will also have more fun programs at the end of December to enjoy during winter break!

Don’t forget to check out our website at library.cityofyankton.org and follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/YanktonLibrary) for upcoming events. For questions, please call the library at 605-668-5275 or email us at library@cityofyankton.org.

Holiday Movie BINGO Weekend

Join the Yankton Community Library for a weekend of Holiday Movie BINGO with a twist!

On Saturday, December 2nd, we’ll watch B-List holiday romcoms full of sappy holiday moments. Mark off cliché storylines like when a big city character moves home, overbearing parents, and crisis at work. Whoever gets a BINGO is entered into a prize drawing! At 11 am, see Holiday in Handcuffs, starring 90’s tv stars Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez. Enjoy Christmas Cupid, starring 2000’s heartthrob Chad Michael Murray at 1 pm, and appreciate Jenny McCarthy in Santa Baby 2 at 2:30 pm!

The entire family can play Holiday Movie BINGO on Sunday, December 3rd, while watching family classics! Mark off holiday-themed BINGO cards featuring spaces like Santa, tinsel, and presents. Watch the 2018 version of The Grinch at 1:30 pm and the cult classic The Nightmare Before Christmas at 3 pm.

Both days will include light refreshments, coloring, puzzles, crafts and a chance to win prizes. Plus, you get to decorate your own Christmas cookie from The Cookie Lady! Plan to spend the whole weekend cuddled up at the library! This event is free of charge, and no registration is required. To make the showing more accessible, closed captions are provided. If you need additional accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the library.

Don’t forget to check out our website at library.cityofyankton.org and follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/YanktonLibrary) for upcoming events. For questions, please call the library at 605-668-5275 or email us at library@cityofyankton.org.

First Friday Coffee

Join us at the Yankton Community Library on the first Friday of each month to learn more about the groups that help support our library.

On Friday, December 1, 2023, the Yankton Community Library Foundation will be hosting refreshments between 9:30 am and 11:30 am. Learn about the mission of the Foundation and how you and your loved ones can support the library through memorials, bequests, and gifts. Free will donations will be accepted.

The Library Foundation will also be selling t-shirts with the library logo: Yankton Community Library, Books are just the beginning. Assorted colors and sizes are available.

Don’t forget to check out our website at library.cityofyankton.org and follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/YanktonLibrary) for upcoming events.

For questions, please call the library at 605-668-5275 or email us at library@cityofyankton.org.

Hall of Trees – Visit Santa & Mrs. Claus

Hall of Trees: December 3, 10, 17 & 22  1 PM – 3 PM
Mead Museum, 82 Mickelson Drive, Yankton, SD 57078
Visit & take photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus on Sundays, December 3, 10, & 17 from 1 PM – 3 PM and during the Radio Angel Tree Present Pick-up Celebration on Friday, December 22 from 1 PM – 3 PM. We will be open daily between November 24 – December 31 from 12 PM – 4 PM for Hall of Trees 2023, except closed on December 25. For the latest information, please visit MeadBuilding.org/halloftrees or call 605-665-3898.

Hall of Trees – Crafts for Kids

Hall of Trees Wednesdays: November 29 ,  December 6, 13, 20 & 27  4 PM – 8 PM
Mead Museum, 82 Mickelson Drive, Yankton, SD 57078
The Mead Museum will have extended hours featuring Christmas crafts for kids on Wednesdays until 8 PM. Be sure to pick up a token at the Information Desk to vote for your 2023 Fan Favorite Tree along with your Tree Bingo & Scavenger Hunt cards. We will be open daily between November 24 – December 31 from 12 PM – 4 PM for Hall of Trees 2023, except closed on December 25. For the latest information, please visit MeadBuilding.org/halloftrees or call 605-665-3898.

2nd Annual Brunch with Santa

The Marine Corps League and Auxiliary will host the 2nd Annual Brunch with Santa on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at the VFW Post # 791 – 209 Cedar St., from 11 am to 2 pm.
Brunch will be served beginning at 11 am.  Santa will arrive at 1 pm.
The event is specifically for children of veterans (any branch of service) in the Yankton area, ages 0 to 17 years.
REGISTRATION is required by calling 605-660-9133 by December 10, 2023.
Monetary donations and gifts are welcomed and arrangements for pick up may be made by calling the number above.  All monetary donations will be used toward the purchase of gifts for the children.

Cowboy Christmas

The 21st annual WJ Ranch Cowboy Christmas will be held Nov. 24-26 at the ranch just seven miles south and a half-mile east of Yankton.

The Cowboy Christmas store is open Friday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It’s brimming with clothing, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, primitives, Christmas décor, food gifts and more. There is something for every person on your list.

The store will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, there will also be horse rides, buggy rides, Model T rides, hayrack rides, a petting zoo, bale maze, trick roping shows, crafts and more. All activities begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Santa Claus will make his way to the ranch on Saturday afternoon from 1-3 p.m. so be sure to plan a visit with him.

There is no admission charge so bring your whole family and enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas.

For more information, call (402) 254-2102 or visit www.schiferlswjranch.com.