🏗️ $212 million in permits and counting. Sioux Falls keeps building.

April in Sioux Falls has a way of teasing you. One afternoon it feels like flip-flop weather and by morning you're back in your coat, wondering if you dreamed the whole thing. But something about this stretch of the calendar feels undeniably alive.

The city is humming with activity, downtown is filling back up, and if you pay attention, there's something good happening almost every day this week. Here's what's worth your time:

💥 Downtown Restaurant Week Runs Through April 23

The Gist: Downtown Sioux Falls Restaurant Week is underway now through April 23, with participating restaurants offering exclusive chef-crafted dishes designed specifically for the event. This year's participants include Bibisol, Blarney Stone, Cascata, Chef Lance on Phillips, CRAVE, Crawford's, DaDa Gastropub, Harvester Kitchen, Josiah's Coffeehouse, Maribella, Minervas, Nunzios, Parker's, and others across the downtown corridor.

Why It Matters: This is one of the best two weeks of the year to try a downtown restaurant you've been putting off. Chefs lean into these menus with extra intention, and the timing is perfect for a date night or a group dinner while the season is still early enough that you can get a reservation without too much trouble.

🏗️ Sioux Falls Posts $212 Million in Building Permits

The Gist: Sioux Falls issued $212.7 million in building permits through the first quarter of 2026, nearly matching the record-setting pace set in early 2025. The two largest permits issued in March were a $15.3 million addition to the Avera Heart Hospital and the construction contract for a brand-new aquatic center at Kuehn Park, which came in under budget at $14.4 million. New commercial permits alone totaled $128.6 million through March, well ahead of the same period in the prior two years.

Why It Matters: For a city that's been growing at 2%-plus annually, these numbers confirm the construction engine is still running at full speed. The Kuehn Park pool project in particular is good news for southwest-side families: the new facility will more than double current capacity, adding a lazy river, tube slide, zero-depth activity pool, and eight-lane lap pool. Construction is underway now, and the existing pool stays open through summer 2026 while the new one is built.

🥩 Steaks, songs, and serious chimichurri

Tarquin manages to turn a quiet north-side strip mall into a vibrant corner of Buenos Aires with an ease that feels both sophisticated and soulful.

Owner Gabriel keeps the energy high, often moving from greeting tables to serenading them while the kitchen turns out a stellar Churrasco paired with a bright, herb-forward chimichurri.

The shared Parrillada platters and a bottle of newly arrived Lamadrid Malbec make a celebratory dinner feel effortless, especially when finished with a slice of coconut rum glazed Torta de Campo. The Saturday night live music usually ends in a room full of friends, making it a perfectly timed find for an April evening out.

🎁 Curiosities, vintage finds, and shelves full of stories

Jeff and Greg Danz opened Zandbroz Variety, a Phillips Avenue staple, in 1989 after restoring a historic downtown building. Decades later, it remains the local destination for thoughtful gifting as we approach graduation and celebratory spring weekends.

The collection of curated books and vintage nostalgia makes for a slow, pleasant wander. You might find Pendleton blankets alongside fresh NeeDoh shipments, lapel pins, or kitchen gadgets. It is a reliable spot for discovering something unexpected!

Hachiko is a soulful seven-year-old Shiba Inu

He finally knows the comfort of a quiet room and a soft bed. At a manageable small size, he has settled into a low to moderate energy rhythm, preferring peaceful moments over hectic activity.

He is crate trained and gets along well with other dogs and the $300 adoption fee covers his neuter, dental work, and vaccinations. This resilient tan dog is currently waiting for his forever family.

To learn more about this handsome guy,

🎭 Spotlight Theatre: THE NOBLE GNARBLE | Belbas Theater | Sioux Falls | 04/10-04/11 | More 
Dive into an underwater adventure full of imagination and heart.

🐾 Sioux Purr Cats Festival | Sioux Falls Arena | Sioux Falls | 04/11 | More 
Celebrating feline welfare and connecting cats with homes across the Sioux Empire.

👟 Kiwanis: Lace Up For Kids | Cherry Rock Park | Sioux Falls | 04/11 | More 
A community fun run and bake sale supporting local youth initiatives.

🥚 Egg Splash n Dash | Spellerberg Park | Sioux Falls | 04/11 | More 
Festive outdoor egg hunts followed by a celebratory swim at the aquatic center.

📖 Story Time | Child's Play Toys | Sioux Falls | 04/14 | More 
A new book each week: all ages welcome and no registration required.

🥞 69th Annual Lions Pancake Days | Sioux Falls Convention Center | Sioux Falls | 04/14-04/15 | More 
A beloved tradition serving all-you-can-eat breakfast to support community projects.

🍲 Weekly Community Dinner | Sioux Falls Food Co+op | Sioux Falls | 04/15 | More
A simple, delicious, and inclusive meal served in a welcoming neighborhood space.

🤠 PBR First PREMIER Bank: Unleash the Beast | Denny Sanford PREMIER Center | Sioux Falls | 04/10–04/12 | More 
The top 35 bull riders in the world take to the dirt Friday through Sunday!

🛍️ Saturday Market & Car Show | 8th & Railroad | Sioux Falls | 04/11 | More
Vibrant outdoor evening market featuring local vendors, food trucks, and classic cars.

🎵 SDSO: Haydn's Glorious "The Creation" | Mary W. Sommervold Hall, Washington Pavilion | Sioux Falls | 04/11 | More 
One of the most celebrated works in the classical repertoire late in the season.

🥂 Plum’s Private Reserve | Plum's Cooking Co. | Sioux Falls | 04/11 | More 
An exclusive four-course dinner designed for a refined couples' evening.

🍺 The Black Market (formerly Benson's) | W. H. Lyons Fairgrounds | Sioux Falls | 04/11-04/12 | More 
Final chance to explore 30,000 sq ft of collectibles and household goods til October.

🎤 Comedy Open Mic-on | ICON Events + DaDa Gastropub | Sioux Falls | 04/14 | More 
A lively evening featuring local comedic talent in an intimate gastropub setting.

🕯️ Rock Orchestra By Candlelight | Washington Pavilion | Sioux Falls | 04/15 | More Classic rock anthems reimagined with dark, cinematic orchestral arrangements.

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