Why Sunset Sessions Is Becoming a Must-Stop Summer Tradition Between Sturgis and Deadwood
The sun starts to settle behind the pines.
A cold drink lands on the table.
The smell of BBQ drifts from the smoker.
And somewhere out on the lawn, the first notes of live music fill the canyon.
This is Sunset Sessions at The Canyon Grille.
Held every Thursday and Sunday evening from 5–8 PM throughout the summer, Sunset Sessions brings together live local music, incredible food, sweeping Black Hills views, and the kind of atmosphere that makes people want to stay awhile.
Located between Sturgis and Deadwood at Boulder Canyon Golf Club, Sunset Sessions has quickly become one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a summer evening in the Northern Black Hills. Whether you’re a local looking for a new favorite tradition or a visitor exploring the area, it’s the perfect place to slow down, relax, and experience what makes this region so special.
More Than Just Live Music
Anyone can book a band.
What makes Sunset Sessions different is everything happening around the music.
The setting matters.
The views matter.
The food matters.
As the evening unfolds, guests gather on the lawn overlooking the golf course and surrounding Black Hills National Forest. Families spread out in the grass. Friends settle in with drinks. Travelers stumble upon something they weren’t expecting and end up staying for hours.
The music becomes the soundtrack to the evening.
The experience is what people remember.
It’s casual without feeling ordinary. Energetic without feeling crowded. And unlike many live music venues, there’s no rush to get in and out.
Just great music, great company, and one of the most scenic outdoor settings in the Black Hills.
The Perfect Stop Between Sturgis and Deadwood
One of the things guests love most about Sunset Sessions is how naturally it fits into a day spent exploring the Black Hills.
Spend the afternoon in Deadwood.
Take a scenic drive through the hills.
Explore Sturgis, Spearfish Canyon, or nearby trails.
Then head to The Canyon Grille as the sun begins to drop.
Conveniently located just minutes from both Deadwood and Sturgis, Sunset Sessions has become a favorite stop for visitors looking for something authentic and memorable beyond the usual tourist itinerary.
You don’t need tickets.
You don’t need a membership.
You don’t even need to know who’s playing.
Just show up, grab a seat, order dinner, and enjoy the evening.
Great Music Deserves Great Food
Every memorable summer evening starts with good food and drinks.
At The Canyon Grille, guests can pair live music with hand-cut steaks, premium chops, fresh seafood, burgers, salads, craft cocktails, local beer, and authentic Texas-style BBQ smoked in-house.
Many guests arrive early to enjoy dinner before the music begins.
Others settle in with drinks and appetizers while the sun sets across the canyon.
Either way, the combination is hard to beat.
Fresh food.
Cold drinks.
Live music.
Unmatched views.
It’s everything a Black Hills summer evening should be.
New Performers, Familiar Tradition
One of the things that keeps Sunset Sessions fresh is the variety of artists who take the stage throughout the season.
From talented solo performers and acoustic duos to full trios and regional favorites, every performance brings its own energy while maintaining the laid-back atmosphere that has become the hallmark of the series.
More performances will continue to be announced throughout the season, giving guests plenty of reasons to come back again and again.
The one thing that won’t change?
Every Thursday and Sunday evening from 5–8 PM, the lawn comes alive with music.
Rally Week Is Going to Be Something Special
As the Black Hills prepares to welcome visitors from across the country for the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sunset Sessions is expanding the experience even further.
In addition to the regular Thursday and Sunday evening performances, guests can look forward to additional live music opportunities during Rally week, including daytime performances on the lawn and special entertainment throughout the event.
More details will be announced soon, but the atmosphere is already taking shape.
Cold beer.
Fresh Texas BBQ.
Live music.
Open skies.
And plenty of room to relax between rides.
For riders exploring the Northern Black Hills, The Canyon Grille offers something increasingly hard to find during Rally week: a place to enjoy great food, live entertainment, and beautiful scenery without fighting for parking or navigating crowded downtown streets.
We’re proudly biker-friendly, with easy access, plenty of free parking, and a location that sits naturally along many of the region’s most popular scenic routes.
Whether you’re riding in from Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon, Sturgis, Lead, or beyond, it’s the perfect place to stop, refuel, and enjoy a different side of Rally week.
Built Around the Best Parts of Summer
At its heart, Sunset Sessions is about something simple.
It’s about spending time outside.
Listening to good music.
Sharing a meal.
Watching the sun disappear behind the hills.
It’s about the conversations that last longer than expected.
The extra round of drinks nobody planned on ordering.
The visitors who discover the event by accident and make it part of their trip every year after that.
Those are the moments that turn a live music series into a tradition.
And that’s exactly what Sunset Sessions is becoming.
Join Us for Sunset Sessions
The Black Hills were made to be experienced outdoors.
Sunset Sessions gives you a reason to do exactly that.
Whether you’re a local looking for your new favorite summer tradition, a visitor exploring the Northern Black Hills, or a rider in town for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, we invite you to spend an evening with us.
Live music.
Great food.
Cold drinks.
Unmatched views.
Every Thursday and Sunday from 5–8 PM.
Plan Your Visit
The Canyon Grille at Boulder Canyon
Get Directions
Between Sturgis and Deadwood
Easy Free Parking | Open to the Public
Follow us for upcoming artist announcements, Rally Week entertainment updates, and the latest Sunset Sessions schedule.
Come early.
Stay late.
The best evenings in the Black Hills tend to unfold that way.