It’s a little bit Denmark. It’s a little bit California. And it’s a whole lot of Christmas in December! Solvang, “the Danish Capital of America,” turns on the holiday charm at Julefest (pronounced ‘Yoola-Fest’), happening now through January 5. It’s a wonderful time of year to visit this charming Santa Ynez Valley village and savor all the seasonal events and goodies.

Where to Stay

The Landsby

The modern, Scandinavian-style hotel in bucolic Solvang (founded in 1911 by three Danish pioneers), is equipped with an on-site eatery, Mad & Vin (“food and wine” in Danish) and a lobby bar. Outfitted by Santa Monica–based design firm Studio Collective, the serene refuge is dotted with fluffy, flokati throws, charcoal-hued wooden headboards, brass task lamps, Eames-style molded desk chairs and black-and-white graphic prints.

Hotel Ynez

Located at the crossroads of Solvang and Santa Ynez, this secluded, two-acre property with 18 rooms is nestled on two private acres studded with redwood, oak and Madrone trees, native gardens, bonfire pits and a grassy outdoor pavilion for nights under the stars. Relaxed yet sophisticated, the property provides a respite from urban living and a place where modern travelers can lounge in hammocks on their private patio, soak up California sunrays in Adirondack chairs and savor local wines by the fire. Each of the property’s 22 guestrooms interiors are outfitted with Fili’d Oro bedding, comfortable club chairs, vintage vanities, hand-painted tile, local art, and retro mini-bars. Guests can set out on hotel bikes to explore the area, savor happy hour in the garden with wines from nearby vineyards, and order pre-seasoned BBQ cookout kits delivered to their patio with personal Weber grills.

What To Do

The start to Solvang’s holiday season begins with the Solvang Julefest Tree Lighting Ceremony, set for Friday, December 6 at 5:30 p.m. in Solvang Park. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is once again slated to include ballerinas encircling the Solvang Christmas tree, other live entertainment, caroling, and the much-anticipated tree lighting at about 6:30 p.m.

The following morning, Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m., the 2024 Solvang Julefest Parade, carrying the theme of “Gingerbread Dreams,” will feature marching bands, horses, classic cars, plus more parade floats and entries’ enticing theme interpretation. Post-parade, Julefest boasts a free opportunity to meet Santa Claus in Solvang Park, from 2 to 4 p.m. 

Solvang Park will also host the nightly Light & Music Shows, running through January 5. The holiday themed, choreographed light and music display, which is free to attend, offers two different shows that alternate on the hour each evening. Showtimes will be 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m.

The popularity of the Solvang Julefest Candlelight Tours has sparked the addition of new Solvang Jul Daylight Tours on select dates through December 28. Guests will stroll the streets of Solvang, lined with unique shops and delicious foods including the village’s iconic Danish pastries, led by a local Dane dressed in traditional folk garb. Immersed in Solvang’s rich heritage, attendees will experience Solvang’s Jul spirit through taste, sight and sound, learning how Solvang keeps its Danish Jul traditions alive. Tours begin at 10 a.m.; advance purchase is required.

The nighttime tour counterpart, Solvang Julefest Candlelight Tours also run through December 28, providing special holiday experiences for locals and visitors as they traverse the village of Solvang, accompanied by Christmas carols and an entertaining education about some Danish traditions and Solvang history. Guided by a costumed host, all tour participants will receive an LED candle to hold during the tour. Advance purchase is required.

Additional evening entertainment options include the Solvang Trolley Christmas Light Tour, available via advance purchase for Thursday through Sunday nights throughout December. Guests will tour the lights of the Santa Ynez Valley, passing through decorated neighborhoods and past illuminated storefronts, all aboard one of Solvang’s recognizable Trolleys.

Another daily Solvang Julefest activity is the now-annual Nisser Adventure, where participants join in a city-wide hunt for the mysterious Solvang Nisser (Christmas elves) which have hidden themselves throughout downtown Solvang. Nisse-hunters of all ages may stop by the Solvang Visitor Center between November 29 and January 5, for a list of clues to the various hiding spots that the Nisser frequent. Once participants have found each Nisse, they may return to the Visitor Center to receive a special Solvang keepsake.

Solvang Julefest 2024 also introduces a New Year’s event, the “Copenhagen Countdown,” scheduled for Tuesday, December 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Solvang Park. Guests are invited to count down to New Year’s in Denmark (3 p.m. Pacific) with live music, children’s activities and crafts, and vendors (further details TBA).

Serving as Julefest’s unofficial finale, is the annual Solvang Christmas Tree Burn. Usually held in early January as a close to each year’s Solvang Julefest celebration, Solvang’s Tree Burn is considered to be one of the largest fire safety demonstrations along the California Central Coast. The 2025 Tree Burn is currently scheduled for Friday, January 10 at 5 p.m. (weather permitting).