Solvang Julefest 2024

Solvang’s 2024 Solvang Julefest (www.SolvangUSA.com/things-to-do/solvang-julefest; pronounced ‘Yoola-Fest’), the Santa Ynez Valley wine country town’s annual holiday celebration, stretches five weeks, beginning Friday, November 29, 2024, running through Sunday, January 5, 2025. Solvang Julefest 2024 will once again include multiple holiday-themed happenings all located within the walkable California Central Coast travel destination frequently listed as one of the nation’s “most Christmassy towns,” and this year, voted as one of the “Best Christmas Towns” in the U.S., and “#1” in California.

Solvang, also known as “The Danish Capital of America,” offers a getaway opportunity for travelers looking for a European-style holiday atmosphere without the transatlantic travel. Solvang Julefest 2024 will play upon this fortuitous facet with the expansion of the event’s nighttime Makers Market, now scheduled for three Wednesdays in December (December 4, 11, 18; 3:00 PM-7:00 PM).

The open-air night markets, fashioned after traditional European Christmas markets, will feature a village of crafters and local artisans offering one-of-a-kind holiday gift ideas, seasonal treats, and more in the village’s central Solvang Park (corner of Mission Drive and First Street). Solvang Park is also the location of the nightly Light & Music Shows, running November 29 through January 5. The holiday themed, choreographed light and music display, which is free to attend, entails two different shows that will alternate on the hour each evening. Showtimes will be 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM.

The popularity of the Solvang Julefest Candlelight Tours has sparked the addition of new Solvang Julefest Daylight Tours on select dates beginning November 30, running through December 28, 2024. Guests will stroll the streets of Solvang, lined with unique shops and delicious foods including the village’s iconic Danish pastries, during the morning tours 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 10:00 AM; advance purchase is required, and tickets are now available at this link.

 The nighttime tour counterpart, Solvang Julefest Candlelight Tours will also be offered on select dates beginning November 30, running through December 28, 2024. The Solvang Julefest Candlelight Tours will provide 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; tickets are now available at this link. 

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. Solvang Trolley Tour tickets are now available at this link.

The start to Solvang’s holiday season is decidedly marked by the Solvang Julefest Tree Lighting Ceremony, set for Friday, December 6, 2024, at 5:30 PM 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 PM.

The following morning, Saturday, December 7 (11:00 AM), 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 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Solvang Julefest Santa meet-and-greets and photo ops will continue Saturdays and Sundays during December (December 14, 15, 21, and 22), from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM in Solvang Park. Entertaining holiday revelers throughout downtown Solvang will be a merry band of carolers, Christmas Matters, singing 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on December 7, 14, and 21.

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 introduced a New Year’s event, the “Copenhagen Countdown,” scheduled for Tuesday, December 31, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM in Solvang Park. Guests are invited to count down to New Year’s in Denmark (3:00 PM 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 3, 5:00 PM (weather permitting).

Dog-friendly and ideal for kids, Solvang Julefest promotes family fun and adventure through traditional, holiday-favorite activities with the addition of more-adult, wine country entertainment.

Solvang Julefest 2024 is produced by the City of Solvang (www.CityofSolvang.com). All Solvang Julefest events are open to the public with either free or paid admission. More information and event updates will be available at www.SolvangUSA.com/things-to-do/solvang-julefest.

About the City of Solvang:

Referred to as “The Danish Capital of America,” the City of Solvang is located in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Founded by a group of Danish-Americans in 1911 and incorporated in 1985, Solvang offers a taste of Denmark in Southern California. Danish design and Old World charm fill Solvang’s numerous interior courtyards, cozy communal spaces, and open-air venues, where vacation itineraries for all unfold. The walkable town features plentiful free parking options for locals and visitors, and more than 20 lodging options for staycation-ers, weekenders and midweek travelers, from classic comfort to luxury-level. The Solvang Visitor Center, located at 1639 Copenhagen Drive, is open daily, 9:30 AM-5:30 PM (closed briefly for lunch). For more information, including travel itinerary ideas and inspiration for things to do, where to eat and drink, and places to stay, follow our adventures on Instagram and Facebook: @SolvangUSA and facebook.com/VisitSolvangUSA.

Please Note: Always check status of events and all event updates prior to making travel plans.

To reference the article on TIME.com titled “The 9 Most Christmassy Towns in America,” see: https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages

To reference the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards winner listing for “Best Christmas Town,” see: https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice/best-christmas-town 

www.SolvangUSA.com · @SolvangUSA · facebook.com/VisitSolvangUSA