GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
MONDAY, JAN. 12
Solvang City Council, 6:30 p.m.
At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang
For more info: cityofsolvang.com
TUESDAY, JAN. 13
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, 9 a.m.
County Administration Building, 105 E Anapamu St., Santa Barbara
For more info: countyofsb.org
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14
Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, 9 a.m.
At Betteravia Government Center, 511 Lakeside Pkwy, Santa Maria
For more info: countyofsb.org
Los Olivos Community Services District, 6 p.m.
At St Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, Stacy Hall,
2092 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos
For more info: www.losolivoscsd.com
THURSDAY, JAN. 15
Solvang Design Review Committee, 5 p.m.
At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang
For more info: cityofsolvang.com
Buellton Planning Commission, 6 p.m.
At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton
For more info: cityofbuellton.com
TUESDAY, JAN. 20
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, 5:30 p.m.
At Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, Administrative Building, 2975 East Highway 246 Santa Ynez
For more info: syvuhsd.org
THURSDAY, JAN. 22
Buellton City Council, 6 p.m.
At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton
For more info: cityofbuellton.com
EVENTS
FRIDAY, JAN. 9
Solvang Tree Burn, 5 p.m.
Solvang Christmas Tree Burn, supervised by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, and one of the largest fire safety demonstrations along the California Central Coast, is a powerful safety demonstration at the start of the New Year, heralding the end of the Solvang Julefest celebration. The 2026 Tree Burn is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 9, at 5 p.m. (weather permitting).
At Mission Santa Ines, 1760 Mission Drive, Solvang
SATURDAY, JAN. 10
Winterlight Dinner Series at Alisal Ranch
Winterlight Dinner Series at Alisal Ranch returns to Alisal Ranch with an immersive candlelit dining experience unlike anything else in the Santa Ynez Valley. Hundreds of glowing candles fill the historic room, creating a warm and romantic setting for an unforgettable evening of food, wine, and live music.
Each Winterlight dinner features a five-course, seasonal menu crafted by the Executive Chef and paired with exceptional local wines or spirits. The series opens January 10 with Storm Wines, continues February 7 with Rod & Hammer SLO Stills, and concludes March 7 with Carhartt Family Wines.
This is the ranch’s only public dining event of the year. Tickets are $150 per person (pre-tax and service fee) and may be purchased through the Ranch Concierge. Guests can also book Winterlight weekend packages, which include dinner tickets and overnight accommodations.
At Alisal Ranch, 1054 Alisal Road, Solvang
For tickets/more info: www.alisalranch.com/experiences/winterlight
FRIDAY, JAN. 23
SYV Concert Series: Takacs Quartet, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Experience an unforgettable evening of chamber music with the world-renowned Takács Quartet as part of the SYV Concert Series. This celebrated ensemble brings precision, passion, and depth to every performance. The program features Beethoven’s String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 2, Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s “Flow,” and Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106. Performers include Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes on violin, Richard O’Neill on viola, and András Fejér on cello.
General admission tickets are $25, with students allowed in for free; Patron tickets are $45. You can purchase season passes or individual tickets online.
At St. Mark’s in the Valley, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos
For tickets more info: www.smitv.org/syv-concert-series.html
ONGOING JULEFEST EVENTS
Light & Music Show, every evening from 5 to 9 p.m.
Every evening during Solvang Julefest, Solvang Park will come alive with all that sparkles and shines! Enjoy a 10-minute light and music display on the hour each night, right in the center of all of Solvang’s holiday magic. Light show times below.
Timeless Echoes: A traditional soundtrack spectacle at 5, 6, and 8 p.m.
Radiant Beats: A modern light and sound odyssey at 7 and 9 p.m.
New Year’s Melodies: A celebration of song and light to kick off the New Year at 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 p.m. running from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4.
At Solvang Park, 1630 Mission Drive, Solvang
Nisser Adventure (scavenger hunt), anytime through Jan. 4
Join in on the city-wide hunt for the mischievous Solvang Nisser (Danish for “gnome”)! This group of Nisser have hidden themselves throughout Downtown Solvang and we need your help tracking them down. Find one, or find them all as you enjoy all that Downtown Solvang has to offer. Fun for the whole family! All Julefest long, pop into the Solvang Visitor Center for a list of clues to the various hiding spots the Nisser frequents.
In Downtown Solvang
ONGOING
TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS
Storytime at Solvang Library, 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Join us indoors on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
Come to enjoy songs, stories, movement, and a warm welcome. Please make a reservation at www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/goleta-valley-library
At Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang
For more info: Solvang Library (805) 688-4214
WEDNESDAYS
Solvang Farmers Market, 2:30 to 6 p.m.
Each week, the farmers in the marketplace display a colorful bounty of agricultural products grown right in our backyard. Seasonal diversity is available year-round rain or shine. Come. Shop. Socialize. Certified — the only way to buy! Join us in downtown Solvang every Wednesday on First Street, between Mission Drive (Highway 246) and Copenhagen Drive.
Wine Wednesdays in Buellton, 4 to 8 p.m.
Please join us for an evening out with family fun for all in Buellton, hosted by Esfuerzo Wines and The Birria Boyz. This event will take place each Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Each week we will have guest food vendors, live music and much more to be announced. We hope to see you there!
At 140 Industrial Way, Buellton
For more info: info@esfuerzowine.com
SPORTS AND RECREATION
ONGOING
Pickleball, Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Pickleball — part Ping-Pong, part badminton, lots of momentum — is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The games can be fast-paced and deliver a good workout. 2 person teams/ or singles. All are welcome!
At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton
For more info: buelltonrec.com
Drop-In Adult Basketball, Year Round, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 6 to 7:15 a.m.
Start your day with a pick up game of basketball with friends.
At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton
For more info: buelltonrec.com
Open Basketball, Ongoing, Mondays, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Start your day with a pick up game of basketball with friends.
At Buellton Rec Center, 301 Second St., Buellton
For more info: buelltonrec.com
For info on these and other programs, go to buelltonrec.com
