This year the Solvang Danish Days Foundation will say “Velkommen!” to thousands of residents and visitors for the 82^nd Danish Days celebration from Friday through Sunday, Sept. 14-16.

Here is a schedule of events. More information is posted at www.solvangdanishdays.org.

Friday, Sept. 14

4 p.m.: Free concert by The Rincons in the Solvang Park Gazebo, Mission Drive and First Street.
4 p.m.: Chainsaw carver George Kenny will begin creating wooden sculptures; spectators will be able to view the progress of his work throughout the weekend.
5-10 p.m.: Viking Beer & Wine Garden, with proceeds supporting the Solvang Danish Days Foundation.
7:30 p.m.: The Torchlight Parade begins on Alisal Road at Laurel Avenue and strolls south down Alisal to the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2 next to Solvang Park. Free. All are welcome to participate; candles are provided.
8 p.m.: Opening ceremonies at the Midgaard Pavilion include the introduction of 2018 Danish Maid Christiana Heron and the 2018 grand marshals, Glen and Michele Jacobsen. The Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music, and a short story narrated by Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen.

Saturday, Sept. 15

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street. Cost is $7 or $8 with Danish sausage included). Tickets are being sold in advance at www.solvangdanishdays.org.
9 a.m.: Old World Artisans Marketplace includes demonstrations and artisanal hand-crafted items including Scandinavian arts & crafts, woodworking, papercutting, rosemaling, fabric art, jewelry, pottery, and the ever-popular Danish Sisterhood Booth.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Kid’s Korner has snacks, beverages, games and fun in Solvang Park, including LEGOS and the supervised Play & Rest Area.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Viking Encampment by The Ravens of Odin, a Norse educational group) host, includes reproductions of Viking tools and dwellings as well as historical re-enactments.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Rune reader Tracey Boyer shows you what the rune stones see in your future at Solvang Park.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art. Artisans, craftspeople, storytellers and interactive activities for all ages, plus a Viking selfie station. Free. 1624 Elverhoy Way, 805-686-1211 or www.elverhoj.org
10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Randel McGee performs as Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s favorite author. Readings are at 10:30 a.m. at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum above the Book Loft and 1 p.m. at the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art.
11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Viking Beer & Wine Garden, with proceeds supporting the Solvang Danish Days Foundation.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Æbleskiver cooking demonstration in front of Solvang Restaurant, 1672 Copenhagen Drive; Carol Paaske, a fourth-generation Solvang Dane, will show what it takes to make those doughy rounds of goodness.
11:30 a.m.: Æbleskiver-eating contest determines who can eat the most aebleskiver in five minutes. New to this year’s Saturday contest is competitive eater and eating-challenge queen Raina Huang. Corner of Copenhagen Drive & First Street. Free. All ages welcome.
11:30 a.m.: Magician and comedian Ryan Kane performs in Solvang Park.
1 p.m.: Organ concert by world-renowned organist James Welch, who is “Bach” to entertain guests with the “lighter side” of the organ. His Danish Days concert on the Phelps pipe organ at Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Road, features a mix of tunes from across the centuries, folk melodies, and hits from Baroque to Broadway. A $5 donation is requested.
2:30 p.m.: Danish Days Parade. The action includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, floats, equestrians, Village Dancers and more. Line-up starts at 1:30 p.m. on First Street between Molle Way and Oak Street; parade begins going east on Copenhagen Drive, then north on Alisal Road, west on Mission Drive, south on Fourth Place, east on Copenhagen, south on Second Street, and finishes at Oak Street near Solvang City Hall. Participation is free; apply at www.solvangdanishdays.org.
4 – 10 p.m.: Free concert features performances on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage. All ages welcome. From 4-7 p.m., Danish Playboys Revisited (Richard Diaz and Band); from 7-10 p.m., T-Bone Ramblers.

Sunday, Sept. 16

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street. Cost is $7 or $8 with Danish sausage included). Tickets are being sold in advance at www.solvangdanishdays.org.
9 a.m.: Old World Artisans Marketplace includes demonstrations and artisanal hand-crafted items including Scandinavian arts & crafts, woodworking, papercutting, rosemaling, fabric art, jewelry, pottery, and the ever-popular Danish Sisterhood Booth.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Kid’s Korner has snacks, beverages, games and fun in Solvang Park, including LEGOS and the supervised Play & Rest Area.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Viking Encampment by The Ravens of Odin, a Norse educational group) host, includes reproductions of Viking tools and dwellings as well as historical re-enactments.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Rune reader Tracey Boyer shows you what the rune stones see in your future at Solvang Park.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art. Artisans, craftspeople, storytellers and interactive activities for all ages, plus a Viking selfie station. Free. 1624 Elverhoy Way, 805-686-1211 or www.elverhoj.org
11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s favorite author; 11 a.m. at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, 1 p.m. at the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Æbleskiver cooking demonstration in front of Solvang Restaurant, 1672 Copenhagen Drive; Carol Paaske, a fourth-generation Solvang Dane, will show what it takes to make those doughy rounds of goodness.
11:30 a.m.: Æbleskiver-eating contest determines who can eat the most aebleskiver in five minutes. Corner of Copenhagen Drive & First Street. Free. All ages welcome.
11:30 a.m.: Magician and comedian Ryan Kane performs in Solvang Park.
2 p.m.: Children’s Parade begins at Atterdag Square (Atterdag Road and Copenhagen Drive) and meanders down Copenhagen to Solvang Park. All children and families are welcome. Free; costumes encouraged.
2:45 p.m.: Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park. Danish Maid Christiana Heron closes the festive weekend, followed by the magical comedy of Ryan Kane.