Staff Report

Dansk New Year invites locals and tourists to celebrate the New Year early from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Solvang as part of the Julefest event, and will entail a countdown to the Danish New Year, including a simulcast of the New Year’s Eve events taking place in Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. The clock strikes midnight in Denmark at 3 p.m. Pacific, and the daytime celebration will also feature holiday goodies, games, music and Danish tradition.

Before the Dansk New Year there is still one more opportunity to see Santa from 12 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21 in Solvang Park. That day also features a one-of-a-kind drone light show called “Aurora Dronealis”, which will be the only holiday drone show of its kind in Southern California, during the month of December. The show will be launched from Lot 72 in downtown Solvang. VIP and general admission grandstand viewing is available for purchase. 

Other Julefest events continuing through the end of the month is the Nisse Adventures using NisseAdventure.com, clues will be provided to lead Nisse hunters to the elves’ various hiding spots. Once adventurers find a Nisse, they will scan a QR Code to continue the hunt and to earn a special prize at each hiding place. Nisse Adventure may be completed at guests’ leisure, but must be completed by January 3, 2020.

The post-Christmas holiday event continues until the annual Christmas Tree Burn and Fire Safety Demonstration from 5 – 7 p.m. on January 3, 2020; (www.SolvangJulefest.org/treeburn). The annual tree burn is held in the fields of Old Mission Santa Inés and supervised by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, is one of the largest fire safety demos and community gatherings on California’s Central Coast. Coordinated by Solvang Parks & Recreation, the Tree Burn will include free, live entertainment and refreshments for purchase. For more information on this special Solvang event, call 805.688.7529.