FRIDAY, SEPT. 20, 2024

4 to 7 p.m.: Free Concert – Catch local band Sean Wiggins & lOne gOat, performing live on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2, in downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome; must be 21 years or older to enter Viking Beer & Wine Garden.

4 to 9 p.m.: Axe Throwing – An axe-throwing arena in downtown Solvang. Participants must be 13 years of age or older to enjoy. Ages 13-17 need to have a parent or guardian present. Closed-toe shoes required. Axe throwing continues on Saturday and Sunday.

4 to 9 p.m.: Viking Beer & Wine Garden – Outdoor beer and wine garden; supports the Solvang Danish Days Foundation. Viking Beer & Wine Garden continues on Saturday. (Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages.)

7:30 p.m.: Torchlight Parade – Free for participants, all ages welcome, candles will be provided. Route begins at Alisal Road and Laurel Avenue, strolling south down Alisal Road and ending at the Midgaard Pavilion Stage (in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden).

8 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies in Solvang Park introducing the 2024 Danish Maid, Kaeley Reid. Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21, 2024

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive between First and Second Streets, $10 per person (with Danish sausage, $12). Tickets available online in advance, or at the event entrance.

9 a.m.: Old World Artisans Marketplace –Demonstrations and artisan hand-crafted items, including Scandinavian arts & crafts, woodworking, papercutting (papirklip), rosemåling, fabric art, jewelry, pottery, and the ever-popular Danish Sisterhood Booth. An open-air Nordic shopping district of finely crafted items, on First Street.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Expanded Kid’s Korner featuring the popular LEGO® tent, in Solvang Park, plus Luna’s Jumps attractions on First Street (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition – Watch the creative process as three of California’s top brick builders compete against each other with their own supersized takes on three of Solvang’s prized windmills. Builders will be located in Solvang Park. (Building continues Sunday morning.)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Living History Days at Elverhøj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.Elverhoj.org). Exhibits come to life during this free, interactive history lesson for all ages. Craftspeople, artisans, and storytellers demonstrate their skills and entertain visitors. Snap a selfie at the Viking photo stop stocked with costumes and props.

10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.: John and Ashley Clark, Hans Christian Andersen Storytimes – Young and old alike will enjoy listening to hours of tales from Denmark’s favorite author. Saturday readings: 10:30 a.m. at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (at The Book Loft), 1 p.m. at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Axe Throwing – An axe throwing arena in downtown Solvang (see Friday’s listing).

11:30 a.m.: Free Æbleskiver Eating Contest – Contest will be held in the Midgaard Pavilion in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome for this five-minute competition.

12 to 4 p.m.: Guided Solvang Food Tour – Led by Santa Barbara’s ‘Eat This, Shoot That!‘, discover the best comfort food, hidden watering holes, and artisan shops in downtown Solvang while learning about the local history. Tourincludes 8-9 tastings and foodie locations, bites, and sips – with a professional tour guide – while learning foodie photo tips and tricks using your smartphone’s camera. Details available at eatthisshootthat.com/tours/solvang (Advance ticket purchase is required.)

12 to 9 p.m.: Viking Beer & Wine Garden – supports the Solvang Danish Days Foundation. (Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages.)

2:30 PM: Danish Days Parade – 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 by turning east on Copenhagen Drive, then north on Alisal Road, west on Mission Drive, south on Fourth Place, east on Copenhagen, south on Second Street, finishes at corner of Oak Street near Solvang City Hall. NO CHARGE to participate in the parade; applications are available at www.SolvangDanishDays.org/contact-us.

3:30 to 10:30 p.m.: Free Concerts featuring live performances on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2, in downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome (must be 21 years or older to enter Viking Beer & Wine Garden). Concerts are free and open to the public. Out Of The Blue performs 3:30 to 6 p.m.; The Molly Ringwald Project performs 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22, 2024

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive between First and Second Streets (see Saturday’s listing). Advance tickets available for sale at solvang-danish-days-2024.eventbrite.com.

9 a.m.: Old World Artisans Marketplace –Demonstrations and artisan. An open-air Nordic shopping district of finely crafted items, on First Street (see Saturday listing).

10:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition – Watch the conclusion of the creative process as three of California’s top LEGO builders compete against each other with their own, supersized takes on three of Solvang’s prized windmills. Builders will be located in Solvang Park. Judging of the builds begins at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a 3 p.m. winner announcement for the best build, which will occur during the Solvang Danish Days Closing Ceremony.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Axe Throwing – An axe throwing arena in downtown Solvang. (See Friday listing)

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Expanded Kid’s Korner featuring the popular LEGO® tent, in Solvang Park, plus Luna’s Jumps attractions on First Street.

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Living History Days at Elverhøj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.Elverhoj.org). (See Saturday listing).

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: John and Ashley Clark, Hans Christian Andersen Storytimes – Denmark’s favorite author reads hours of tales. Sunday readings: 11 a.m. at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (at The Book Loft), 1 p.m. at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art.

12 to 2 p.m.: Free Concert – Terry & The Ripleys perform live in the Solvang Park Gazebo.

2 p.m.: Children’s Parade – Parade begins at Atterdag Square (corner of Atterdag Road and Copenhagen Drive) and meanders down Copenhagen to Solvang Park. All children and families are welcome to join this event; no charge to participate, and costumes are encouraged.

3 p.m.: Danish Days Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park – The 2024 Danish Days Maid closes the festive event weekend, with a live music performance to follow.

All events listed here are subject to change or cancellation.