One of nation’s ‘Best Christmas Towns’ announces new holiday activities among daily happenings
Solvang has announced new experiences and details for this year’s Solvang Julefest (SolvangUSA.com/things-to-do/solvang-julefest; pronounced ‘Yoola-Fest’), the town’s annual holiday celebration. The seasonal event stretches five weeks, beginning Friday, Nov. 29 and running through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Solvang Julefest 2024 will once again include multiple holiday-themed happenings all located within Solvang, 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 the top one in California.
Solvang Julefest 2024 will include the expansion of the event’s nighttime Makers Market, now scheduled for three Wednesdays in December (Dec. 4, 11, 18 from 3 to 7 p.m.)
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 Nov. 29 through Jan. 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, 6, 7, 8, and 9 p.m.
“Our Denmark-reminiscent village is festive year ‘round, day or night, but the evenings here during Solvang Julefest are extra magical,” said Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy. “The enhancement of our nightly experiences, and the addition of new daily offerings, provide locals and visitors with a month-plus worth of opportunities to create new holiday memories. And what better place to do that, than in one of America’s most Christmassy towns.”
The popularity of the Solvang Julefest Candlelight Tours has sparked the addition of new Solvang Jul Daylight Tours on select dates beginning Nov. 30, running through Dec. 28. 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 a.m.; advance purchase is required, and tickets are now available at eventbrite.com/o/solvang-hyggehuset-55482949883.
The nighttime tour counterpart, Solvang Julefest Candlelight Tours will also be offered on select dates beginning Nov. 30,running through Dec. 28. 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 eventbrite.com/o/solvang-hyggehuset-55482949883.
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 available at book.peek.com/s/d6109943-5251-4516-a496-44bbb4f8858c/6aw07.
The start to Solvang’s holiday season is marked by the Solvang Julefest Tree Lighting Ceremony, set for Friday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. 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 p.m.
The following morning, Saturday, Dec. 7 (11 a.m.), 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 to 4 p.m.
Solvang Julefest Santa meet-and-greets and photo ops will continue Saturdays and Sundays during December (Dec. 14, 15, 21, and 22), from 12 to 4 p.m. in Solvang Park. Entertaining holiday revelers throughout downtown Solvang will be a merry band of carolers, Christmas Matters, singing from 4 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 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 Nov. 29 and Jan. 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, Dec. 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Solvang Park. Guests are invited to count down to New Year’s in Denmark (3 p.m. PST) 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, Jan. 10, 5 p.m. (weather permitting).
Solvang Julefest 2024 is produced by the City of Solvang (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 SolvangUSA.com/things-to-do/solvang-julefest.
Feature Image: People gather around the lighted Christmas tree in Solvang Park during the tree lighting in 2023. This year’s tree-lighting, considered by many the kickoff to Julefest, is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 29.
