A DELIGHTFULLY DANISH CHRISTMAS

A Delightfully Danish Christmas Solvang’s Julefest brings Scandinavian charm to California Wine Country

By Connor McIlveen

A California Christmas might leave some folks with visions of palm trees instead of sugar plums, but in the Santa Ynez valley, the town of Solvang has created a celebration of the season that is not to be missed. The Solvang Julefest is a month-long festival of holiday cheer, with beautiful lights, tasty treats and decorated streets humming with song. The event spans from November 27 through January 1, and special stand out days provide even more wintery wonderment.

Even without the additional pageantry of the season, Solvang still shines in the winter months thanks to its strong architectural background. Solvang’s rich heritage dates back to 1911 when adventurous Danish-Americans traversed the plains from Iowa to establish a settlement in the golden state of California. After purchasing a stunning 9,000 acres of the former Rancho San Carlos de Jonata, they situated their new community adjacent to the historic Old Mission Santa Inés and created a little Danish home away from home. This Danish architecture that the town has

Danish treats and Christmas cheer are available at many quaint shops

created and preserved provides a perfect backdrop to the holiday season, earning this town its moniker of “Most Christmassy Towns in America” from Time Magazine.

During the entirety of Julefest, visitors are invited to participate in the Nisse Adventure. Hidden throughout the city are mysterious little Scandinavian gnomes known as nisse. Visitors are encouraged to hunt for these little creatures, each with their own QR code that helps hunters keep track of all the nisse they’ve found and gives them clues on where more may be located.

Nisse aren’t the only magical beings invading the quaint Dutch hamlet. Santa’s Workshop makes a stop in town November 27 and is open every Saturday leading up to Christmas day. Children can visit the portly red cheermeister and share their Christmas wish list. Santa will be joined by his usual cadre of elves and his ever loving spouse, who all help transform downtown Solvang into a winter wonderland.

A tree lighting ceremony on December 3 adds even more sparkle to the already twinkling town, which will then play host to the Julefest Parade the following day. Mr. Claus himself will be in attendance, along with over 400 other participants marching down Alisal Road, Copenhagen Drive and adjacent streets in a spectacular display of holiday cheer.

Exploring the town during Julefest is highly encouraged, as the pedestrian-friendly village hosts three museums, 30+ restaurants and bakeries and 150 retail shops, all of which

Christmas trees grace nearly every storefront during Julefest Danish architecture adds provincial charm to this California town

join in on the joyous jubilee. Some of the best restaurants the area has to offer can be sampled in quick succession thanks to the Solvang Food Tour, operating December 4, 11, and 18. For four hours, a professional tour guide leads guests to tastings of local wine, beer, Danish baked goods, chocolate and the fabled aebleskiver, a delicious Dutch pancake ball, all while sharing stories of Solvang’s unique history.

Candlelight tours every Friday in December provide another opportunity for a festive foray into the frosted avenues of Solvang. These tours, however, are led by a Christmas character who not only takes guests on a historic walkabout, but cajoles them into caroling as they wander the winter wonderland.

Elverhoj Museum of History and Art in Solvang hosts a Makers Market each Saturday before Christmas. A curated group of talented artisans from area studios and workshops will showcase and sell their handmade goods on December 4, 11, and 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance to the market is free, and once in, shoppers will be treated to an assortment of gifts perfect for those who couldn’t make the trip. For those who do make it, Solvang’s Julefest is the only present they will need.