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Solvang Julefest is Your Perfect Holiday Getaway

By: Haley Bosselman By: Haley Bosselman | November 30, 2021 | Food & Drink Lifestyle Feature

Solvang

One of the greatest privileges of living in California is the readily available access to different climates and environments within just a hour or so’s drive. We love to brag about being able to wake up for a morning surf before hitting the mountains for a day of snowboarding. I mean, how lucky are we that we don’t have to endure a snowy freeze to have access to a place as festive as Santa Claus’ North Pole?

In fact, the ideal merry getaway is just a few hours from Los Angeles right in the Santa Ynez Valley. For the holiday season, Solvang celebrates by putting on Julefest. The month-long event is so spectacular that Oprah Winfrey dubbed it as one of the most magical Christmas towns around the world.

“Solvang Julefest is an iconic holiday season ‘thing’ along California’s Central Coast,” Scott Shuemake said, who serves as the event’s leader. “It shines a twinkly light on Solvang’s Danish heritage. We’re so excited to be able to bring it back this year, for everyone looking for a little bit of a European holiday in Southern California.”

Julefest officially began on Nov. 27 and will run through Jan. 1, 2022. However, festivities really kick off on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. with the tree lighting ceremony at Solvang Park, which will include ballerinas, live entertainment and caroling. The Julefest Parade is set for the very next day, Dec. 4, to keep the celebration alive all weekend long.

See also: All the Holiday Movie Screenigns Happening in L.A.

Solvang

The tree lighting and parade will be pretty special, but the fun continues the whole month. Santa’s Village is open every Saturday leading up to Christmas, as are candlelight tours and the Elverhoj Makers Market. What’s more, the Solvang Food Tour will take place Dec. 4, 11, and 18 for an afternoon of Solvang’s best watering holes, artisan shops and local history. The Nisse Adventure also occurs all through December and challenges visitors to find the mysterious Solvang nisse. Julefest will conclude on Jan. 7, 2022 with a ceremonial tree burn (supervised by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, of course).

Solvang

Solvang at Christmas time makes for a lovely day trip, but we highly recommend committing for the weekend. To get started, in-town experts curated a special itinerary for the perfect visit. The schedule is planned according to Dec. 3-to-5 festivities, but it is full of plenty of activities fit for all of December. See more below.

Vinland Hotel

Friday, December 3, 2021

  • Arrive in Solvang // Check in to Vinland Hotel & Lounge (for 2-night stay) (www.vinlandhotelandlounge.com) // 1455 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93463 // Check-in: 3:00 PM, Check-out: 11:00 AM
  • Solvang Julefest Tree Lighting (www.solvangjulefest.org/treelighting) // 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, Solvang Park, corner of Mission Drive and First Street
  • Dinner at Coast Range & Vaquero Bar, 7:00 PM (www.coastrange.restaurant) // 1635 Mission Drive, Solvang (directly across from Solvang Park)

Saturday, December 4, 2021

  • Breakfast treats at Danish Mill Bakery (www.danishmillbakerysolvang.com) // 1682 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang
  • Solvang Julefest Parade (www.solvangjulefest.org/parade) // @SolvangUSA 11:00 AM, watch from Solvang Park, corner of Mission Drive and First Street
  • Enjoy Santa’s Village in Solvang Park, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM (www.solvangjulefest.org/santasvillage)
  • Lunch at peasants FEAST, 12:30 PM (www.peasantsFEAST.com) // 487 Atterdag Road, Solvang (Try the tacos!)
  • Wine Tasting at Arrowsmith’s Wine Bar, post-lunch (www.arrowsmithwine.com) // 1539-C Mission Drive, Solvang
  • Dinner at Nella Kitchen & Bar, 7:00 PM (www.nellakitchen.com) // 2860 Grand Avenue, in Los Olivos (a 10-minute country drive from Solvang)

Sunday, December 5, 2021

  • Sunday Brunch + Wine Tasting at Roblar Winery and Vineyards, 11:00 AM (www.RoblarWinery.com) // 3010 Roblar Avenue, in Santa Ynez // @RoblarWinery

Solvang

Drive safe! Kom igen!



Tags: travel web-og haley-bosselman holidays

Photography by: Central Coast Pictures / SolvangUSA.com; Vinland Hotel & Lounge