Solvang Danish Days

2022 theme: Velkommen Igen (Welcome Again)

September 16-18, 2022 

Free, SolvangDanishDays.com
$, Breakfast, Foods, Beverages, Tours; Dane For A Day  VIP ticket bundle (online only) for perks such as quicker entrance to the Saturday and/or Sunday Aebleskiver Breakfasts

Solvang Danish Days boasts plentiful free entertainment paying homage to the Central Coast city's roots with (3) three parades, Danish folk dancers and musicians, and free concerts. Celebrating the establishment of Solvang by Danish-Americans in 1911, experience costumed Danes, Aebleskiver eating contest, Axe Throwing, Food & Beverages and more!

The weekend's varied offerings include activities for all ages ranging from the iconic Danish pastry, Aebleskiver; to a Danish-style beer and wine garden serving Danish import, Carlsberg beer, alongside local brews, wines and festival eats; to an axe throwing arena; interactive history lessons at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art; story time sessions with Hans Christian Andersen; to a guided Solvang Food & Photo Tour; and, an Old World artisanal crafts marketplace.
 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

• 4-9 p.m. Axe Throwing ages 13+. Closed-toe shoes required. Axe throwing continues on Saturday. 
• 4-7 p.m. T-Bone Ramblers band in Solvang Park
• 5 p.m. Free Concert with 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. Concert is free and open to the public.
• 5 p.m. - 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 provided. Route begins at Alisal Road and Laurel Avenue, strolling south down Alisal 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 2020, 2021, and 2022 Danish Maids. Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music.

 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2022

• 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive at First Street, $10-12
• 9 a.m. Old World Artisans Marketplace - Demonstrations and artisan hand-crafted items including Scandinavian arts & crafts, woodworking, papercutting (papirklip), rosemaling, fabric art, jewelry, pottery, and Danish Sisterhood Booth. An open-air Nordic shopping district of finely crafted items, on First Street.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kid's Korner featuring the popular LEGO tent  in Solvang Park.
• 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Rune Reader, Tracey Boyer  Free; step up and ask the rune stones about your fate.
• 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Living History Day with craftspeople, artisans, and storytellers at Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way.  Snap a selfie at the Viking photo stop stocked with costumes and props. Elverhoj.org
• 10:30 a.m. Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen presents tales from Denmark's favorite author at Hans Christian Andersen Museum (at The Book Loft)
• 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Axe Throwing ages 13+
• 11:30 a.m. Free Aebleskiver Eating Contest 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.
• 12-4 p.m. Guided Solvang Food & Photo Tour led by Santa Barbara's 'Eat This, Shoot That!' Tickets: eatthisshootthat.com
• 12-9 p.m. Viking Outdoor Beer & Wine Garden ages 21+
• 1 p.m. Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen presents tales from Denmark's favorite author at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art
• 2:30 p.m. 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;  SolvangDanishDays.org/contact-us.
• 3-9 p.m. Free Concerts featuring Low Down Dudes and T-Bone Ramblers at Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2 adjacent to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022

• 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive at First Street, $10-12 Tickets: solvang-danish-days-2022. eventbrite.com.
• 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Kid's Korner LEGO tent, in Solvang Park
• 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Rune Reader, Tracey Boyer in Solvang Park. Step up and ask the rune stones about your fate, free.
• 11 a.m. Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen presents tales from Denmark's favorite author at Hans Christian Andersen Museum (at The Book Loft)
• 1 p.m. Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen presents tales from Denmark's favorite author at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art
• 2 p.m. Children's Parade begins at Copenhagen Drive at Atterdag Square (corner of Atterdag Road) to Solvang Park. No charge to participate, and costumes are encouraged.
• 2:30 p.m. Danish Days Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park

Three Danish Maids preside over the weekend's events:

• 2022 Danish Maid, Aleena Madrid, the first 3rd generation Danish Maid, follows in the royal footsteps of her mother and grandmother (Ashlee Madrid - 1999, and Glenda Jaeger Madrid - 1971)
• 2021 Danish Maid, Kayla Bandel, age 32, is making Danish Days history as the oldest Danish Maid to hold the title which is traditionally bestowed upon a high school senior
• 2020 Danish Maid, Isabella Lopez

About the Solvang Danish Days Foundation
In early 1995, the Solvang City Council approached Santa Ynez Valley residents from long-established, local Danish families and other interested groups about possibly setting up a non-profit foundation - Solvang Danish Days Foundation - to formally plan and organize the increasingly popular, annual Danish Days festivities. 

Since Solvang Danish Days' modest beginnings in 1936, when the festival debuted to commemorate the village's 25th anniversary, the event has set out to celebrate Solvang's Danish heritage with authentic food, music, dancing, parades, live entertainment, and family activities.
 

All events listed here are subject to change or cancellation. Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.