🎄 Nov 27, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027
Solvang at Christmas with kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Which weekend to pick
Two weekends have the most going on. The light shows run every night either way.
Dec 4 to 6: the big one
- Fri: tree lighting at 5:30pm
- Sat: parade 11am to 1:30pm, Santa noon to 4pm, carolers 5 to 8pm
- Sun: Santa noon to 4pm, then Buellton's Winter Fest nearby
Expect crowds, so arrive early for the parade and book rooms well ahead.
Dec 11 to 13: the most for kids
- Fri: Elf The Musical at 6pm
- Sat: Santa Paws 10am to noon, museum crawl 11am to 5pm, Santa noon to 4pm, carolers 5 to 8pm, Elf at 6pm
- Sun: Santa noon to 4pm, Nativity Pageant at 4pm
The museum crawl alone can fill a day, with Elsa, story time, crafts and scavenger hunts.
Any day of Julefest
Lights
Julefest Light & Music Show
Every night, Nov 27 to Jan 3, at 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9pm
A 10-minute light and music show in Solvang Park. The 5, 6 and 8pm shows use a traditional soundtrack, and 7 and 9pm use a modern one. From Dec 26 it becomes New Year's Melodies at the same times.
No cost listed
Kids
Nisser Adventure gnome hunt
Daily, Nov 27 to Jan 3, all day
Pick up a list of clues at the Solvang Visitor Center and find the Nisser hidden downtown. Bring the finished hunt back to the Visitor Center for a Solvang keepsake.
No cost listed
Santa
Santa's Village
Nov 27 to Jan 3 in Solvang Park
A village scene with a gingerbread house. Santa himself is only listed on the eight weekend dates in the calendar below.
No cost listed
Julefest calendar
Carolers rove downtown on Saturdays Nov 28 and Dec 5, 12 and 19, 5 to 8pm, weather permitting.
Thanksgiving
15th Annual Solvang Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk
Thu Nov 26, 10am at Sunny Fields Park
A 5K for all ages, listed with no winners. It's at 900 Alamo Pintado Rd, the day before Julefest opens.
$25 registration; ages 10 and under free
Santa
Photos with Santa
Sat Nov 28 and Sun Nov 29, noon to 4pm
At Santa's Village in Solvang Park, rain or shine. Bring Christmas lists. Santa is also there Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20. Photo prices aren't published.
No cost listed
Market
Julefest Maker's Market
Wednesdays Dec 2, 9, 16 and 23, 3 to 7pm
An open-air market of local artisans, gifts and seasonal treats in Solvang Park, rain or shine.
No cost listed
Tree lighting
Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony
Fri Dec 4, begins 5:30pm
In Solvang Park, with a youth choir, caroling and ballerinas circling the tree for the lighting.
No cost listed
Parade
Solvang Julefest Parade
Sat Dec 5, 11am to 1:30pm
This year's theme is Nisser & Nordic Nights, with marching bands, horses, dancers, classic vehicles and floats. Visit Solvang advises arriving early for a viewing spot.
No cost listed
Show
Elf The Musical
Fri Dec 11 and Sat Dec 12, 6pm
A student-led local company performs at the Solvang Festival Theater, 420 Second St. The listed runtime is 2 hours. Box office: 805-686-1789.
Ticketed; price not listed
Santa
Photos with Santa Paws
Sat Dec 12, 10am to noon
A Therapy Dogs of America photo booth in Solvang Park. Bring your own dog or pose with a therapy dog.
Free
Kids
Julefest & Kultur Solvang Museum Crawl
Sat Dec 12, 11am to 5pm
New this year. Elsa and story time at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum from 11am, crafts and scavenger hunts at Elverhøj, a DJ and s'mores at the California Nature Art Museum, and a quiz for kids 8 to 12 at the Viking Museum.
No cost listed; s'mores are for purchase
Show
43rd Annual Solvang Nativity Pageant
Sun Dec 13, 4pm
A community cast with adult and children's choirs, live animals and ballet, at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, 1825 Alamo Pintado Rd.
Free
New Year's Eve
Copenhagen Countdown
Thu Dec 31, 2 to 4pm, with the countdown at 3pm
Count down to New Year's in Denmark at 3pm Pacific, in Solvang Park, rain or shine. There's a live 80's tribute band and activities for kids.
No cost listed
New Year's without staying up
A 3pm countdown
Solvang counts down with Denmark at the Copenhagen Countdown on Dec 31, 2 to 4pm, with the big moment at 3pm Pacific. From Dec 26 to Jan 3, the park's nightly shows switch to New Year's Melodies at 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9pm.
More options are in our New Year's Eve with kids guide.
Add Buellton, next door
Buellton Winter Fest, Sun Dec 6
A free Holiday Village with local vendors and live entertainment, plus 20 tons of snow, a community tree lighting and a new holiday drone show. Pricing for the other activities and the day's hours aren't published.
Santa Ynez Valley Holiday Lights Festival
Dec 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 20 at the botanic garden in River View Park. At the door it's $35, or $20 for kids 12 and under, and the organizer warns it will sell out. Evening hours differ between its own pages, so check before you go.
Plan your trip
Getting there and parking
Solvang is about 2.5 hours from LA and 2.75 hours from Orange County, about 45 minutes past Santa Barbara.
Visit Solvang says parking is free, with public lots at 1639 Copenhagen Dr, 464 Alisal Rd and 1616 Oak St. That isn't specific to Julefest, and the parade route and road closures aren't published.
Staying over
Visit Solvang advises booking Julefest rooms as far ahead as possible and reading the cancellation policy. Since the shows run until 9pm and the drive is long, it's worth staying the night.
More on the area is in our Solvang and Santa Ynez Valley with kids guide.
Also on the Julefest list
Family walking tours, a candlelit evening tour and a trolley light tour are listed, but dates and prices weren't published when we checked. See Visit Solvang's Julefest page for updates.
What we couldn't confirm
Santa photo prices, Visitor Center holiday hours, and what's open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day aren't published yet. Visit Solvang also suggests checking event status before you travel.
Dates and details checked against Visit Solvang and the organizers' pages on Nov 1, 2026.
Get our holiday picks
We'll send the best family things to do near you each week.
Frequently asked questions
When is Julefest in Solvang in 2026?
Nov 27, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. The tree lighting weekend is Dec 4 to 6.
When is the Solvang tree lighting?
Friday, Dec 4, 2026, starting at 5:30pm in Solvang Park.
When is the Solvang Julefest parade?
Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, from 11am to 1:30pm in downtown Solvang. Visit Solvang advises arriving early for a viewing spot.
Is Julefest free?
Some of it is stated as free: Photos with Santa Paws and the Nativity Pageant. Visit Solvang doesn't list a cost for most other events, including the light shows, tree lighting and parade, so check with the organizer if it matters to your plans.
When can kids see Santa in Solvang?
Saturdays and Sundays from Nov 28 to Dec 20, noon to 4pm, at Santa's Village in Solvang Park, rain or shine. No Santa dates are listed from Dec 21 on.
What time are the Solvang light shows?
Every night from Nov 27 to Jan 3, at 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9pm. Each show lasts 10 minutes.
Is parking free in Solvang?
Visit Solvang says yes, with public lots at 1639 Copenhagen Dr, 464 Alisal Rd and 1616 Oak St. That page isn't specific to Julefest, and event-day parking plans aren't published.
How far is Solvang from LA and Orange County?
About 2.5 hours from LA and 2.75 hours from Orange County, about 45 minutes past Santa Barbara.