Solvang Danish Days

Solvang Danish Days Danish Days celebrates Solvang’s history and heritage with authentic food, music, dancing, parades, family-friendly experiences, and so much more!
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September 18-20, 2026 In 1936, the first Solvang Danish Days festival emerged in honor of the village’s 25th anniversary. Ever since, Danish Days celebrates Solvang’s heritage with authentic food, music, dancing, parades, live entertainment and family activities. In 1946, a reporter from the Saturday Evening Post (an influential magazine of the day) visited during Danish Days and the article that

appeared in January 1947 put Solvang on the national map. It stated, in part, “Solvang . . . a spotless Danish village that blooms like a rose in California’s charming Santa Ynez Valley. Old country charm and customs have been successfully fused with the American way of life. Nowadays . . . the quaint village is busy living up to its affectionate name, ‘Little Denmark’.”

In the ensuing years, Solvang Danish Days continued to grow and became a signature community event. In early 1995, the Solvang City Council approached people from long-established local Danish families and other interested groups about possibly setting up a non-profit foundation to formally plan and organize the increasingly popular annual festivities. The original board members of the Solvang Danish Days Foundation were Ken Andersen, Brenda Anderson, Hans Birkholm, Max Hanberg, Howard Petersen, David Rasmussen and Henry Skytt. The Foundation members meet throughout the year to plan and organize the celebration. Donations and volunteers are always welcome. Visit Contact Us for more information. Mange Tak (Many Thanks in Danish) to all who serve, host, visit and celebrate Solvang Danish Days!

"It’s That Time Again: Applications Open for 2026 Solvang Danish Days Maid" ~ Noozhawk [Apply by April 13, 2026!]We’re c...
03/15/2026

"It’s That Time Again: Applications Open for 2026 Solvang Danish Days Maid" ~ Noozhawk [Apply by April 13, 2026!]

We’re currently taking applications for this year’s (2026) .🇩🇰 Applicants must submit a letter expressing their interest, which should include details about their Danish and/or family history, any previous participation in Danish Days, and what representing the festival as Danish Maid means to them.

Applicants must be willing to commit to the entire Danish Days weekend (📌Friday through Sunday, Sept. 18-20), and 3 local parades (Fourth of July, in early-December, and Danish Days weekend).

Preference will be given to candidates who will be high school juniors or seniors during the fall of 2026, although this is not a strict requirement.

During the festival weekend, the Danish Maid will have honorary positions in the Danish Days Parade, and will need to be available for media interviews and other event appearances.

Applications may be emailed to [email protected]. The application deadline is APRIL 13, 2026!📆

Stay tuned for further details about this year’s ! , , , free family entertainment, beer, wine and foodie experiences will once again be involved.🍻





The Solvang Danish Days Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 2026 Danish Maid position. Applicants

Glædelig Jul to our “Win a Trip” WINNER!!!🏆✈️🇩🇰The 2025 Solvang Danish Days “Win a Trip for 2 to  ” opportunity drawing ...
12/13/2025

Glædelig Jul to our “Win a Trip” WINNER!!!🏆✈️🇩🇰
The 2025 Solvang Danish Days “Win a Trip for 2 to ” opportunity drawing winner is Amanda H. from Alameda, California. Congrats, Amanda! 🙌
The winning 2025 ticket was drawn after the Parade on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in Park.
{📷 here: 2025 , Addie Madrid, pulling the winning ticket after the , and 2025 Celebration Co-Chair with the assist.🏒}
Get ready to try your luck again, next year! 2026 Danish Days opportunity drawing tickets will be available at various Solvang merchants leading up to — and during — Danish Days weekend.
***Next year’s event weekend is September 18-20, 2026.***

Will *YOU* win this year’s “Trip to Denmark” opportunity drawing?! ✈️If you still need to buy drawing tickets, many of S...
11/29/2025

Will *YOU* win this year’s “Trip to Denmark” opportunity drawing?! ✈️
If you still need to buy drawing tickets, many of Solvang’s merchants have them available for sale.
🚨Get yours this weekend; ticket sales END December 1st!
The ticket drawing date is Saturday, December 6, during , when 2025 Addie Madrid draws the winning ticket post-Julefest Parade in Solvang Park.
Get your tickets THIS WEEKEND, then join the Solvang Danish Days Foundation and this year’s Danish Maid in Solvang Park at approximately 12 noon, December 6th, and find out who’s headed to Denmark! 🇩🇰
{p.s. Don’t miss your chance to meet Santa Claus as well, post-Julefest Parade in Solvang Park.🎅🏻}
We’ll soon, and we’ll announce the drawing winner on the channels once we know who that might be...!
📷: Carl Barth Images

MANGE TAK ♥️🇩🇰Each year, our community and local businesses gather in support of our annual Solvang Danish Days festival...
10/18/2025

MANGE TAK ♥️🇩🇰
Each year, our community and local businesses gather in support of our annual Solvang Danish Days festival. If didn’t have this support and funding, it wouldn’t happen.
It takes a village to produce this Danish heritage festival, and we could not be more grateful to all of our fans, friends, and especially, our volunteers and sponsors. 🙏
We’ll see you all next September!
City of Solvang
Chumash Foundation
Rio Vista Chevrolet
Visit the Santa Ynez Valley
Santa Barbara Bowl

County of Santa Barbara
Montecito Bank & Trust






coast.rentals



Solvang Chamber of Commerce
…and so many more!

"Solvang marked its 88th Solvang Danish Days   with parades, music, food and family activities, as the three-day celebra...
09/24/2025

"Solvang marked its 88th Solvang Danish Days with parades, music, food and family activities, as the three-day celebration embraced the theme 'Be Happy — Vær Glæde!'

The annual festival, held Friday through Sunday, featured traditions dating back to 1936, including the popular breakfasts and contests, reenactments, folk dancing and artisans showcasing Danish crafts.

Aebleskiver were a crowd favorite, with about 2,400 plates — more than 7,000 total — served at the breakfasts, according to event organizer the Foundation." ~ Lompoc Record

Same time next year?!?! Solvang Danish Days 2026 will be: Friday-Sunday, September 18-20, 2026🇩🇰

City of Solvang // Visit Solvang USA // Solvang Chamber of Commerce

Solvang marked its 88th Danish Days Festival with parades, music, food and family activities, as the three-day celebration embraced the theme “Be Happy — Vær Glæde!”

"PASTRYVILLE? That might be a solid alias for Visit Solvang USA, but there are other nicknames that suit the   hamlet. W...
09/18/2025

"PASTRYVILLE? That might be a solid alias for Visit Solvang USA, but there are other nicknames that suit the hamlet. Windmill-vania would also work, or Clog Central, or any other handle that sassily identifies the town as the go-to for all things . But if you really want to bask in 's ultimate Pastryville, Windmill-vania spirit, you'll want to dance your way to Solvang Danish Days, the seriously long-running celebration that occurs each September." ~ NBC LA ☺️

is THIS WEEKEND! September 19-21, 2025 🇩🇰

The Viking Beer Garden and Æbleskiver Eating Contests are part of the town-wide festivity.

"The Solvang Danish Days Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 Solvang Danish Days Grand Marshals, Brenda and Mark ...
09/17/2025

"The Solvang Danish Days Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 Solvang Danish Days Grand Marshals, Brenda and Mark Anderson. The Andersons will preside over this year’s weekend, Friday through Sunday, September 19 through 21." ~ News Channel 3-12

CONGRATS, Brenda and Mark! And thank you for your many years of service to Danish Days! 🥰🇩🇰

Below is a press release from The Solvang Danish Days Foundation regarding the announcement of the 2025 Danish Grand Marshals, Brenda and Mark Anderson

Is it too early to start your holiday shopping?? NOPE.The Solvang Danish Days Old World Artisans Marketplace will be ope...
09/15/2025

Is it too early to start your holiday shopping?? NOPE.

The Solvang Danish Days Old World Artisans Marketplace will be open Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21, with these vendors and more! (Marketplace opens at 9:00am both days.)

Located on First Street next to Solvang Park and the Viking encampment. Start those engines!

Solvang’s Danish Days festival (Sept 19-21, 2025) features an Old World Artisans Marketplace where Solvang’s Danish heritage is celebrated with Scandinavian-inspired crafts.

The Vikings are coming ⚔️...back to Solvang Danish Days!We’re thrilled to welcome The Vikings of Bjornstad to this year’...
09/09/2025

The Vikings are coming ⚔️...back to Solvang Danish Days!
We’re thrilled to welcome The Vikings of Bjornstad to this year’s weekend. The Vikings of Bjornstad is a living history and educational group, concentrating on the Viking age — from 793 through 1066 AD.
This year’s Viking Encampment will be in Solvang Park, in the center of town, and The Vikings of Bjornstad will perform “The Viking Art of War,” a demonstration of Viking age weapons and tactics, both Saturday and Sunday of Danish Days weekend.
🗓️ Solvang Danish Days 2025 :: Fri-Sun, Sept 19-21 🇩🇰
More information about The Vikings of Bjornstad is available at: https://www.vikingsofbjornstad.com
***All 📷s here are courtesy of The Vikings of Bjornstad.***

"Solvang Danish Days, known as 'California’s No. 1    ,' returns from Sept. 19-21, 2025 for a spirited weekend of Danish...
09/06/2025

"Solvang Danish Days, known as 'California’s No. 1 ,' returns from Sept. 19-21, 2025 for a spirited weekend of Danish-American traditions.

From delicious pastries to epic reenactments, presents a one-of-a-kind Danish experience that is well worth the drive." 🥰 ~ Secret Los Angeles

Visit Solvang USA // City of Solvang // Solvang Chamber of Commerce

Solvang Danish Days is back this September, presenting a fully immersive Danish cultural experience 2 hours from L.A.

"The 'Danish Capital of America' is once again preparing to welcome the world to its little slice of Copenhagen.🇩🇰Visit ...
08/27/2025

"The 'Danish Capital of America' is once again preparing to welcome the world to its little slice of Copenhagen.🇩🇰

Visit Solvang USA, located in the in the heart of County , has released the latest details about the upcoming weekend-long known as Solvang Danish Days, which will take place next month.

The popular citywide celebration will return Sept. 19-21, bringing back popular events that highlight the history of the town and its intimate connection with the Scandinavian nation."

KTLA 5 News 🥰 // City of Solvang // Solvang Chamber of Commerce

The “Danish Capital of America” is once again preparing to welcome the world to its little slice of Copenhagen. Solvang, located in the Santa Ynez Valley in the heart of Santa Barbara C…

Bring the kiddos! Solvang Danish Days 2025 will include all of the family-friendly favorites, like:📚   Storytimes (Fri, ...
08/24/2025

Bring the kiddos! Solvang Danish Days 2025 will include all of the family-friendly favorites, like:
📚 Storytimes (Fri, Sat, Sun)
🌳 Kid’s Korner in , featuring the popular tents, face painting, activities, games and fun, plus Luna’s Jumps attractions (10am-5pm, Sat & Sun)
🧜🏼‍♀️ Living History at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art (Sat & Sun)
🍽️ All-ages Æbleskiver Eating Contest (Sat & Sun)
🛻 Multiple parades, including Sunday’s Children’s Parade
🍪…and all of the Danish treats that their little tummies desire.
Check our website for schedule updates as we have them: **This year’s event weekend runs Fri-Sun, September 19-21.**
📍Don’t forget: 2025 ‘Dane For A Day’ ticket packages are NOW on sale!
https://Solvang-Danish-Days-2025.eventbrite.com (< link is also in bio)
Single Aebleskiver Breakfast tickets are also ON SALE for the 2025 event weekend. Get your Breakfast tickets in advance and skip the onsite ticket sales line.
📷s 1, 3, 5: Visit Solvang USA

Address

1639 Copenhagen Drive
Solvang, CA
93463

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