Free ballet performance during the annual tree-lighting ceremony in Solvang Park (Mission Drive & First Street). Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony is usually held in late November or early December on a Friday night.

2008 Solvang Christmas Winterfest Events

Solvang transforms annually into a European-style Christmas setting, just in time for its annual Winterfest Celebration. The village streets and shops are aglow with illuminated twinkling lights that lend to holiday celebrating in the old-fashioned Christmas village that remains decorated from Thanksgiving through New Years Day.

Solvang, known as the Danish Capital of America, celebrates Christmas by offering annual traditions local families and vacationers seek. Carolers emerge around corners and street musicians enhance the authentic scene of this free event that's open to the public (except where admission fee is specifically noted).

ONGOING: November -December

Holiday musicals, open houses and special events will take place throughout the season. For more information and a printed 2007 Winterfest Program, call Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-468-6765 or 805-688-6144 or visit www.SolvangUSA.com

HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD HOUSE - Lobby, Royal Scandinavian Inn, 400 Alisal Road. Fourth generation-Danish baker Bent Olsen of Olsen's Danish Village Bakery created this impressive 8-foot by 11-foot gingerbread house using an estimated 250 lbs. of gingerbread dough, 150 lbs. of powdered sugar and 3 gallons of egg whites.

Date TBD
HOLIDAY MIXER & SILENT AUCTION - Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association event at Hadsten House Inn. Free refreshments & wine tasting at luxury boutique hotel. 5-7 PM, 1450 Mission Dr.

Date December 5, 2008

SOLVANG TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY- Enjoy music by the Valley Wind Ensemble, dance performances by Fossemalle Dance Studio, Solvang Village Dancers, Christmas carols by SYV Presbyterian Church Choir, refreshments, Santa and special guest! 5-7 PM; Solvang Park, Mission Drive & First Street.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE -Ingeborg's Danish Chocolates, 4-8 PM; 1679 Copenhagen Drive
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE -Lucas & Lewellen Wine Tasting Room, Wine and Christmas treats. Tasting fee: $20.00; 5- 8:30 PM; 1645 Copenhagen Dr.
WARM UP -Wandering Dog Wine Bar, mulled wine & goodies. 6-8 PM; 1539 Mission Drive
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE - Mole Hole, refreshments & cheer, 6:30-8:30 PM, 1656 Mission Drive

Date December 6, 2008

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE - 2008 11 AM-Noon. Begins at Mission Santa Ines, travels down Mission Drive, turns left on Fourth Place, left on Copenhagen Drive all the way east, and ends at the Post Office on Alisal Road.

OPEN HOUSE - Solvang Toyland, 10 AM-5 PM, 1664 Copenhagen Drive
MEET & GREET SANTA CLAUS in Solvang Park following the parade. Caricatures by Aidan Terry. Noon-1 PM.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOP & COOKIE DECORATING. Solvang Bakery. Make your own or purchase already decorated treats. Noon-8 PM, 460 Alisal Road
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE -Laura's Trading Co. & Zarabella, 4-6 PM, 444 Atterdag Square
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE -Home Connection featuring door prizes, refreshments, and entertainment. 5-8 PM, 425-D Alisal Road

TBD

HOLIDAY HOME TOUR & TEA -Old Mission Santa Ines Benefit, Reservations only, call: 805-688-4815 x20. 1-4 PM, 1760 Mission Drive

Saturday, December ?, 2008

ANNUAL NATIVITY PAGEANT - The "Christmas Story" comes to life at the outdoor Solvang Festival Theater, 420 Second Street. Narrated by renowned actor Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., and accompanied by a choir, actors in traditional costumes, and live animals on stage. There will be two FREE performances offered at 5 PM and 7 PM, with seating on a first come, first entertained basis. Prelude performances at 4:15 PM by Fossemalle Studio Dancers and 6:15 PM by Valley Wind Ensemble. (will cancel if raining.)
WARM UP with mulled wine & goodies. 4-8 PM; 1539 Mission Drive

BRIGHTON YOUR HOLIDAY - First Street Leather and Brighton factory representatives will donate 20% of all sales to Direct Relief International (with customer able to take the full tax deduction for the charity contribution.) 6-8 PM, 1634 Copenhagen Drive
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE -Pamela's Country Cupboard, featuring Lamplighter Carolers on the west end of Mission
Drive. 6-9 PM 1525 Mission Drive

The Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau promotes the culture, cuisine, shopping, arts and attractions of the village known as the "Danish Capital of America," centrally located in Santa Barbara County, California.