This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. If you drive up the winding Santa Ynez mountain roads long enough, soon you will stumble upon a quaint little town tucked in the valley. That’s right… Solvang, California. Home to just under 6,001 residents and the USA’s very own self-declared Danish capital of America. It’s a fun place to visit any time of year, but Solvang Christmas Events are truly a time when this Danish village shines. No matter who you are, where you’re from, your age, if you’re completely alone, with your entire family, with your special someone, a friend or just you and your dog, I believe anyone can have a great time in Solvang on Christmas Eve. There are two important things to remember when you visit Solvang on Christmas Eve. One – many businesses or attractions will be closed or have very limited hours. Two – you need to start your day as early as you are able to. I have briefly visited Solvang two other times prior to my Christmas Eve adventure. On this visit, I could only accommodate a day trip, but planned to make a full day of it. From dawn until dusk, I would pack in the site seeing. However, I was coming from 408 miles away, so my day started at dawn, literally. Depending on your travel style, you can approach your visit in two different ways. If you just want to take it easy and enjoy the festive vibes, you can just show up, walk around, explore and truly see where the wind takes you. If you have your heart set on doing certain things or are coming from a distance and want to optimize how much you can see and do, you’ll definitely want to be strategic in your planning. It was immensely crowded with long lines, so things might take a bit longer than you’d expect. However, believe it or not, the hoards of travelers kind of add a bustling, jovial energy to the festive atmosphere. Many are wearing festive attire, Santa hats, reindeer ears, I even saw a couple wearing vests with Christmas lights and ornaments on them. Tip: if you need help, have issues, questions or want a map the visitors center is open limited hours on Christmas Eve and is located across from Esko’s Café on Copenhagen drive. This is also really important. I originally planned for my family and I to visit Solvang on Christmas Day. After making several phone calls three days before Christmas, I quickly realized that was not a good idea. In the words of a couple different employees of popular Solvang businesses, “almost the entire town will be shut down.” As mentioned on the trolly tour and by a gentleman on the phone at the visitors center, Solvang very much follows the traditions the founding Danish immigrants observed since the beginning. Christmas eve and Christmas Day are a huge deal in Denmark and so, they place an immense emphasis on everyone being off and home to enjoy the holiday festivities. If you do find yourself in Solvang on Christmas Day, there are usually at least two or three restaurants open and the hourly light show will be going on at Solvang park at night. TLDR: If you’re only doing a day trip, visiting on Christmas Eve versus Christmas Day is definitely the right decision. There are still enough things open to have a really fun day! Do you love Danishes? Is going on a bakery crawl your idea of a good time? If so, you will be in baked good bliss in Solvang. If dietary restrictions don’t prevent you from indulging, get ready for sweet creations galore. These bakeries are certainly a labor of love, as the bakers start their work day at 2:00am to deliver fresh Spandauers, Kringles and Snegls to its visitors. There are seven bakeries in Solvang. I took the liberty of calling all seven to check if a) they were going to be open on Christmas Eve and b) what their hours would be if they were. Two out of the seven bakeries picked up – Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery and Birkholm’s Bakery & Café. My very first stop in Solvang on Christmas Eve was Olsen’s Danish Bakery and Coffee Shoppe. Why? Because it was one of the two bakeries I had definitely confirmed were open. Additionally, they said they were closing at twelve noon. We managed to find street parking just a couple businesses down from Olsen’s Bakery. Yippee! There was a long line down the block. From beginning to end, my stop at Olsen’s took about an hour. That was simply quickly ordering at the counter once it was my turn, adding cream to my coffee and walking out. It’s a small store front, albeit with plenty of tables inside and a few on the sidewalk. Most people, however, were grabbing their goods and going. After all, the day was young, but going to be short! The ambiance was lively and festive. It’s a delightful little space with a nice selection. Tip: if you take the trolley tour, you’ll receive a discount card that is redeemable at Olsen’s bakery. I present to you, Solvang’s oldest bakery. But, considering that Solvang was founded in 1911 it’s not super old, but it’s definitely seasoned. It opened its doors in 1950 and is still here to serve you sandwiches and baked delights today. Unfortunately, Birkholm’s closed earlier than I was told they were going to the day before, so I wasn’t able to try anything there this visit. Just another excuse to return! Tip: if you take the trolley tour, you’ll receive a discount card that is redeemable at Birkholm bakery. So, is it late afternoon or early evening and you’re having a hankering for a stroopwafel? In dire need of a coffee, because you want to maximize and savor every nanosecond of Solvang Christmas Events? Well, you can thank Esko’s Café for being there to save the day. After 3pm or so, they were the only bakery or place open to fetch a coffee. Understandably, Esko garnered a long line. However, for much of the day we were parked right in front of Esko’s and there was a long line all day long. From beginning to end, it took about an hour and fifteen minutes or a bit more. At one point, an olive complected, dark haired gentleman came out and jovially reassured everyone, “don’t worry, we are going to serve everyone” motioning to the crowd that had gathered outside the storefront. They also had a water bowl outside for my thirsty Bich-poo, while we all waited in line. The inside of the storefront is tiny, but there is a little courtyard of tables directly adjacent to it. There is a broad selection of candy, baked goods, ice cream, coffee and beverages. The prices for everything, especially the beverages are considerable high. But, to be expected as this business seems to cater specifically to tourists. The staff is very friendly and caring. I’d return to try some of their savory treats. A place filled with Solvang Christmas events year round. Well… so to speak. I have a tradition where every year I buy or have a Christmas tree ornament made that signifies something special that happened that year or holiday season. In this instance – spending Christmas Eve in Solvang – getting an ornament at Jule Hus was perfect. The Christmas Eve mission was to see and do as many things we could in the limited hours most businesses were operating on Christmas Day. Consequently, I swung by the visitors center and they phoned Jul Hus to inquire what time they close. On this particular Christmas Eve, they closed at 4:00pm. The boutique was packed and despite many of the shelves and baskets being bare, there were still loads of beautiful ornaments and Christmas decor to choose from. From round, glass blown embellishments to miniature Danish, wooden clogs ornaments that say “Solvang” – you’ll certainly find a nice gift or keepsake here. Tip: Before heading over, definitely call Jule Has or have the visitor center call to confirm their hours Christmas Eve. Expect them to be closed on Christmas. Swooping up a last minute gift? No worries – they gift wrap! Jule Hus means Christmas house Since all the museums were closed on Christmas Eve, I knew I wanted to dedicate time to going on a trolley tour. Solvang Trolley and Carriage company is owned and operated by a local family. You can buy tickets and have any questions you may have about the tour answered in the blue windmill that says Hamlet Square on it. The trolley tour is dog friendly! So if you are traveling with your furry loved one, they are welcome. The trolley tour would be a great activity to do upon arrival or soon after arriving. It’s less than 30 minutes, but it gives you a great general overview of the town. That way you can use the information to decide what you want to do. Tip: Tickets are $18 per person. Your trolly pass also provides you a discount to the Spice Merchant, Red Viking Restaurant, Chomp, Solvang Knives, Birkholm Bakery, Olsen’s Bakery and Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor. Pressed for time? Are these businesses closed the day of your Trolley tour? Not to worry. The discount card never expires. Another option is to explore and enjoy Solvang on a Surrey adventure! A Surrey is basically like a carriage and you peddle to get around. They are available in single or double occupancy. You can also rent bicycles, strollers and wheelchairs at the same place you can rent the Surreys. As we were meandering town, we saw merry Solvang goers peddling all about town, enjoying the festive scenery. Tip: this rental shop is located very close to Solvang park, just a brief walk across the road. What better way to end a fun filled day of pounding the cobblestone streets, trying on clogs and scarfing cream cheese danishes and aebleskivers, than a light show? Yes, starting at 5pm there are hourly Christmas light shows in Solvang Park. We attended the 7pm show, before our road trip home. There was a huge convivial crowd dressed festively, jubilant energy, several backdrops for photo ops and adorable dogs in their Christmas garb… everywhere. Solvang was good to us for Christmas Eve. I would definitely recommend it. Despite there being a lot of things I still want to do and see in town, as the Danes say, “No cow on the ice.” or in other words, “no problem at all.” Just another reason to come back, real soon! Solvang is a destination you should definitely plan to start your day early. The town shuts down early most of the time, but particularly on Christmas Eve, the majority of the town will be closed by 5:30pm. The Solvang visitor center was hosting a town scavenger hunt. If you find all the Nisse (basically Danish gnomes – a small mythical creature from Scandinavian folklore), positioned around town you can present your findings to the visitor center to choose from a selection of prizes! Credit card is widely accepted everywhere. Check these out! Want to know how I travel so frequently? By booking jaw-dropping flight deals that are often so low you’d have to see ’em to believe it. The best part? They’re sent right to my inbox. You can try it out for free: here. I exclusively use this site to book all my stays. I get 20% off on all my stays plus additional perks from their loyalty program. Check it out! Get reliable travel medical insurance for your trip, for just $2 a day – here Looking for a flight on a specific date? Use this search engine and start earning rewards! Need to book your excursions and tours? This company is my favorite. This is another marketplace for tours, that is especially great for Europe. Renting a car for your adventure? Discover the right car for your journey: here. Do you love train travel as much as I do? Get your train tickets here! Want to travel in comfort and have lounge access around the world? Get that right here. You know what I love to do when I visit a new city? This!Solvang Christmas Events – Christmas Eve in the USA’s little Denmark
Solvang Christmas Events – What to Expect on Christmas Eve
Should you visit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Danish Bakery Bliss
Bakeries in Solvang on Christmas Eve – What to Expect
Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery and Coffee Shoppe
Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery and Coffee Shoppe
1529 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-6314
Birkholm’s Bakery & Café
Birkholm’s Bakery & Café
460 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-8188
Esko’s Café
Cafe Esko
1642 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Jule Hus – Solvang’s Christmas Store
Jule Has – Solvang’s Christmas Store
1580 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-6601
Solvang Siteseeing by Trolley
Solvang Siteseeing by Surrey or Bicycle
Wheel Fun Rentals
475 First Street Solvang, California 93463
Danish Julefest – Light Show at Solvang Park
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Solvang is the CUTEST town – it looks so magical around Christmas!!
It is so cute and so magical around Christmas!
Definitely a Danish lover here so visiting bakeries for a Danish is right up my alley.
Never been to the USA’s little Denmark! Look like a fun Christmas destination.
It’s a great option for a Christmas destination!
Oh, I’m so happy Christmas is coming soon. I really like reading about traditions of celebrating in different places. It creates a great mood!
Me too! It really does.
Beautiful pictures, and those pastries look yum
Thank you so much. The bakeries and pastries in this town are SO YUM!
What fun this town sounds. I can easily see myself in a bakery enjoying a Danish and coffee.
How incredible is this?! I love Solvang!
Hello! What a nice tradition! I would love to participate in it once upon a time 🙂
I’ve seen Solvang a few times on social media, and it’s always caught my attention. However, visiting it on Christmas Eve sounds even more magical. It looks beautiful, and the pastries look delicious too!