2024 Update: Get Ready for Solvang Danish Days!
California’s Premier Danish Heritage Festival
Join the Annual Solvang Danish Days Celebration of all things Danish here in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Danish Days, September 20-22, 2024
California’s favorite Danish heritage festival is back and better than ever! Mark your calendars for a three-day celebration from Friday to Sunday, September 20-22, 2024. This year, we’re embracing the theme “Det Dansk, Det Dejligt” (“It’s Danish, it’s delightful!”) as we honor Solvang’s rich history, founded by Danish-Americans in 1911. Get excited for the 87th edition of this beloved cultural event!
Immerse yourself in all things Danish as Solvang Danish Days offers a full weekend of festivities. Want to “live like a Viking”? Snag a “Dane For A Day” VIP ticket bundle—available exclusively online. And if you’re dreaming of devouring those famous Æbleskiver pancakes, be sure to grab your breakfast tickets in advance to skip the line and get straight to the yumminess!
Curious about what’s in store? Keep an eye out for the 2024 event schedule, which will be available soon. In the meantime, you can dive into the festival’s history, apply for the parade, and get all the details you need on our website. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates!
Planning to stay the weekend? Book your Solvang Danish Days hotel early—rooms fill up fast! Be sure to check each hotel’s cancellation policy to secure a refund just in case plans change. Explore a variety of Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley lodging options here.
Get ready to celebrate all things Danish in the heart of Solvang! See you in September!
Friday, Sept. 20 | Saturday, Sept. 21 | Sunday, Sept. 22
While overall admission is free, some individual events require tickets so be sure to check their official Danish Days website and get in on the best activities now!
What’s an Æbleskive?
These are traditional Danish pancakes in a distinctive shape of a sphere. Somewhat similar in texture to American pancakes crossed with a popover, Æbleskiver are solid like a pancake but light and fluffy like a popover. They are mouth-watering, especially when topped with powdered sugar and raspberry jam.
Solvang Restaurants
If you just can’t get your fill of delicious Danish food, participating restaurants in Solvang will also be “cooking up” something special just for Danish Days weekend, so be sure to come hungry! They might be serving Medisterpølse, a Danish specialty food consisting of a thick, spicy sausage made of minced pork, stuffed into casings. The word “Medisterpølse” was first used in a Swedish housekeeping book from the early 16th century. It is made in one long piece and then cut up into sections before serving. In contrast to many other types of sausage, it is cooked or fried for the first time during the final preparation. The spices generally used are allspice, cloves, salt and pepper.
Tons of Danish Fun in the Santa Ynez Valley 2024
Here are just of the few the usual events of the Danish Days activities you and your family can enjoy during your September visit to Santa Ynez Valley:
Friday, September 20:
- Axe Throwing: 4 – 9pm
- Free Concert in Downtown Solvang: 4 – 7pm
- Viking Beer & Wine Garden: 4 – 9pm
- Torchlight Parade: 7:30pm
- Opening Ceremonies: 8 pm
- Solvang Ghost Tour: 8 – 9:30pm
Saturday, September 21:
- Æbleskiver Breakfast: 8:30am – 12:30pm
- Old World Artisans Marketplace: 9am
- Kid’s Korner: 10am – 4pm
- Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition: 10am – 4pm
- Rune Reader, Tracey Boyer: 10am – 4pm
- Living History Days: 10am – 5pm
- John Clark – Hans Christian Andersen Storytimes: 10:30am & 1pm
- Axe Throwing: 11am – 9pm
- Free Æbleskiver Eating Contest: 11:30am
- Viking Beer & Wine Garden: 12pm – 9pm
- Solvang Food & Photo Tour: 12pm – 4pm
- Danish Days Parade: 2:30pm
- Comedy Industries: 3:30pm
- FREE Concert Line-Up: 3:30pm – 10:30pm
- Solvang Ghost Tour: 8pm – 9:30pm
Sunday, September 22:
- Æbleskiver Breakfast: 8:30am – 12:30pm
- Old World Artisans Marketplace: 9am
- Comedy Industries: 10am
- Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition: 10am – 12:30pm
- Axe Throwing: 10am – 2pm
- Kid’s Korner: 10am – 3pm
- Rune Reader, Tracey Boyer: 10am – 4pm
- Living History Days: 10am – 4pm
- Free Æbleskiver Eating Contest: 11:30am
- Children’s Parade: 2pm
- Danish Days Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park: 3pm
- Solvang Ghost Tour: 8pm – 9:30pm
2024 “Dane For A Day” VIP Package
$108.55, incl. $8.55 Fee
Live like Vikings with this fun-filled package which includes:
- (2) Viking Helmets
- (2) Æbleskiver Breakfast tickets (good for either Saturday or Sunday)
- (2) Beer** or Soda tickets, to be used at the Viking Beer Garden (good for Friday evening and Saturday DAY, only)
- (2) Viking Beer Garden food item tickets, to be used at the Viking Beer Garden (good for Friday evening and Saturday DAY, only; *food items available, TBA*)
- (2) Axe Throwing tickets (must be age 13 or older; Axe Throwing available on Friday and Saturday, only)
- (2) Qty. 2 Tickets total, “Win a Trip to Denmark” opportunity drawing tickets
- (2) Official Solvang Danish Days 2024 buttons
— Each package is meant for two (2) people. —
**Must be 21 years of age or older to use tickets for alcoholic beverages.**
Package purchases are non-refundable. Packages may be picked up at Downtown Solvang Visitor Center on the days of the event, during regular Center operating hours. To redeem, please print purchase confirmation for presentation at Visitor Center, or please show email confirmation to attendant at the Solvang Visitor Center.
Ballard | Buellton | Los Alamos | Los Olivos | Santa Ynez | Solvang
Why not stay a whole week in the Santa Ynez Valley? Looking for local hotels and restaurants in the Santa Ynez Valley? Find complete travel planning information, and get to know our little piece of Danish heaven!
Come Visit Santa Ynez Valley in September – Velkommen!
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