Solvang Danish Days – Saturday

Solvang Danish Days

Downtown Solvang

September 21 – 22, 2024

PLEASE NOTE THIS IN THE INFORMATION FROM 2023
~~~ check back for updated information ~~~

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Old World Artisans Marketplace – Solvang Danish Days

9 AM – 5PM Saturday
9 AM – 4PM Sunday
Located between Mission Drive (HWY 246) and Copenhagen Drive on First Street

Demonstrations and artisanal hand-crafted items including Scandinavian arts & crafts, woodworking, papercutting, rosemaling, fabric art, jewelry, pottery, and the ever-popular Danish Sisterhood Booth.

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Kid’s Korner
10:00am – 4:00pm

Activities, games and fun in Solvang Park! Featuring the popular LEGO® Tent, plus more experiences TBA!

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Viking Encampment
10:00am – 4:00pm

The Ravens of Odin (Norse Educational Group) host a Viking Encampment in Solvang Park. Historical reenactments bring Viking times to life!

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Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition
10:00am – 4:00pm

Watch the building process as three of California’s top LEGO builders compete against each other with their own takes on various Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales. Builders will be located throughout the village of Solvang. (Building continues on Sunday.)

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Rune Reader, Tracey Boyer
10:00am – 4:00pm

What do the Runes see in your future?Find out, during this year’s Danish Days! Genuine rune reader, right in Solvang Park. FREE for your entertainment, so step up and ask the rune stones about your fate.

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Living History Festival
10:00am – 5:00pm

Elverhoj Museum of History & Art. Artisans, craftspeople, storytellers and interactive activities for all ages, plus a Viking Selfie Station! Free. 1624 Elverhoy Way, 805-686-1211 or www.elverhoj.org

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Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen
10:30am & 1:00pm

Young and old alike will enjoy listening to hours of tales from Denmark’s favorite author. Saturday readings: 10:30am at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (at The Book Loft), 1:00pm at the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art.

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Comedy Industries
10:30am

Relax under the trees in Solvang Park, and laugh with Comedy Industries; Scott Meltzer and Katrine Spang-Hanssen feature amazing tricks, jokes and lively audience participation.

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Axe Throwing
11:00am – 9:00pm

Public invited to give axe throwing a whirl! $10 for 10 throws. Tickets will be sold at the entrance to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. (Guests must be 13 years of age or older to enjoy. Ages 13-17 need to have a parent or guardian present. Closed-toe shoes required.)

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Free Æbleskiver Eating Contest
11:30am

Who can eat the most aebleskiver in 5 minutes?! Saturday Contest will be held in the Midgaard Pavilion in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome for the Eating Contest.

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Solvang Food & Photo Tour
12:00pm – 4:00pm

Led by Santa Barbara’s ‘Eat This, Shoot That!‘, discover the best comfort food, hidden watering holes, and artisan shops in downtown Solvang while learning about the local history. Tour includes 9-10 tastings and foodie locations, bites, and sips – with a professional tour guide – while learning foodie photo tips and tricks using your smartphone’s camera. Details will be available soon, at eatthisshootthat.com/tours/solvang(Advance ticket purchase is required.)

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Viking Beer & Wine Garden
12:00pm – 9:00pm

Enjoy an outdoor beer & wine garden; supports the Solvang Danish Days Foundation. (You must be 21 years of age or older to enter the Viking Beer & Wine Garden and to purchase alcoholic beverages.)

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Danish Days Organ Concert | Bach’s Lunch: An Organic Smorgasbord!
1:00pm

Favorite festival organist James Welch is “Bach” by popular demand for this year’s Danish Days celebration, playing on the authentic pipe organ at Bethania Lutheran Church, 603 Atterdag Road. A world-renowned concert organist, Welch’s concerts are always full of fun, with something for everyone — from the baroque to the contemporary, from the Old World to California. A direct descendant of Danes from Fjenneslev, Denmark (his grandmother was a Sorensen), he credits his Danish ancestors with his love for music. The Danish Days concert will demonstrate the lighter side of the organ, with folk tunes and some hits from opera and Broadway. And yes, there will be some Bach, too! Get there early, because this event is often a standing-room-only affair. (suggested $5.00 donation for concert)

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Danish Days Parade
2:30pm

Catch all of the action including the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, floats, equestrians, Village Dancers and more. (Line-up starts at 1:30pm on First Street, between Molle Way and Oak Street; parade begins by turning east on Copenhagen Drive, then north on Alisal Road, west on Mission Drive, south on Fourth Place, east on Copenhagen, south on Second Street, finishes at corner of Oak Street near Solvang City Hall.) As always, everyone is invited to join the fun: There is NO CHARGE to participate in the parade; click here to apply!

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Comedy Industries
3:30pm

Relax under the trees in Solvang Park, and laugh with Comedy Industries; Scott Meltzer and Katrine Spang-Hanssen feature amazing tricks, jokes and lively audience participation.

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FREE Concert Line-Up
3:00pm – 9:00pm

Featuring a line-up of live bands performing on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2, in downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome; must be 21 years or older to enter Viking Beer & Wine Garden. Concerts are free and open to the public!

3:00pm – 6:00pm: The Lowdown Dudes
6:00pm – 9:00pm: T-Bone Ramblers