Winter Solstice Celebration
Guests celebrate the longest night of the year outdoors around bonfires and pose for photos with live reindeer. Indoors, visitors can enjoy Swedish carols, dance and musical performances, try shadow puppets, and make holiday crafts. The historic Turnblad Mansion showcases its holiday exhibit, while FIKA Café serves warm glögg and Swedish treats.
What to Expect
Celebrate the shortest day with bonfires, live reindeer, and Swedish traditions.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
Johnson County Park & Recreation District
Food & Drink
FIKA Café serves Swedish concession-style foods such as hot dogs, charcuterie boxes, soups, breads, cookies and pastries, along with coffee, cocoa, and glögg.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and visitors interested in swedish holiday traditions
Vibe
Festive and cultural
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Know Before You Go
- Parking: Free surface lot at 27th Street and Park Avenue, with unmetered street parking on most surrounding blocks when it's full. No buses or large trailers.
- Accessibility: Elevators connect campus levels, and complimentary transport wheelchairs are available to borrow at the front desk.
Tips & Advice
- Register ahead for one of the half-hour entry windows, because entry to the celebration is arranged in timed slots early in the evening.
- Dress warmly, because the bonfires and reindeer photos are outdoors, while the performances, crafts and shadow puppets are inside.
- Grab a glögg, coffee or cocoa from FIKA Café and take it out to the bonfires before your photo with the reindeer.
- Save time to walk through the historic Turnblad Mansion, where the holiday exhibit is on display during the celebration.
- Park free in ASI's lot at 27th Street and Park Avenue, or use the unmetered street parking around ASI if the lot is full.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Winter Solstice Celebration good for kids?
Yes, it's for all ages. Family crafts, a shadow play station, live reindeer and kid-friendly food options are all part of the night.
What is there to do?
Outside, you can warm up by the bonfires and pose for a photo with the reindeer. Inside, there are music and dance performances all night, Swedish carols, a solstice craft and shadow puppets. The holiday exhibit is also on display in the Turnblad Mansion.
What food and drink is available?
FIKA Café serves a concession menu of Swedish specialties: hot dogs, charcuterie boxes, soups, breads and kid-friendly options. There's also coffee, cocoa, glögg (Swedish mulled wine), and homemade cookies and pastries.
Do I need to register ahead of time?
Yes. Entry is by registration for half-hour entry windows early in the evening, so choose your slot when you book.
Where do I park?
ASI's surface lot at 27th Street and Park Avenue is free. When it fills up, there's unmetered street parking on most of the surrounding blocks. Buses and large trailers aren't allowed in the lot.
More Christmas Events Near Olathe
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.