Last updated: November 11, 2024
Find the must-see holiday events in Santa Maria! Explore our guide for all the top festive highlights. For Santa Maria devotees and casual visitors, our guide is your ticket to festive fun.
One of the highlights of the season is the Solvang Julefest, a celebration that immerses attendees in Danish traditions and holiday cheer. Experience the warmth of community as the Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony brightens the night with twinkling lights and joyful gatherings. And the Solvang Julefest Parade is something you definitely don’t want to miss, showcasing festive floats and local talent in a cheerful parade. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Santa Maria Holiday Light Displays
Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony
- What to Expect
- Holiday tree lighting with dancers and ballerinas.
- Description
- The Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony is a special event where the City of Solvang lights its city tree, accompanied by holiday dancers, ballerinas, and music performances. This ceremony marks the beginning of the holiday season and features the illumination of the Solvang Christmas Tree closer to 6:30 PM.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony
Light & Music Show
- What to Expect
- Synchronized light and music show with two variations.
- Description
- Every evening during Solvang Julefest, Solvang Park comes alive with a 10-minute light and music display on the hour, featuring two show variations: traditional holiday music at 5 PM, 7 PM, and 9 PM, and a more modern holiday soundtrack at 6 PM and 8 PM.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Light & Music Show
Solvang Trolley Christmas Light Tour
- What to Expect
- Holiday trolley tour with hot chocolate.
- Description
- Explore the enchanting Christmas lights of the Santa Ynez Valley on a festive trolley tour, featuring fresh hot chocolate and a delightful experience.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Solvang Trolley Christmas Light Tour
Santa Maria Holiday Markets and Shopping
Solvang Julefest
- What to Expect
- Traditional European-style holiday market with local artisans and seasonal treats.
- Description
- Solvang Julefest is a month-long holiday celebration featuring daily light and music shows, a city-wide Nisser Adventure scavenger hunt, and traditional European-style Makers Markets. The event includes the Solvang Tree Lighting Ceremony, a festive parade, and opportunities to meet Santa Claus. It also offers candlelight tours and a family-friendly Copenhagen Countdown to welcome the New Year.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Solvang Julefest
Solvang Maker’s Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional European-style market with local artisans and seasonal treats.
- Description
- The Solvang Julefest Maker’s Market is an open-air Christmas market featuring local artisans offering one-of-a-kind holiday gift ideas and seasonal treats, inspired by traditional European night markets.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Solvang Maker’s Market
Santa Maria Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Solvang Julefest Parade
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly parade with marching bands and horses.
- Description
- The Solvang Julefest Parade features marching bands, horses, classic cars, and more parade floats and entries traveling along Solvang’s main streets, bringing Danish coziness to the holiday season.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Solvang Julefest Parade
Central City Swing Band Performance
- What to Expect
- Free jazz concert by a 17-piece band.
- Description
- The Central City Swing Band will perform a free concert featuring a 17-piece jazz band, bringing lively music to the audience.
- Where
- Santa Maria | More Info : Central City Swing Band Performance
Santa Maria Other Holiday Activities
Solvang Christmas Tree Burn
- What to Expect
- Large-scale fire safety demonstration with community involvement.
- Description
- The Solvang Christmas Tree Burn is a significant fire safety demonstration supervised by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, featuring live entertainment and refreshments, where residents' Christmas trees are safely disposed of.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Solvang Christmas Tree Burn
Nisser Adventure
- What to Expect
- City-wide hunt for hidden Danish gnomes.
- Description
- Join a city-wide hunt for the mischievous Solvang Nisser, who have hidden themselves throughout Downtown Solvang. Participants can find clues at the Solvang Visitor Center to track down these Danish gnomes.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Nisser Adventure
Photos with Santa / Santa’s Village
- What to Expect
- Free photos with Santa.
- Description
- Meet Mr. Claus at Santa's Village in Solvang Park, where you can take free photos with Santa and bring your Christmas lists.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Photos with Santa / Santa’s Village
Candlelight Tours
- What to Expect
- Costumed guides lead participants through Solvang's streets with LED candles.
- Description
- Join a guided candlelight tour through downtown Solvang, led by a costumed guide, and learn about Danish traditions and Solvang history while holding an LED candle.
- Where
- Solvang | More Info : Candlelight Tours