California’s premier Danish heritage festival, “Solvang Danish Days”, holds its 83rd run this year with a three-day event weekend line-up, Friday through Sunday, September 20 through 22, 2019.
The 2019 Solvang Danish Days theme – “A Salute to Denmark’s Flag: Celebrating 800 Years of Dannebrog” (the Danish flag, “Dannebrog”, turned ‘800’ this year) – will be exalted during this year’s event, which honors the 1911 establishment of Solvang by Danish-Americans. The 2019 edition of Solvang Danish Days will continue to offer attendees a total Danish immersion experience while helping to preserve Solvang’s authentic Danish heritage.
Since Solvang Danish Days’ modest beginnings in 1936, when the festival debuted to commemorate the village’s 25th anniversary, the event has set out to celebrate Solvang’s Danish heritage with authentic food, music, dancing, parades, live entertainment and family activities.
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As Danish Days nears its 83rd turn, the festival continues to mesh “old country charm and customs” with a more modern “way of life”, through its varied activities which blend present-day Danish practices with traditional notions, while still exemplifying everything Danish.
The weekend’s numerous offerings, features activities for all ages, and highlight:
- Aebleskivers, the iconic Danish pastry rounds
- Historical reenactment in the form of a Viking Encampment in Solvang Park
- Interactive history lessons at the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art
- NEW!! Axe throwing arena
- NEW!! Guided Solvang Food & Photo Tour
- Old World artisanal crafts marketplace
Solvang Danish Days boasts plentiful free entertainment during the weekend with three parades, Danishfolk dancers and musicians performing in spots all over town, plus an afternoon and evening of free, live concerts on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in the middle of downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. Solvang Danish Days also includes a family-friendly “Kid’s Korner” in Solvang Park featuring LEGO®.
Since the 1960s, Solvang Danish Days has been presided over by each year’s Danish Maid – a tradition that remains an honorable accomplishment for each of the young, local women appointed by the Danish Days Foundation Board members, to become a specific year’s Danish Maid. The 2019 Danish Maid is 17-year-old Gillian Nielsen, a fourth-generation Santa Ynez Valley resident whose Solvang roots stretch back to the town’s founding years. Solvang’s Danish Maids serve as goodwill ambassadors during their year of service, making public appearances to promote Solvang and the City’s spirit of Nordic hospitality.
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Aebleskiver Breakfast
Foodies headed to Solvang Danish Days will, once again, have their pick of two Aebleskiver Breakfasts, offered on both Saturday and Sunday mornings (8:30 AM-12:30 PM) on Copenhagen Drive and First Street, just $8.00 per person (with Danish sausage, $9.00). Tickets available on-line in advance, or at the event entrance. Aebleskiver Breakfast also featured on Sunday, same times. BUY TICKETS HERE
Free Aebleskiver Eating Contests
- Scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday (11:30 AM).
- Who can eat the most aebleskiver in 5 minutes?! Joining this year’s Contest is competitive eater and eating challenge queen, Raina Huang. The 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
- All ages are welcome at the free eating contests
- Held in the Aebleskiver Breakfast area, near the intersection of Solvang’s Copenhagen Drive and First Street.
Danish Days Parade
- The theme for our 83rd year is “A Salute to Denmark’s Flag: Celebrating 800 Years of Dannebrog” (the Danish flag, “Dannebrog”, turns ‘800’ this year).
- 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 1:30 PM 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. - NO CHARGE to participate in the parade; click here to apply!
SCHEDULE BY DAY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
- 4:00 PM: Free Concert featuring the “T-Bone Ramblers”, in the Solvang Park Gazebo (Mission Drive and First Street).
- 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM: NEW! Axe Throwing – You read that, right: this year’s Solvang Danish Days will feature an axe throwing arena hosted by the pros at Axehole Vegas. Public invited to give axe throwing a whirl! $5 for 7 throws. Tickets will be sold at the entrance to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. (Guests must be 7 years of age or older to enjoy.) #throwlikeaViking
- 7:30 PM: Torchlight Parade – Free for participants, all ages welcome, candles will be provided. Route begins at Alisal Road and Laurel Avenue, strolling south down Alisal and ending at the Midgaard Pavilion Stage (in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden).
- 8:00 PM: Opening Ceremonies in Solvang Park introducing 2019 Danish Maid, Gillian Nielsen. Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
- 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street, just $8.00 per person (with Danish sausage, $9.00). Tickets available on-line in advance, or at the event entrance. Aebleskiver Breakfast also featured on Sunday, same times. BUY TICKETS HERE
- 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Kid’s Korner featuring LEGO® and a supervised Play & Rest Area, in Solvang Park. Kid’s Korner also featured on Sunday, same times.
- 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Viking Encampment – Visit the Ravens of Odin, Norse Educational Group, as they bring Viking times to life through historical reenactments. Features a Viking Age Weaponry demo on Saturday. Viking Encampment also featured on Sunday, same times.
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.elverhoj.org). Free, interactive activities for all ages, plus artisans, craftspeople and storytellers. Living History Festival also featured on Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM: NEW! Solvang Food & Photo Tour – Led by Santa Barbara’s ‘Eat This, Shoot That!‘, discover Solvang comfort food eateries and hidden watering holes while learning about the Danish lifestyle and history from a local. Tour includes eight (8) tasting locations, bites and sips – with a professional tour guide – while learning foodie photo tips and tricks using a smartphone camera. Tour guests also receive a Solvang Tour Guide Sheet with map and exclusive tour guest discounts. Learn more at https://eatthisshootthat.com/tour/solvang-food-photo-tour/
- 11:30 AM: Free Aebleskiver Eating Contest – Returning to this year’s Saturday Contest, competitive eater and eating challenge queen, Raina Huang. 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 this five-minute competition. Contest also featured on Sunday, same time.
- 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM: NEW! Axe Throwing – You read that, right: this year’s Solvang Danish Days will feature an axe throwing arena hosted by the pros at Axehole Vegas. Public invited to give axe throwing a whirl! $5 for 7 throws. Tickets will be sold at the entrance to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. (Guests must be 7 years of age or older to enjoy.) #throwlikeaViking
- 2:30 PM: Danish Days Parade – Includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, floats, equestrians, Village Dancers and more. Line-up starts at 1:30 PM 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. NO CHARGE to participate in the parade; click here to apply!
- 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Free Concerts featuring live performances by the “Low Down Dudes” and “Danish Playboys Revisited” on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2, in downtown Solvang, adjacent to the 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.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2019
- 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street, just $8.00 per person (with Danish sausage, $9.00). Tickets available on-line in advance, or at the event entrance. Aebleskiver Breakfast also featured on Sunday, same times. BUY TICKETS HERE
- 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Kid’s Korner featuring LEGO® and a supervised Play & Rest Area, in Solvang Park
- 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Viking Encampment – Visit the Ravens of Odin, Norse Educational Group, as they bring Viking times to life through historical reenactments.
- 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.elverhoj.org). Free, interactive activities for all ages, plus artisans, craftspeople and storytellers.
- 11:30 AM: Free Aebleskiver Eating Contest – Joining this year’s Sunday Contest, competitive eater and eating challenge queen, Raina Huang. Sunday 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 this five-minute competition.
- 2:00 PM: Children’s Parade – Begins at Atterdag Square (corner of Atterdag Road and Copenhagen Drive) and meanders down Copenhagen to Solvang Park. All children and families are welcome to join this event; no charge to participate, and costumes are encouraged.
- 2:30 PM: Danish Days Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park. 2019 Danish Days Maid Gillian Nielsen closes the festive weekend.
* All events listed here, are subject to change or cancellation.
Learn more at https://www.solvangdanishdays.org/event-schedule
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