Located in Santa Barbara County, Solvang, also known as the “Danish Village,” has recently been awarded the title of the second-best Christmas town in the United States by Newsweek, making it California’s top choice for holiday festivities, as reported by KTLA 5 in Los Angeles.
Nestled in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley, near Highway 246, Solvang offers a unique twist on holiday celebrations. Newsweek describes the town’s approach to Christmas as a “distinctive festive experience.” From late November to early January, Solvang embraces the winter holiday season with a series of joyous celebrations, highlighted by its annual Julefest festival, pronounced “yool-fest.”
During the festival, visitors can indulge in Danish pastries, admire the vibrant holiday decorations, enjoy parades, and attend performances. The month kicks off with the lighting ceremony of the town’s Christmas tree in early December and concludes with a dramatic Christmas tree bonfire as the New Year approaches. Each evening features various events such as treasure hunts, candlelight tours, and a popular light show at the town park. For more information, visitors can check out the details on their official website at https://solvangusa.com/things-to-do/solvang-julefest/.
Solvang, situated about two hours north of Los Angeles, is a favored day-trip destination for many Southern Californians. It provides a charming, European-style escape where guests can leisurely sip wine. The town is also renowned for its traditional Danish products, including wooden shoes and the world-famous aebleskivers, a delightful dessert that resembles a cross between doughnuts and pancake balls. Unlike in Denmark, where aebleskivers are typically available only during the holidays, they can be found year-round in Solvang.
This recognition for its Christmas celebrations is not new for Solvang; in 2022, the town was also named the “Best Small Town in California.” This year’s top Christmas town according to Newsweek is Grapevine, Texas, with Healdsburg, California, following closely in third place. For the complete list, visit https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice/best-christmas-town.
