Solvang’s 2017 Julefest Holiday Celebration, which happens from Dec. 1 through Jan. 5, 2018, this year, will debut some new free activities including The Nisse Adventure, Solvang by Candlelight Walking Tours, plus free Live Music in Solvang Park. There will also be strolling musicians and carolers around the village. This year’s theme is A Danish Tradition.
“Families will be able to explore Solvang while trying to find 12 Danish Christmas Elves known as Jule Nisse, for this festive scavenger hunt,” said Daniel Lahr, special program manager and Julefest coordinator for Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau (SCVB), in a press release.
Visitors and residents of all ages are invited to stop by the Solvang Visitors Center at 1639 Copenhagen Drive between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily to pick up a free Nisse Adventure map that provides clues. There are a dozen Jule Nisse hidden around town, each about 16 inches tall. Participants are asked to take a picture of them and then return to the Visitors Center to receive a prize. There is no set schedule to find all the hidden elves, but all activities must be completed by Jan. 5.
For the first time, free Solvang by Candlelight Walking Tours will be held on Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 starting at 5 p.m., departing from the Solvang Visitors Center. A costumed tour guide will provide guests with a battery-powered LED candle and share history and facts about Solvang while strolling and caroling along village sidewalks for one hour. There is a maximum of 20 guests per tour. Tour reservations will be available starting 24 hours in advance by registering in person at the Visitors Center.
There will also be free live music in Solvang Park as well as musicians and singers strolling up and down Copenhagen Drive and Alisal Road, courtesy of the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 26, 28, 29, and 30.
This article appears in Nov 23-30, 2017.
