When Time magazine declares your little plot of earth one of “The Nine Most Christmassy Towns in America,” you needn’t worry about using too much tinsel or too many twinkle lights. You’ve got full license to go buck wild, like Santa after one too many rum and eggnogs. It’s “go big or go home,” and in accordance with this motto, the people of Solvang are not going easy on the glitter.
The quaint Danish village will soon deploy a red-and-green avalanche of Julefest decorations—many of which will adorn the community’s towering evergreen Christmas tree. The living greenery lights up on Dec. 4 in Solvang Park (get there by 5 p.m. for caroling, ballet dancing, and good cheer). Oh, and want to sound like a local? Be sure to call it “Yule fest.” The “J” is homage to the area’s Danish roots.
While waiting for “the big switch-on,” be sure to say hello to Laura Kath, media relations director for the Solvang Visitors Bureau. She’s probably the event’s biggest cheerleader, and she’s not afraid to shout it from the fake-snow covered rooftops.
“Julefest continues for the whole month of December and concludes with the tree burn,” Kath explained during a phone interview. Full disclosure: I am a Julefest virgin. Good thing for me, Kath is the kind of person who lives, breathes, and eats Julefest.
“This is my ninth Yulefest that I’ve been involved with, and it’s my job to enhance coverage, but I also do the Julefest parade announcing as a volunteer,” Kath said. “I feel so strongly about giving back to this wonderful, unique community.”
So yes—back to the tree burn. On Jan. 8, the community is invited to attend a free Christmas tree blaze, sure to brighten the Old Mission Santa Ines fields with a fireball of flickering flame. The event serves as one of the largest fire safety demonstrations and community gatherings on the Central Coast, complete with live entertainment and refreshments. Not to be a Scrooge, but I might be more excited about the tree burn than the lighting. If we’re going for what shines brighter, fire will win every time.
A whole lot of holiday festivities will take place between Dec. 4 and that inevitably fiery inferno, of course. First on that list of festivities: You can chill with Santa in Solvang Park, and we all know he’s got some wild stories to tell about his globe-trotting, gift-giving adventures (free visits are held Dec. 4 through 6 and Dec. 12 and 13). You’ll also want to catch Solvang’s famous Julefest parade, kicking off Dec. 5 at 11 a.m., chock full of warm community spirit that you just can’t replicate or buy at a big-box store. Folks of all ages and walks of life will be marching, rolling, trotting, and dancing through Mission Drive for the occasion, and—of course—the streets will be elaborately decorated in the season’s finest winter baubles.
Just who will serve as Grand Marshall of the event? Kaths’ lips are sealed, but that information will be divulged shortly.
Then there’s the wine. What could be more festive than a two-day wine and beer tasting good for more than 13 Solvang tasting rooms? I don’t know about you, but I like to drink during the holidays. Get in on artisanal offerings from Casa Cassara, Dascomb Cellars, Royal Oaks, and Lucky Dogg Winery, to name a few.
“This year, once again, we decided to bring back the Julefest Wine and Beer Walk, and we’ve increased the number of stops. We’re really growing in so many ways,” Kath said.
The holiday booziness uncorks Dec. 12 and 13, and while you taste, be sure to check out what the local storefronts and boutiques have to offer. In partnership with the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, Shop, Mingle, and Jingle will be in full effect, preparing one and all for the gift-giving extravaganza that is Christmas Day.
“Stores stay open later, there’s lots of specials, and you can get in on great community drawings,” Kath said. “We’re proud to offer just a little more jingle to the shopping experience.”
Also newly refreshed is the Trolley Light Tour—perfect for showcasing Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley’s incredible light spectacles. Kath is ready for her trolley ride.
“How cool is that to take the trolley and sip hot chocolate and sing carols while taking in the lights?” she asked me. Honestly, I don’t know. But, when I think “winter wonderland,” that’s exactly what comes to mind.
“We’re doing two trolleys this year, instead of just one,” Kath added. “It’s just another example of how we’ve enhanced the events, adding even more sparkle to the community tradition that is Julefest.”
Hayley Thomas never goes easy on the glitter. Contact her at hthomas@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Dec 3-10, 2015.