The Best Place to Celebrate Christmas in California

A European-style Christmas is the quintessential holiday celebration. Picturesque, Baroque architecture under a dusting of snow, bustling outdoor markets, festive foods and drinks—is there a better way to experience the most wonderful time of the year?

Fortunately, there’s a warm, sunny town in California where you’ll find all of that holiday magic and then some—without the pricey plane ticket. Solvang, located between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Central Coast, is famed for its Danish heritage, artsy atmosphere, and cozy Christmas vibes come the holiday season.

Founded by immigrants from Denmark in the early 20th century, Solvang is in the heart of the Central Coast’s wine country and is home to attractions like the Mission Santa Inés and the kooky Ostrichland USA. And though Solvang’s snowfall may be of the man-made variety, the town still transforms into a true winter wonderland.

“Solvang is that destination for people that really want that European Christmas vibe,” says Anna Ferguson-Sparks, media liaison for Solvang USA and a resident of the town since 2012. “It’s one of the couple of times a year when the village is at its most magical. It’s like this escape to another country, but you’re still in a Southern California climate.”

Though I’ve visited at various times of the year, there’s nothing quite like Solvang during the holidays. Part of it has to do with Solvang’s fairytale-like appearance—after all, the downtown shops and restaurants already look like something straight out of a Christmas story. But that’s just the start of the seasonal spirit here. 

Smells of sweet treats like aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls) and gingerbread waft through the air from bakeries like Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery and Mortensen’s Danish Bakery. Nutcrackers and other traditional toys festoon store windows across town, and Hans Christian Andersen Park serves as the perfect backdrop for family holiday photos. But the real star of the season is arguably Julefest.

Pronounced “Yoola-Fest,” Julefest is a month-plus-long celebration of everything Christmas, packed with different activities sure to suit all ages and interests. To name just a few, there’s a weekly Maker’s Market, performances from carolers, synchronized lights, music, and snow shows, and much more. 

The festivities kick off in early December with a Christmas tree lighting and the Julefest Parade. “Solvang is known year-round for our parades, and the Julefest is a really cute parade,” says Ferguson-Sparks. “It’s themed each year, so each of the entries tries to get into whatever the theme is.”

On top of these events, countless twinkling light displays illuminate the entire town during the holiday season. Though you can enjoy the show by just walking around Solvang, snag a spot on a guided tour for maximum effect. “We have multiple variations of tours that are run by our visitor center,” says Ferguson-Sparks. “During the holidays, they have a nighttime candlelit tour and a daytime one. The family that runs the visitor center is Solvang locals, and they’re this entrenched, in-Danish-costume group that leads these tours. It’s a great way to see the village with that hands-on, guided element.”

The celebrations come to a close with an annual Christmas tree burn in early January. Overseen by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the tree burn functions as both a safety demonstration and a merry way to wrap up Julefest. “It is unofficially saying goodbye to the holiday season for locals and visitors,” says Ferguson-Sparks. “They have people pile all their Christmas trees in this one spot, and then they ignite it. It symbolizes the end of the holiday season and the start of the new year, and it’s a sight to see.”

Exciting as these events may be, one of the best parts of visiting Solvang is simply soaking up the Old World ambiance, no matter when you visit. You can window shop at Solvang’s numerous art galleries, sample local vintages at wineries like Buttonwood Farm, and learn more about the town’s past at the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art. “That’s a really good starting point for someone who is completely unfamiliar with the city, because it tells the history of Solvang and why it’s Danish,” says Ferguson-Sparks. “It’s a really good, brief educational overview of what you’re in for as you explore the rest of the village.”

As for other, non-holiday-related activities, Ferguson-Sparks recommends grabbing a drink at the High Roller Tiki Lounge or sitting down to a meal at one of Solvang’s two Michelin-recognized restaurants, Peasants Feast and Coast Range. And, she says, if you’re seeking a quieter vacation, avoid the weekends when possible. “If you don’t like crowds, visit midweek,” says Ferguson-Sparks. “If that’s doable, it’s always the best bet. The hotel rates are also much more affordable than they would be on peak weekends.”