Solvang will celebrate its 88th annual Danish Days festival Friday through Sunday, bringing the community together with parades, traditional food, live entertainment and hands-on cultural experiences.
The weekend will feature three parades, including the Torchlight Parade on Friday night, the Danish Days Parade on Saturday and the Children’s Parade on Sunday. Other highlights include æbleskiver eating contests, a viking encampment and interactive activities at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art.
“It’s going to sound hokey, but I really love the sense of community,” said Sandie Mullin, executive director of the Elverhøj Museum. “Especially in the world today, it feels like a reminder that there’s still joy to be had with your fellow citizens.”
The museum’s Living History Festival is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with additional hands-on exhibits and free admission continuing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
“We want to make history accessible to kids, too,” Mullin said. “It’s a way to get them engaged in history and art without beating them over the head with it.”
Activities include rune stamping, paper craft demonstrations, a foam axe-throwing game and scavenger hunts inside the museum and backyard. Visitors can also pose for photos at the Viking selfie station.
“We have these larger-than-life wooden Vikings that people can stand behind, and we’ve got all kinds of Danish costumes, helmets and swords,” Mullin said.
The museum is located just a few blocks off Copenhagen Drive and offers a quieter spot for families to explore and take a break.
“People can come and get a breath of fresh air. It’s a nice place to get away from the crowd downtown,” Mullin said. “We have air conditioning, they can play around, and then go back and enjoy the fun in town.”
Friday Festivities
Danish Days begins at 10:30 a.m. Friday with Hans Christian Andersen storytime at the Solvang Library, where visitors “young and old alike” can enjoy tales from the beloved Danish author.
At 11 a.m., a guided food, wine and culture tour will run all three days of the festival, offering ticketed tastings and behind-the-scenes stops at bakeries, wineries and restaurants.
By late afternoon, the festival shifts into full swing. Starting at 4 p.m., visitors can enjoy axe throwing and a beer garden featuring a free live concert by The Rincons.
The evening Torchlight Parade starts at 7:30 p.m. and invites participants to walk along Alisal Road by candlelight to open the weekend.
“You’ll have the people who are celebrating their heritage, but also people who are just interested,” Mullin said. “It’s not even a parade so much as just people walking and celebrating together.”
The parade will be followed by opening ceremonies at 8 p.m. at the Midgaard Pavilion, including an introduction of 2025 Danish Maid Addie Madrid, a welcome from Solvang Mayor David Brown and recognition of 2025 Danish Days Grand Marshals Brenda and Mark Anderson.
The Velkommen Street Dance will close out the night, with Danish folk dancers performing to live music under the lights.
“It’s a nice mix of entertainment and learning a little history along the way,” Mullin said.
Saturday Festivities
Saturday will kick off with the return of the popular Æbleskiver Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Copenhagen Drive. Tickets are available here.
At 9 a.m., the Old World Artisans Marketplace will open with handmade Scandinavian goods and craft demonstrations, including woodworking, fabric art and paper cutting.
Solvang Park will come alive at 10 a.m., where visitors can explore the Viking encampment hosted by Vikings of Bjornstad, a living history group focused on the Viking Age. A special presentation on “The Viking Art of War” is set for 10:30 a.m. at the gazebo.
Nearby, the Kid’s Korner will feature face painting, games and a LEGO tent, while rune reader Tracey Boyer will offer free readings for those curious to “ask the rune stones about your fate.”
At 11:30 a.m., the free æbleskiver eating contest will be held in the Midgaard Pavilion and invites participants of all ages to see how many of the round Danish pancakes they can eat in five minutes.
The Elverhøj Museum of History & Art will host its Living History Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering storytelling and hands-on activities for all ages.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art offers free admission, giving families a chance to explore Danish heritage and the museum’s deep connection to Solvang.
“It’s a house museum, so you learn a lot about the family that built it — they were both artists, and you can see their work on display,” Mullin said. “One of their grandsons still serves on our board of directors, and another board member is the grandson of one of Solvang’s original four founders.”
The Danish Days Parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. The free event will wind through downtown with floats, equestrians, dancers, and the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg beer wagon.
Live music will carry the celebration into the night, with free concerts on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage starting at 3 p.m. Out of the Blue will perform until 6 p.m., followed by The Molly Ringwald Project from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday Festivities
The final day of Danish Days will begin with another Æbleskiver Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Copenhagen Drive.
Attractions will continue across downtown, including the Old World Artisans Marketplace, the Viking encampment and the Kid’s Korner in Solvang Park.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art will offer free admission, giving families a chance to explore Danish heritage at no cost.
The last round of the free æbleskiver eating contest will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the Midgaard Pavilion, followed by a live concert at the gazebo featuring The Lowdown Dudes Band from noon to 2:30 p.m.
The Children’s Parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. from Atterdag Square, at the corner of Atterdag Road and Copenhagen Drive. Children and families are encouraged to join in Danish costumes or festive attire. The parade will move through downtown Solvang and is open to all, with no registration or fee required.
The Danish Days Closing Ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. in Solvang Park, where Addie Madrid will officially close out the weekend. A final concert by Bill Agin and the Territorial Law band will follow from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A complete schedule of events for all three days of Danish Days is available here.