Solvang kicks off month-long Julefest holiday celebration

SOLVANG, Calif. - Solvang is kicking off the Christmas season with its annual Julefest.

A parking space has been hard to find in solvang for most of the day, as locals have been gathering for the first music and light show.

"I think this is a great opportunity for people to come visit and see what a wonderful small town we have," says Susana Voigt, who lives in Santa Ynez.

Known to be one of the coziest and most magical holiday towns, Solvang is at it once again, bringing the public over a month of holiday celebrations for the whole family.

"Before it was Julefest, it was called Winterfest. And about the time of the Olympics. We changed it to Julefest to blend in with the Danish motif," says Dean Klintgaard at Solvang’s Visitor Center.

All month long, there is no shortage of activities for "kids from one to ninety-two."

From the music and light shows, parades, and night markets, there is definitely something for everyone, every day.

"We love hunting for the Nisser," says Voigt.

“A Nisser Man is a Danish Christmas elf. Ten Nisser Men are hidden all around town. All you have to do is take your camera, find ten of them, bring the pictures back. And we give you a nice prize,” says Klintgaard.

Known for their danish-influenced architecture, Solvang makes sure the Julefest holiday celebration is something the whole family can enjoy.

"Everybody is getting together and it's busy because they love this town, because everybody works together to build a wonderful small town," says young Annabelle Voigt.

The festivities continue all month long and they end on January 10th with the traditional Christmas tree burn.