Here are some events coming up in our community that may be of interest to you and your family.
Santa Ynez Valley Food and Drink Events
Holiday Wine and Beer Walk: Saturday and Sunday December 9th and 10th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm is Solvang’s Holiday Wine and Beer Walk. For just $45 per person you will get a 2-day passport that will allow you to stroll the beautiful village of Solvang, sip local wines and sample local beers. There are over 12 different wine and beer tastings rooms and wine bars included in the tour. This event is sure to help you get in the holiday spirit and you will even get a souvenir wine glass with your ticket purchase.
Beauty Behind The (Big) Bottle: Take a walk through the barrel room at Zaca Mesa Winery on Saturday December 9th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and experience an exclusive tasting of large-format Syrahs and find out what makes these amazing wines so unique. The wines will be expertly paired with gourmet cheeses from Cailloux Cheese Shop in Solvang. This event always sells out quickly, so make sure to make your reservations right away. Tickets are $40 for Zaca Mesa club members and $50 for non-members. Call Dianna at (805) 688-9339 ext. 306 for more information.
Solvang Farmer’s Market: The Solvang Farmer’s Market is held on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 6:00 pm on First Street between Mission and Copenhagen Drive, and is a fun, free, family-friendly event. Local farmers gather together in the marketplace to sell their seasonal, colorful agricultural products. There are tons of organic options to choose from, and the event goes on rain or shine! This is a great opportunity to shop and socialize.
Solvang 3rd Wednesday Restaurant Deal: On Wednesday December 20th from 4 to 7 pm select restaurants in Solvang will feature a 3-course “3rd Wednesday” menu for just $25 per person. This event will tie in with the Solvang Farmers Market as well, since the menu will include ingredients straight from the Farmers Market.
Santa Ynez Valley Holiday Events
Olde Fashioned Christmas: Los Olivos is hosting their annual Olde Fashioned Christmas on Saturday December 2nd from 4 to 8 pm. This fun event gives you the chance to experience warm, friendly, small-town fun and start the holiday season off right! There will be an artisan boutique in the Grange from 1 to 8 pm where you can get a start on your Christmas shopping, Santa Claus will be in St. Mark’s parlor, a train ride for kids their parents, live Christmas music, food trucks, live decorated Christmas trees at participating businesses, an Official Lighting of the Christmas Tree and much more!
Julefest Parade: Downtown Solvang is having their annual Julefest Parade on Saturday December 2nd from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. There will be over 400 participants and over 50 entries in the parade. The parade will go down Mission Drive, Copenhagen Drive and adjacent streets. After the parade, there will be free visits with Santa in Solvang Park. For more information call (805) 688-6144.
Gingerbread Wonderland: Gingerbread Wonderland is coming to St. Mark’s in Los Olivos on Saturday December 2nd from 4 to 8 pm. Beautiful gingerbread houses decorated by locals, and you can enter a gingerbread house of your own if you want. There will also be a Christmas cookie sale, live music, holiday crafts for the children, food and drinks and photos with Santa. Proceeds from this event will benefit Arts Outreach and St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Preschool, both of which serve children of our Santa Ynez Valley.
Julefest Tree Lighting: To kick off their annual Julefest, the city of Solvang will be having a tree lighting in Solvang Park (First Street and Mission Drive) on Friday December 1st from 5 to 6:30 pm. Come see Solvang sparkle as the tree is lit, watch dancing ballerinas, bands and caroling and see Santa Claus’ arrival in Solvang. This is a free, family friendly event.
Buellton Winter Fest: Buellton will be having their Annual Winter Fest on Sunday December 3rd. Start the day off right by bringing the whole family for a breakfast with Santa, and then continue the day by enjoying the 20 tons of snow, vendors, light parade, tree lighting, wine, beer and food. This is a fun day for the whole family. Call (805) 688-7829.
Los Alamos Christmas Tree Lighting: On December 8th, starting at 6pm at Ferrini Park (corner of Bell and Centennial Streets) in downtown Los Alamos, all are invited to enjoy a traditional tree lighting, carolers, luminaries and fun for the whole family. Call 805-344-3500 for more details.
Nativity Pageant: The Solvang Festival Theater (420 Second Street, Solvang, CA) is having a free nativity pageant, also known as the “Christmas Story”, on Saturday December 9th. The show is free, and there are two showings: one at 5:00 pm and one at 7:00 pm. There will be a choir, actors wearing traditional nativity costumes and live animals on stage. Although the performances are free, there is limited space so seats will be given on a first come, first entertained basis.
8 Days {an Edible Hanukkah Collaboration}: Tuesday, December 12 through Tuesday, December 19, 2017, Santa Ynez Valley locals and visitors will be treated to an exclusive holiday food happening as Chef Drew Terp, Chef/Co-Owner of PICO at The Los Alamos General Store (www.losalamosgeneralstore.com), and Chef Brooke Stockwell, Executive Chef for K’Syrah Catering & Events (www.kscateringandevents.com), team up for a collaborative eight-day Hanukkah food fest: “8 Days {an Edible Hanukkah Collaboration}”.
Elverhøj Museum’s Christmas Party: On the first Sunday in December (December 3rd), Elverhøj Museum is hosting their annual Christmas Party. There will be a 12-foot tall tree decorated with hand-made Danish ornaments, demonstrations of Danish Christmas crafts, bobbin lace making, live music, dancing around the Christmas tree and more fun activities. There will be traditional Danish open face sandwiches, Danish Christmas cookies and chocolates and all-around Danish Christmas cheer. Santa will also stop by to visit the kids, and he usually brings treats too! For more information call the Museum at (805) 686-1211
Holiday Concert: On Saturday December 16th at 7:30 pm and on Sunday December 17th at 3:00 pm the Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale and Orchestra will perform their holiday concert, entitled “The Festival Of Carols”. The Youth Choir will be joining them in singing and performing holiday-themed music, including traditional caroling songs. The concerts will take place at The Solvang Vets Hall (1745 Mission Drive in Solvang, CA 93463).
Danish Family Christmas Dinner: The Danish Sisterhood is hosting their annual Traditional Family Danish Christmas Dinner on Sunday December 10th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Bethania Lutheran Church (621 Atterdag Rd). There will be a delicious dinner, dancing around the Christmas tree and a special visit from Santa. This event is open to everyone, so bring your friends and family. Call (805) 705-2118 for more information.
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Visit Santa Ynez Valley provides listings of the best Santa Ynez wineries, best places to eat in Solvang, Santa Ynez hotels and inns, and things to do in Santa Ynez Valley. Visit the website at www.VisitSYV.com for complete travel and visitor services. “Like” the Facebook page for ideas on planning Santa Ynez vacations. Email info@VisitSYV.com for help planning your next vacation in the Santa Ynez Valley.
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