Solvang’s Harvest, Haunts, and Happenings

Danish Days

Solvang Danish Days returns for its 88th celebration honoring the village’s 1911 founding by Danish Americans. The three-day festival fills downtown with Danish flavors, music, and traditions, offering a vibrant blend of heritage and fun.

Highlights include savoring Æbleskiver pastries, enjoying the beer and wine garden, exploring artisanal crafts, a Viking Encampment and experiencing interactive history at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art. Families will love the parades, folk dancing, live music, story time with Hans Christian Andersen, and the ever-popular LEGO tent in Solvang Park.

With food, entertainment, and cultural experiences for all ages, Danish Days brings Solvang’s heritage to life.

Celebrating Solvang’s Recent Award Wins

This summer, Solvang and its local businesses have been recognized with national accolades, thanks to the community of visitors and supporters who continue to share their love for the town.

Newsweek named Solvang, California, the #4 “Best Historical Small Town” in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Several of the local businesses also earned standout recognition:

• Final Girl Wines – Voted #5 Best Wine Tasting Room by USA TODAY 10Best
• Alisal Ranch – Voted #10 Best Destination Resort by USA TODAY 10Best
• Alma Rosa Winery – Voted #10 Best Winery Tour by USA TODAY 10Best
• Peasants Deli & Arcade – Nominated for Best Arcade by Newsweek

Pumpkin Patches & U-Picks

The season kicks off with the reopening of the Solvang Farmer Pumpkin Patch in late September. Spanning acres of farmland, the patch grows 64 pumpkin varieties from tiny “Wee-B-Littles” to giants weighing hundreds of pounds. Guests can also test their skills in a dozen-acre corn maze with scavenger hunts, enjoy a kiddie maze for little ones, and snack on freshly popped kettle corn. On October 24, 25, and 31, the patch stays open late for its popular Night Corn Maze, with last entry at 9:00 PM. Just down the road, The Yard Orchard & Co. offers u-pick apple experiences and a farm stand stocked with seasonal produce and local goods, rounding out a true taste of fall in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Solvang Scarecrow Fest

All through October, the 16th Annual Solvang Scarecrow Fest fills the village with creativity and whimsy. Local businesses and organizations design their own scarecrows, which are displayed in front of shops and tasting rooms. Visitors are invited to stroll through town and vote on their favorites in categories like “Best Photo Opp” and “Most Danish.” Together with the larger Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest, the tradition brings more than 100 festive figures to life across the region.

Spooky at Night

For those who prefer their frights after dark, The Haunt: Solvang Ghost Tours will lead guests through the village’s haunted architecture and eerie past. Storytellers and ghost hunters guide the way, blending local lore with interactive paranormal investigations.

On October 10, The Haunt will take things further with a one-night-only Paranormal Investigation at the Solvang Festival Theater, offering an unforgettable glimpse into the theater’s spectral side.

Movies Outside

October 10 also brings Solvang Spooktacular Cinema in the Park, a family-friendly movie night featuring Halloweentown, the nostalgic Disney Channel classic. Families are encouraged to bring blankets and settle under the stars at Solvang Park for this witchy, al fresco screening.

Food and Wine

The spooky season continues on October 12 with a double feature of festive fun. At 11:11 AM, Secret Solvang’s Spooky Food & Wine Tour takes guests on a tasting adventure through town, highlighting special Halloween-themed bites and sips from local restaurants and wineries. Later that afternoon, the community gathers in Solvang Park for Music in the Park: Haunted Harmonies, featuring live performances and the announcement of the “Best Spooky Food & Drink Competition” winners.

Adding to the after-hours fun, Final Girl Wines, recently named one of the nation’s top tasting rooms, will host a month-long series of Halloween-inspired events. Guests can look forward to Friday and Saturday movie nights and seasonal pours in a setting that perfectly blends wine country elegance with spooky-season thrills.

Kids and Pets Halloween Parade

On October 18, Solvang adds a playful new tradition to its parade roster with the Kids & Pets Halloween Parade, beginning at 11:00 AM in Solvang Park. Following the parade, little ones can enjoy Kids’ Trick-or-Treating downtown at 1:00 PM, while adults are invited to take part in Adults’ Trick-or-Treating at select wine tasting rooms starting at 4:00 PM.

Haunted House at Solvang Festival Theater

Toward the end of the month, the spotlight shifts to Solvang Festival Theater for the 31st Annual Solvang Haunted House, running October 24 and 25. This year’s theme, “Nightmares…They Never End”, promises spine-tingling scares with a maze-like walkthrough and adjoining street fair. A kid-friendlier version is offered during the first half-hour each evening. It runs from 6 pm – 9:30 pm (Kid “Friendlier” 6 – 6:30pm).

Viking Classic Car Show

Rev your engines for the Annual Viking Classic Car Show on Saturday, October 11, where vintage rides and motorcycles (all pre-2000) line the streets of Solvang. This year brings fresh energy with an expanded lineup of classics, including the all-new “Specialty Vehicles” category for unique or unusual entries made after 1999. Proceeds from the show benefit the Vikings of Solvang, a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to supporting medical needs for individuals and health care organizations throughout Santa Barbara County.