Solvang’s 89th Danish Days offered the city’s residents and visitors an iconic parade, traditional food and live entertainment this weekend, all centered around a “Sunny Field of Dreams” theme.
The annual festival kicked off with signature Danish Days events such as Friday night’s Torchlight Parade, the Aebleskiver Breakfast Saturday morning and the Old World Artisans Marketplace and the Danish Days Parade Saturday afternoon.
The festival’s final day Sunday will include another Aebleskiver Breakfast, followed by free admission to the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Classic rock band The Lowdown Dudes Band will also play at Solvang Park from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Locals who helped make Solvang a gateway to Danish culture rode in the parade, including Grand Marshals Roberta and Kevin Skidmore.
The pair were named the 2026 grand marshals by the Danish Days Foundation for their 30-plus years of crafting the traditional dresses worn by the Danish Days Maid.
Ainsley Haws, who was selected as this year’s Danish Days Maid, wore the dress designed by the couple.
“It is especially meaningful to me in accepting this role as Danish Maid,” Haws said. “It has been special to learn about my Danish heritage and how it ties into my family history.”
Other parade participants included John Clark as Hans Christian Andersen in a convertible, the Nordhoff High School Concert Band of Ojai, the Santa Ynez Valley Jazz Band, Solvang Mayor David Brown, mayoral candidate Denise El Amin, and local philanthropic group Vikings of Solvang.
The parade lineup also included the Fossemelle Dance Studio, with young dancers riding on a traditional Danish Maypole and older dancers performing alongside them, and the Ballet Folklorico Corazon de Nino.
The Solvang Labor Union Teamsters Local 986 was also a part of the parade this year.
Roughly 30 Solvang workers are currently on strike, after the City Council unanimously voted to impose its final contract offer of a 4% cost-of-living increase, which the union opposes.
Beyond the parade, attendees basked in Solvang’s Danish heritage with the Santa Ynez Valley Americana band T-Bone Ramblers’ Friday performance in Solvang Park, as well as axe throwing, a Viking beer and wine garden, and a torchlight parade.
This year, Danish Days offered the “Dane for a Day” VIP Package. For $125 per pair, attendees got tickets to the Aebleskiver Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, two Viking helmets and buttons, two 1-ounce pours of the Scandinavian distilled spirit Akvavit and two tickets for a raffle to win a trip to Denmark.
For the full schedule of events, click here.
