tree | Julie Moree's News Watch

Of course no festival is complete with out the one and only Santa Claus

Local Girl Scouts offered hot chocolate and other items to people as they shopped.

Located outside of the Altadena Public library, they had a booth with older books and dvds/cds for purchase on behalf of the library.

One of a kind candy creations enticed crowds.

Stunning glass jewelry and plates captivated crowds.

As always food trucks provide hunger relief as people shopped.

And Yetis could be adopted for a fun christmas option.

The stag was represented in these one of a kind wreath arrangements.

For those so inclined, they could be a part of the celebration by joining the select group of volunteers that decorated every year.

T-shirts could be purchased as a memorable keepsake.

Festive jewelry attracted all for the holidays.

This year’s Julefest on December 2, 2016. It’s theme, “Celebrating Together”, was co-hosted by Tracy Farhang, executive director of the Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau and Alan Satchwell, worship leader at the Santa Inez Valley Presbyterian Church. They welcomed hundreds of visitors and residents to the iconic Hans Christian Anderson Park for a night of hot chocolate, pictures with Santa and performances by local musicians and dancers who entertained as they waited for the tree to be lit in the center of the park.

The Grand marshals for this year’s festivities were the Neilson Family, a familiar whose heritage goes back 105 years as being one of the founding settlers in the Danish Village.

The stage was set as music filled the Hans Christian Anderson Park beginning at 5 p.m on Dec. 3 for a holiday tradition.

The Valley Ensemble directed by Stephanie Douglas played classic holiday tunes for a full 30 minute set.

Christmas lights illuminated the main street through the villiage.

the stage also was decked out with lights for the occasion.

At 6:50 the tree was lit up with ballerinas dancing around it gracefully.

Music Performance included ballet and tap dancing courtesy of the Fossmall dancers, musical performances by the Santa Ines Valley Jazz Band as well as the Valley Wind Ensemble and an extra special performance by World renown Violinist Maurice Skahill and resident pianist, Leta Wright. Watch the video for a sample of the performances below.

And the fun didn’t stop because Santa’s village was open all weekend Dec 2-4 and is open select weekends up to Christmas free of charge, as well as the annual Winterfest Parade which commenced Saturday Dec 3, 2016 around the edge of the Danish Village of Solvang.