TueSep 1
Two-Step Lesson with Vannessa in Santa Ynez
6 PM – 7:30 PM·Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez
Two-step dancing.
Monthly Guide
Santa Ynez Valley in September 2026
September is arguably the best month to visit the Santa Ynez Valley. Harvest season starts, Danish Days runs September 18–20, the Solvang Festival Theater is still going, and the summer crowds begin to thin. Here's everything happening.
Headline Event
Danish Days — September 18–20, 2026
Solvang's biggest annual festival since 1936. Free outdoor event with æbleskiver breakfasts Saturday and Sunday morning, a Viking Beer & Wine Garden, parade down Mission Drive, Danish folk dancers in traditional costume, live music, axe throwing, and an artisans marketplace. Draws tens of thousands of visitors over three days.
Free admission·Downtown Solvang·Friday–Sunday
Why September is the Best Month
Wine Harvest Season
September and October are when grapes are harvested across the Santa Ynez Valley AVA. Wineries are active, crush pads are running, and the vineyard scenery is at its most dramatic. Some estate wineries offer harvest events.
Solvang Festival Theater
The outdoor theater at 420 Second Street runs through October. September performances are some of the most comfortable — warm evenings, no summer fog, no flies. Check pcpa.org for current productions.
Temperatures Drop
September breaks from summer heat. Daytime highs settle into the 75–85°F range, evenings cool to 55–60°F. The valley is comfortable for walking wine rows and wandering downtown.
Less Crowded (except Danish Days weekend)
After Labor Day, summer crowds thin significantly. Weekdays in September are uncrowded, easy to park, bakery lines are short. Tasting rooms have time to talk.
September 2026 Events Calendar
Week 1 — Sept 1–7
TueSep 1
Karaoke in Santa Ynez with DJ Sam
8 PM·Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez
Sing your song.
TueSep 1
Elverhøj Museum's Through the Eyes of Bjørn Wiinblad Exhibit
All day·Elverhoj Museum of History & Art 1624 Elverhoy Way Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
Through the Eyes of Bjørn Wiinblad Step into the colorful, imaginative world of Danish artist Bjørn Wiinblad at Elverhøj Museum of…
WedSep 2
Solvang Farmers Market - Every Wednesday
2:30 PM – 6 PM·Farmers Market -First Street, Downtown Solvang, Solvang
The Farmers Market works diligently to bring the freshest and most nutritious produce our rich, local agricultural land has to offer dire…
WedSep 2
Live music in Buellton with Victor Valencia
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM·Brick Barn Wine Estate, Buellton
Covers and originals in English & Spanish.
ThuSep 3
Live Music at the Landsby
5 PM – 8 PM·The Landsby 1576 Mission Drive, Solvang
2026 Line Up Come join us in our courtyard on select Thursdays between 5:00 and 8:00 pm for live music performed by a diverse range of ta…
ThuSep 3
Open Mic Night in Santa Ynez
8:30 PM – 11:30 PM·Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez
It's your turn.
FriSep 4
Live music in Los Olivos with the New Vibe
5 PM – 8 PM·Carhartt Family Wines, Los Olivos
Funk+.
FriSep 4
Live music in Santa Ynez with David Tate
5:30 PM – 8 PM·Roblar Winery and Vineyards, Santa Ynez
Singer/songwriter.
FriSep 4
Solvang Theaterfest: Mad Caddies
7:30 PM – 11:59 PM·Solvang Theaterfest 420 Second Street Solvang, California 93463, Solvang
Event Name: Mad Caddies Date: 9.4.26 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Solvang Theaterfest 420 2nd Street, Solvang, CA 93463 Phone: 805-686-1789 Em…
FriSep 4
Live music in Santa Ynez with the Caverns
8:30 PM – 11:30 PM·Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez
Rock.
SatSep 5
Alma Rosa's Yoga & Picnic in the Vines
9 AM – 1 PM·Alma Rosa Winery & Estate 7250 Santa Rosa Road, Solvang
Join us for a restorative afternoon at the estate featuring vineyard yoga, wine tasting, and a leisurely picnic among the vines. Begin wi…
SatSep 5
Dog Man's Meet & Greet at the Book Loft
11 AM – 11:59 PM·The Book Loft 1680 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
📍 The Book Loft 📅 Saturday, September 5 🕚 11:00 AM – Meet & Greet📸 Meet Dog Man, snap a photo, and celebrate your favorite…
SatSep 5
Live music in Buellton with Kielo Smith
12 PM – 4 PM·Vega Vineyard & Farm, Buellton
Live music.
SatSep 5
Live music in Los Olivos with CRV
12 PM – 4 PM·Firestone Vineyard, Los Olivos
Country and rock.
SatSep 5
Live music in Buellton with Nataly Lola
12 PM – 4 PM·Vega Vineyard & Farm, Buellton
Singer/songwriter.
SatSep 5
Kaena's Live Music By Joey Sykes
1 PM – 4 PM·Kaena 800 E. Hwy 246, Solvang·Free
September 5 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Kick back & enjoy live music at Kaena at The Ranch by Joey Sykes, Guitarist from Classic Rock group THE…
SatSep 5
Live music in Solvang with Joey Sykes
1 PM – 4 PM·Kaena at the Ranch, Solvang
Classic new rock.
SatSep 5
Live music in Buellton with Amber & Smoke
1 PM – 4 PM·Brick Barn Wine Estate, Buellton
California folk 'n' soul.
SatSep 5
Alisal River Grill Labor Day BBQ
5 PM – 8 PM·Alisal, Solvang
Celebrate Labor Day weekend with a festive barbecue at Alisal River Grill. Enjoy oak-grilled tri-tip carved to order, grilled chicken,…
SatSep 5
Live music in Santa Ynez with CRV
8:30 PM – 11:30 PM·Maverick Saloon, Santa Ynez
Country and rock.
SunSep 6
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
12 PM – 8 PM·<p>Solvang Park</p> - 1630 Mission Drive Solvang CA 93463, Solvang
5th Annual Santa Ynez Valley Hispanic Heritage Community Celebration at Solvang Park https://www.cityofsolvang.com/calendar.aspx?EID=1345
SunSep 6
Live music in Buellton with Jared Nels
12 PM – 4 AM·Vega Vineyard & Farm, Buellton
Santa Barbara singer/songwriter.
SunSep 6
Live music in Buellton with Different Strings
1 PM – 4 PM·Brick Barn Wine Estate, Buellton
Rock, adult contemporary, and classic rock.
SunSep 6
Live music in Los Olivos with Carly Powers
2 PM – 5 PM·Carhartt Family Wines, Los Olivos
Live music.
Week 2 — Sept 8–14
TueSep 8
6-Week Adult Intermediate Acrylic Course
1 PM – 3:30 PM·Art Spot Studio 320 Alisal Rd, unit 306B, Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
Dates: September 8, 2026Time: 1:00 PM–3:30 PMLocation: Art Spot StudioAddress: 320 Alisal Rd, Suite 306B, Solvang, CA 93463Price: $285…
WedSep 9
Solvang Farmers Market - Every Wednesday
2:30 PM – 6 PM·Farmers Market -First Street, Downtown Solvang, Solvang
The Farmers Market works diligently to bring the freshest and most nutritious produce our rich, local agricultural land has to offer dire…
WedSep 9
6-Week Kids Process Art Class (ages 4-6)
4 PM – 4:45 PM·Art Spot Studio 320 Alisal Rd, unit 306B, Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
Dates: September 9, 2026Time: 4:00 PM–4:45 PMLocation: Art SpotAddress: 320 Alisal Rd, Suite 306B, Solvang, CA 93463Price: $280 Process…
WedSep 9
6-Week Beginner Watercolor Class
6 PM – 8:30 PM·Art Spot Studio 320 Alisal Rd, unit 306B, Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
Dates: September 9, 2026Time: 6:00 PM–8:30 PMLocation: Art SpotAddress: 320 Alisal Rd, Unit 306B, Solvang, CA 93463Price: $285 Event…
FriSep 11
Comedian Dennis Regan at Solvang Theaterfest
8 PM – 11:59 PM·Solvang Theaterfest 420 Second Street Solvang, California 93463, Solvang
Get ready for a night of nonstop laughter with comedian Dennis Regan live under the stars at Solvang Festival Theater. Known for his quic…
SatSep 12
C&E's Build Your Ring Stack Event
10 AM – 11:59 PM·C&E Fine Jewelry 476 First Street Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 Join Us in store September September 12th in collaboration with Sethi Couture to find your perfect rin…
SatSep 12
Kaena's Live Music by Rocky Logue
1 PM – 4 PM·Kaena 800 E. Hwy 246, Solvang·Free
September 12 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Aloha ���🏽 we have great wines, sweet tunes & fun times here at The Ranch! Live Music 🎶 with Rocky…
MonSep 14
6-Week Kids Art Class (ages 7-12)
4 PM – 5:30 PM·Art Spot Studio 320 Alisal Rd, unit 306B, Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
Dates: September 14, 2026Time: 4:00 PM–5:30 PMLocation: Art SpotAddress: 320 Alisal Rd, Unit 306B, Solvang, CA 93463Price: $285 Event…
Week 3 — Danish Days: Sept 15–21
WedSep 16
Solvang Farmers Market - Every Wednesday
2:30 PM – 6 PM·Farmers Market -First Street, Downtown Solvang, Solvang
The Farmers Market works diligently to bring the freshest and most nutritious produce our rich, local agricultural land has to offer dire…
FriSep 18
Solvang Danish Days
8:30 AM – 10 PM·<p>Downtown Solvang</p> - Copenhagen Drive Solvang CA 93463, Solvang
Danish Days is California’s Premier Danish Heritage Festival https://www.cityofsolvang.com/calendar.aspx?EID=1349
FriSep 18
Live music in Los Olivos with Noach Tangeras
3 PM – 6 PM·Andrew Murray Vineyards, Los Olivos
American roots.
FriSep 18
Danish Days 2026: Solvang's Danish Festival
All day·Downtown Solvang First Street and Copenhagen Drive Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
Solvang Danish Days, California’s Premier Danish Heritage Festival, returns this year with a three-day event line-up, Friday, September 1…
SatSep 19
Danish Days 2026: Solvang's Danish Festival
All day·Downtown Solvang First Street and Copenhagen Drive Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
Solvang Danish Days, California’s Premier Danish Heritage Festival, returns this year with a three-day event line-up, Friday, September 1…
SunSep 20
Danish Days 2026: Solvang's Danish Festival
All day·Downtown Solvang First Street and Copenhagen Drive Solvang, CA 93463, Solvang
Solvang Danish Days, California’s Premier Danish Heritage Festival, returns this year with a three-day event line-up, Friday, September 1…
Week 4 — Sept 22–30
WedSep 23
Solvang Farmers Market - Every Wednesday
2:30 PM – 6 PM·Farmers Market -First Street, Downtown Solvang, Solvang
The Farmers Market works diligently to bring the freshest and most nutritious produce our rich, local agricultural land has to offer dire…
ThuSep 24
Thursdays at Buttonwood: Live Music by Goodlanders
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM·Buttonwood Winery, Solvang·Free
Thusdays at Buttonwood are back! Join us this summer for four magical evenings under the oaks featuring live music from local favorites, …
SatSep 26
Solvang Skate Fest
10 AM – 5 PM·Hans Christian Andersen Park > Hans Christian Andersen-Skate Park - 633 Chalk Hill Road Solvang CA 93463, Solvang
Solvang Skate Fest is hosted by Solvang Skate Shop at the Skatepark within Hans Christian Andersen Park https://www.cityofsolvang.com/cal…
SatSep 26
Rideau Vineyard's Viognier Festival
12 PM – 4 PM·Rideau Vineyard 1562 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang
Now in its ninth year, the Viognier Festival is one of Rideau’s most beloved and anticipated events, a vibrant, open-air celebration of t…
WedSep 30
Solvang Farmers Market - Every Wednesday
2:30 PM – 6 PM·Farmers Market -First Street, Downtown Solvang, Solvang
The Farmers Market works diligently to bring the freshest and most nutritious produce our rich, local agricultural land has to offer dire…
Wine Harvest in September
September is crush season in the Santa Ynez Valley. Early-ripening varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc are harvested first, with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon coming through October. Driving past vineyards in September means seeing gondolas stacked roadside, winery delivery trucks, and the occasional late-evening lights at a crush pad.
The Santa Barbara County Vintners Association often organizes harvest events in September and October — check sbcountywines.com for the current harvest calendar. Individual estate wineries along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail sometimes host harvest lunches or pickup parties; calling ahead is the best way to find them.
Plan Your September Trip
Danish Days Guide
Sept 18–20 — parking, schedule, tips
Solvang Day Trip Plan
Bakeries → windmills → wine
Best Time to Visit
Season guide with crowd expectations
Solvang Hotels
Book early — Danish Days sells out
This Weekend
Live event calendar, updated weekly
Wine Country Guide
Full harvest season winery guide