Solvang Theaterfest and the Solvang Festival Theater

Solvang Festival Theater quick facts

Theater

420 Second Street, Solvang. 0.4 mi (2 min drive) from Solvang Park, the village green

Box office

433 Second Street, across the street; 805-686-1789. Opens when the gates open on event days

Seats

700, around a thrust stage that pushes into the audience

PCPA plays

PCPA box office 805-922-8313 or pcpa.org; it opens at the theater at 6pm on performance days

Coming up

Elf the Musical, Dec 11 to 12, 2026

Weather

Outdoors, rain or shine. No umbrellas (ponchos sold at the theater)

Kids

No children under 5 unless the show says otherwise

Food and drink

Snacks, beer, wine and soft drinks sold; outside snacks OK, outside drinks and all glass not

Parking

Free on nearby streets and in the public lots off Mission Drive and Oak Street

Access

Wheelchair seats with companion spots in Row M; assistive listening devices at the Company Store

Instagram

@solvangfestivaltheater

Is Solvang Theaterfest the same as PCPA?

No, and the difference decides who you call for tickets. PCPA, the Pacific Conservatory Theatre, is a professional conservatory company based on the Allan Hancock College campus in Santa Maria; it brings some of its summer productions to Solvang. Solvang Theaterfest is a separate nonprofit that owns and runs the Solvang Festival Theater, books its own concerts and a Summer Music in the Garden series on the Terrace Stage, and rents the venue out. PCPA tickets: 805-922-8313 or pcpa.org. Everything else: 805-686-1789 or solvangtheaterfest.org.

What's playing at Solvang Theaterfest?

The theater's own calendar lists one event for the rest of 2026: Elf the Musical on December 11 and 12, which fits neatly into a Julefest weekend (see Solvang at Christmas). PCPA's 2027 summer season and the next concert lineup aren't posted yet. In Santa Maria, PCPA's Marian Theatre runs The Wizard of Oz from November 5 to December 20, 2026.

What to bring to an outdoor show

• A blanket and a warm layer. The theater itself warns that nights are generally chilly, even after a warm Solvang day.
• A poncho, not an umbrella. Umbrellas block sightlines and aren't allowed; ponchos are sold on site.
• Snacks if you like. Outside food is fine unless a show says otherwise. Outside drinks and glass are not; the bar sells beer, wine and soft drinks.
• Your ticket stub if you step out, for re-entry.

No photos or video during PCPA performances. Dogs other than trained service animals stay home.

Parking, and where to eat before the show

Park for free on the surrounding streets or in the public lots off Mission Drive and Oak Street; our Solvang parking guide lists every free lot. The theater sits at the quiet end of Second Street, so dinner on Copenhagen Drive or Mission Drive is a short walk away: see Solvang restaurants. Two of Theaterfest's own sponsors cover dinner and a bed: Whiskey 'N Rye, the barbecue smokehouse (our Whiskey 'N Rye guide), and Hotel Corque, which Theaterfest calls "just steps from the theater" (our Hotel Corque guide).

Good to know

Is Solvang Festival Theater outdoors? Yes, every event is outdoors and runs rain or shine. Bring a blanket and warm clothes; umbrellas aren't allowed, but ponchos are sold.

How many seats does Solvang Festival Theater have? 700, arranged around a thrust stage that extends into the audience.

Where do you park for Solvang Festival Theater? Free, on the nearby streets and in the public lots off Mission Drive and Oak Street, a short walk from 420 Second Street.

Can kids go to Solvang Theaterfest shows? Children 5 and older, unless a specific show says otherwise. Under 5s aren't admitted.

Can you bring food to Solvang Festival Theater? Yes, snacks are allowed unless a show says otherwise. Outside drinks and glass are not; the theater sells snacks, beer, wine and soft drinks.

Nearby: eat, taste, stay

• Solvang at Christmas: Julefest light shows every evening, the same weekend as Elf
• Whiskey 'N Rye: Barbecue smokehouse and a Theaterfest sponsor · Pre-show dinner
• Hotel Corque: Faces Mission Santa Inés, pool, Craft House next door
• Solvang nightlife: Where to get a drink after the curtain
• Things to do in Solvang: The mission, museums and windmills by day

Quick answers

What shows are scheduled at Solvang Theaterfest?

For the rest of 2026 the theater lists Elf the Musical (Dec 11 to 12). PCPA's 2027 summer season isn't announced yet.