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Solvang staff outline YuleFest closures, pedestrian safety and parking plans for 2025
Summary
Staff proposed partial closures of Copenhagen Drive and temporary First Street closures for high-attendance events, pedestrian-safety measures, parking partnerships (Lot 72), and reallocated crossing guards; closure would remove about 30 parking spaces and staff will pursue additional private parking and improved wayfinding.
City staff presented a planning update on YuleFest 2025 to the Solvang City Council on Aug. 11, proposing temporary road closures, pedestrian-safety measures, and expanded parking options to manage high December visitor volumes.
Candice LaBaer, marketing/events coordinator, described the key elements of the draft plan: partial closure of Copenhagen Drive from Alisal to First Street for the month of YuleFest to reduce vehicle–pedestrian conflicts at the busy Alisal/Copenhagen intersection; temporary closure of First Street from Mission Drive to Copenhagen Drive during high-attendance events such as the tree-lighting ceremony and the Copenhagen countdown; and reallocating crossing guards to priority intersections.
Staff said the Copenhagen partial closure would eliminate about 30 parking spaces near downtown; the city is pursuing additional parking via private-property partnerships and the pending Lot 72 project. The plan would add protective measures to park turf and require event organizers to use protective pads and pay for any damage. Staff also proposed enhanced wayfinding, more waste and recycling receptacles and coordinated sign and barricade programs for closures.
Candice said the city intends to make the First Street closure a “statement piece” with holiday decoration and to limit the closures to high-attendance times to protect resident access. She told council the city has budgeted for additional crossing guards, barricades and signage within the existing YuleFest budget.
Council members asked for specifics about restaurant use of closed streets (staff said permitted activity would be limited to existing authorization and staff will coordinate with affected businesses) and confirmed staff will work with parking partners to encourage free or low-cost options where feasible. Several public commenters suggested studying traffic impacts during the month-long closure to inform any long-term changes.
Next steps: Staff will pursue Lot 72 and private-parking partnerships, finalize closure logistics and return more detailed implementation steps and event-time schedules to council before YuleFest.
