While the Napa Valley is best known for its stunning vineyards and delicious wines, this area of Northern California is brimming with so much more. From luxurious resorts to unique cultural events, Napa offers both visitors and residents endless opportunities for rest, relaxation, and fun that all combine to make it one of the most desirable destinations in California and the country.
Napa is a beautiful place to spend time outside, and with a temperate climate and stunning surroundings, it is also the ideal venue for outdoor concerts. Late spring through early autumn, Napa Valley plays host to a number of music events and festivals that provide the community with opportunities to enjoy live music as well as the great outdoors at gorgeous venues throughout the Valley. With something for every musical taste at every scale, from global festivals to local summer concert series, these music events can’t be missed.
One of Napa’s most well-known music festivals is BottleRock, an annual three-day event filled with music, food, wine, and more in the heart of Napa. Since 2013, BottleRock has brought together the community of Napa, Californians from all over the state, and music and wine lovers from all over the country to kick off summer and celebrate what makes Napa so unique. The inaugural festival was a five-day gathering with three stages featuring over 60 bands, endless tasting opportunities showcasing wines from 40 local wineries, and was attended by over 120,000 people. It was Napa’s first large-scale festival and truly set the precedent for years to come.
Ever since, BottleRock has been known as Napa’s signature event and one of the country’s premier music festivals, taking place every May and fusing world-class musicians with California’s best wines and one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. Over the years, BottleRock has played host to some of the country’s and world’s well-known and up-and-coming musical talent, from The Black Keys and Red Hot Chili Peppers to Pharrell Williams and Bruno Mars, representing a variety of genres and appealing to a wide range of tastes. BottleRock also boasts the largest silent discos in North America every night of the festival, where thousands of festival-goers gather to enjoy music from DJs alone but together.
In partnership with Williams Sonoma, the Culinary Stage features all-star celebrity and local chefs that bring the spirit and love of food to the festival in an entertaining way. As well, a number of Napa Valley vendors exhibit at the event, offering a range of cuisine for festival-goers to sample over the three-day experience. Complimenting the food are wines from some of Napa Valley’s best wineries as well as the area’s up-and-coming wineries and craft beers from local and national breweries. Spirits lovers will also find themselves at home at BottleRock, with a Bourbon Bar and booths from Ketel One Vodka, Don Julio Tequila, Hendrick’s Gin, and more.
Rounding out this authentic Wine Country experience is the incorporation of art and creative installations throughout the festival grounds, including sculptures and live muraling that only enrich BottleRock further. For those looking for some pampering, BottleRock also offers spa amenities, where attendees can recharge with revitalizing foot and body massages, mini facials, hair styling and makeup, and hydration therapy.
Those with a heart for jazz can’t miss the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, a four-day luxury wine and music festival hosted by renowned jazz artist Brian Culbertson. Over five days in June, an all-star ensemble of jazz and R&B musicians gather in one of the country’s richest cultural centers to share their talents with fellow music lovers. Kicking off mid-month, the festival starts on a Wednesday with a welcome dinner and jam session in the courtyard at the Westin Verasa, a 4-star hotel along the river in downtown Napa, hosted by Brian himself and featuring a multi-course meal prepared and served by Michelin-star chef Ken Frank of world-renowned Napa French restaurant, La Toque.
Marking its 15th anniversary in 2020, Festival Napa Valley is a vibrant celebration of food, wine, music, and the Napa lifestyle that more than 200 wineries and vintners, restaurants and chefs, theaters and musicians participate in annually. In honor of its 15th year, the festival will span ten days and include a variety of programming, from patron dinners at vintner’s luncheons to the signature Taste of Napa event, showcasing the best of Napa’s dining, wines, and musicians, hosted at the stunning Italian villa-inspired Vista Collina Resort.
1229 Adams St. St. Helena CA 94574
1229 Adams St. St. Helena CA 94574