Napa Valley Events and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Napa Valley, California - CA, USA)

All through the year, there are many events and wine-related festivals taking place in and around the Napa Valley, such as the Annual Vineyard to Vintner Festival each April, the Calistoga Wineries Spring Celebration in May, and also the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend each July.

The Lincoln Theater is located within Yountville and provides an extensive calendar of things to do and see, including regular musical events and popular concerts, often headlined by the acclaimed Napa Valley Symphony Orchestra. Music lovers on vacation should also consider spending an evening at the Napa Valley Opera House, which is to be found within the city and regularly stages major musical productions. Also of note is the springtime Sonoma Film Festival, the Harmony Festival each June, and the Napa Wine and Crafts Faire in September.

January

• Napa Valley Mustard Festival - late January to February, an annual competition with around 20 different categories, celebrating the agricultural harvest of the region, based in Yountville. The event also includes a golfing competitions which is sponsored by the valley's Smothers Brothers Winery
• Annual 'Mostly Mozart' Gala Concert - mid-January, a classical music extravaganza

February

• Forever Young: Una Sera Incantata - early February, a fundraising event at the Castello di Amorosa, with live auctions and fine dining within the Great Hall at the Castello

March

• Silver Pass Weekend - mid-March, a number of different wineries open along the Silverado Trail, with gifts for pass holders and plenty to sample
• A Taste of Yountville - mid-March, a gourmet food festival at Yountville, where local cuisine and wines are showcased together

April

• Sonoma Film Festival - early April, a combination of both cinema and gourmet cuisine, attractive movie-goers and connoisseurs of food and drink alike. There are also 100 different film screenings at the festival, with food and wine tastings offering before each event
• April in Carneros - mid-April, wine tasting in Carneros marks the arrival of spring
• Annual Vineyard to Vintner Festival - mid-April, hosted each year by the Stags Leap District Winegrower Association and now involving a total of 15 different wineries, with seminars, wine tasting, talks and demonstrations
• Annual Justin-Siena Wine Auction - late April, held at the Villagio Inn and Spa in Yountville
• Great Petaluma Chili Cook-Off, Salsa and Beer Tasting - late April / early May, a community event at Behren's Park and the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, with live music and plenty of hot, tasty chili for everyone, along with locally produced beer and wines

May

• Napa Valley Home and Garden Tour - a selection of private homes and gardens are opened to members of the public
• Annual Napa Valley Tour de Cure - mid-May, one of the biggest charity events in the whole of California, starting in Yountville and following four different trails, through both the Alexander Valley and Napa. The 'Tour de Cure' is held in aid of the American Diabetes Association
• Calistoga Wineries Spring Celebration - mid-May, wine tasting, barrel sampling, hot food and music at a group of wineries within the Calistoga area

June

• Harmony Festival - early June, lasting two days and held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Visitors will be treated to outdoor entertainment of all descriptions, performed on six different stages, along with aromatherapy demonstrations and market stalls
• Annual Walk Through the Vineyards - mid-June, a charity event raising funding for the Napa Valley Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. This walk is around 2 miles / 3 km in length and takes in some beautiful vineyard scenery along the way
• Calistoga Art in the Park - mid-June, founded in the late 1990s and now a very well-supported annual event, being promote by local wineries around the Napa Valley

July

• Napa County Fair and Silverado Parade - July 4th, an traditional county fair with a distinctive old-fashioned atmosphere, a Fourth of July Parade, vintage cars, live music, horse riding displays, and more. Held at the Napa County Fairgrounds
• 4th of July Spectacular - various events, including a parade and fireworks at the Veterans Home, and American Blues music at the Pacific Blues Cafe on the V Marketplace
• Festival del Sole - mid-July, established as recently as 2006 and now taking place annually at the Lincoln Theater on the California Drive, in Yountville
• Catalan Festival - mid-July, an outstanding event in Sonoma, where visitors will be able to learn more about all aspects of the Spanish culture, attracting visitors from throughout the San Francisco Bay area. Both wine and music play an important part of the festivities
• Robert Mondavi Summer Music Festival - late July, live music and concerts at the Robert Mondavi Winery, on the St. Helena Highway in Oakville
• Vine Village Annual Celebration - late July, popular yearly golfing tournament with sit-down dinners and auctions. Held at Napa's Chardonnay Golf Club
• Sonoma Wine Country Weekend - late July / early August, a weekend event in Santa Rosa, devotes entirely to locally produced Californian wine. A number of restaurants and wineries around the Sonoma County join in the fun and offer wine tastings, auctions and lectures. The Sonoma Wine Country Weekend lasts a total of three days and always draws in large crowds from the adjoining Napa Valley region

August

• Redwood Empire Fair - mid-August, a very family-friendly event staged annually at the District Fair Grounds on North State Street, in Ukiah. The Redwood Empire Fair features markets, open-air concerts and dancing, and various animals, with livestock including horses, cows and also pigs, which are integral to the Breeding Swine Show. All kinds of side stalls and games provide added interest for the younger generation

September

• Cellar Sale at Sterling Vineyards - early September, something for bargain hunters looking for cheap wines and older vintages at reduced prices
• Labor Day BBQ Festival - early September, at the Oxbow Public Market in Napa, with live entertainment and food, with proceeds benefiting the city's Napa Valley Opera House
• Katmandu Fall Festival - mid-September, a chance to experience a taster of Nepalese culture at Sonoma. Expect to find music and dancing, food stalls, ethnic handicrafts and an eclectic array of items originating from India. This is a charity event in aid of the Children's Medical Aid Foundation
• Napa Wine and Crafts Faire - mid-September, a major annual fair based around Main Street and 1st Street in downtown Napa. This fair has grow to be a huge event, attracting more than 12,000 people each year, who come to enjoy the wine tasting, the hot food, the partying and the opportunity to buy some unusual gifts

October

• Anniversary SHCS Gala Wine Auction - mid-October, held at both the Revana Family Vineyards and the St. Helena Catholic School
• Halloween Spooktacular - October 31st, with ghoulish decorations and spooky celebrations held at the V Marketplace at Yountville. The event is free of charge and all are welcome, particularly if you come wearing a scary costume

November

• Calistoga Downtown Jazz and Blues Festival - early November, live music attracting many jazz artists and musicians from around California, performing at venues within central Calistoga. As well as numerous performances and jazz and bluegrass related events, the Calistoga Downtown Jazz and Blues Festival also features plenty of stalls selling food and drink

December

• Spencer Day - early December, live entertainment at the Napa Valley Opera House and the Lincoln Theater in Yountville
• Santa Claus Express - mid-December, Santa Claus and his little helpers take a ride onboard the Napa Valley Wine Train to Yountville
• Christmas Celebrations and Yuletide Festivities - throughout December, various events staged around the valley, including choir concerts, markets, lighting ceremonies in the main cities and the Festival of Trees Gala Event, which takes place at the Napa Valley Opera House