For decades, Napa Valley has been a mecca for creatives and for the most obvious of reasons: its natural beauty, its culture of fine dining and wine, its sophisticated and varied venues, and for the well-connected and affluent patrons who live in and regularly frequent the region.
Much time and effort have gone into creating the valley’s music-friendly spaces and experimentation over the years with music genres, ensemble types, repertoire, and setting, some venues long-established, others improvised in winery and park settings. Decades of refinement have resulted in a diverse and sophisticated music landscape, the region now boasting a multitude of exceptional venues and well-organized and generously supported arts organizations. For those who live in the area, as well as those who would visit, know that nearly any kind of music can be found in Napa Valley throughout any given year, both on the big stage and in the most intimate of settings. Musicians who perform here emanate from the Bay Area and around the world. Napa’s performing arts scene rivals many large cities and now attracts top international talent.
The region’s big-stage events include the world-renowned BottleRock Napa Valley, whose inaugural 5-day festival began in 2013, and the new Festival La Onda, Northern California’s most prominent Latin music festival ever. The Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa at the Silverado Resort, which will take place again in 2025, the Oxbow Riverstage, and JaM Cellars Ballroom at the Napa Valley Opera House are other major concert series. Also popular are Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, the Black Radio Experience, and Blue Note Summer Sessions, all held at the Meritage Resort. The elegantly revamped Uptown Theatre Napa is another great spot to catch an eclectic mix of top national music acts, from Norah Jones and Todd Rundgren to Lyle Lovett. Past summer festivals in the valley have included the Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series, which is on a hiatus this year as the winery goes through renovations. Napa Valley’s impressive lineup of big-stage concert series, some presented seasonally, others year-round, all feature top international music acts.
Of these larger events, exciting this year are those taking place at The Meritage Resort, namely The Blue Note’s Summer Sessions, whose lineup is diverse and star-studded and includes the likes of the Gipsy Kings, Dwight Yoakam, Parliament Funkadelic, and Pink Martini, to name just a few. For those who might have done the jazz festival at Silverado Resort were it not an off year, consider instead Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, which is taking place at The Meritage, as well as Blue Note’s downtown stage at the Opera House. This 4-day event in June features big-ticket concerts, side parties, and food-related events.
Blue Note Jazz Festival // Photo By Tymel
The new big event of the 2024 season will be the Festival La Onda, an offshoot of BottleRock. It will feature over 30 acts in numerous Latin genres, including Mexican, Latin pop, Spanish rock, and more. Those attending can look forward to two days of performances by Alejandro Fernández, Maná, Fuerza Regida, Junior H, Silvana Estrada, and Mario Bautista, among others.
Big-stage events are by no means the only musical entertainment going on in the valley. Classical music concerts abound at numerous venues around the region through Festival Napa Valley, Music in the Vineyards, and Chamber Music in Napa Valley, with occasional operatic recitals at Jarvis Conservatory. Similarly, Broadway & Vine Summertime in Napa Valley showcases award-winning Broadway stars, celebrities, and emerging talent who perform throughout the year at wineries in intimate settings that allow a more personal connection to the performers. Well-known to locals are also high-quality performances at The White Barn in St. Helena, which features everything from folk to jazz and classical, with other genres thrown in for good measure.
Of the classical series, Music in the Vineyards looks to be rounding out an exciting season of performances. Highlights include the Grammy award-winning Catalyst Quartet and the critically acclaimed Calidore Quartet, whose impressive tour schedule includes performances at major venues worldwide. As always, Festival Napa Valley has intriguing concerts featuring a mixture of chamber music ensembles, soloists with chamber orchestra, and more, with concerts at Charles Krug, Bouchaine Vineyards, and the CIA Copia.
Casual, free-to-the-public concerts also occur throughout the valley in the summer months. On the valley’s north end are the Calistoga Concerts in the Park, just a couple blocks off Lincoln Avenue in Pioneer Park. On Wednesday nights in July are the St. Helena Summer Concerts in the center of town at Lyman Park, and Yountville offers its Summer Concert Series in Veterans Memorial Park on Sundays from June through September; these casual concerts always paired up with one of the region’s favorite food trucks. On Friday nights in July, Napa offers its ever-popular Napa City Nights Summer Concerts, which take place in the Veterans Memorial Park Amphitheatre right on Main Street. Since 2011, summers have also included PorchFest, a popular one-day festival held on the last Sunday in July. During PorchFest, local bands and smaller combos perform on the porches of homes in the Fuller Park – Abajo neighborhoods, with roads closed off for the day to allow audiences to spill out onto the streets. (Note: The event’s organizers are regrouping this year, and this festival should reopen in 2025.)
For those looking to relax after a long day of work or wine tasting, live music can be found in restaurant and bar settings throughout the region. On weekends in Calistoga, enjoy live music at the Hydro Bar and Grill, the Calistoga Inn, and the Picayune Cellar Tasting Room on Lincoln Avenue. By far, the best Bay Area jazz and blues musicians congregate on Sundays at Buster’s BBQ. This impressive lineup of musicians can be found on Buster’s website, and as one might imagine, this music pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s authentic Louisiana-style BBQ.
In St. Helena, The Saint Wine Bar hosts live music, and during warmer months, Merryvale Vineyards offers music on their terrace on the first and third Friday of each month. In Yountville, live music can be found at the Regiis Ova Bar and Lounge and at the RH Yountville Wine Vault.
BottleRock // Photo by Lowell Downey, Art+Clarity
The town of Napa is bursting at the seams with musical adventures. The longest-standing spot to enjoy local bands and combos in the region is Downtown Joe’s, a brewery and local’s favorite restaurant. A trendy place to enjoy top musical talent is the JaM Cellars Wine and Music Studio on First St. in Napa, with soloists and groups performing four days a week. More great music can be found at The Fink, Napa’s Trader Vic-inspired cocktail lounge, and the speakeasy-style Hollywood Room at Napa Valley Distillery.
Napa’s burgeoning brewpub scene has some standout musical offerings, the newest being The Garden by Tannery Bend Beerworks, a vibrant beer garden setting whose music stage is the focal point of the establishment. If one is hankering for champagne, head to Be Bubbly, which always has a great lineup of performers, all of whom are listed on their website. Downtown rooftop bars are a great way to enjoy the sunset while enjoying romantic musical riffs and a delicious craft cocktail. Sky and Vine at the Archer Hotel and the Mercantile Terrace at the Andaz Hotel are the rooftop spots for catching live music, though it is best to call ahead to obtain the latest schedule. Other regional hotels and resorts with live music include Carneros Resort (FARM Pavilion), the Embassy Suites, River Terrace Inn (ALBA Restaurant), and The Estate in Yountville.
A musical excursion should be part of any Napa Valley itinerary and, in the case of big-ticket events, the center point of an exciting week in the region. And for those who live in Napa, there is the great luxury of having world-class entertainment within a short drive or walk from home.
