January 15 – 18, 2016

Napa Truffle Festival at the Westin Verasa Napa Hotel – Napa, CA
Free for entry into the marketplace. Pay per event or get VIP packages from $900 to $1,250.

If you are a “foodie” coming to Napa Valley, don’t miss the Napa Truffle Festival. This marketplace lets you sample foods created by artisan truffle vendors. Watch gourmet chef demonstrations and learn all there is to know about these rare ingredients at the truffle seminars. Enjoy a glass of delectable California wine during the truffle lunches and dinners, created by Michelin Star chefs. For a memorable, one-of-a-kind experience, sign up for the wild mushroom forage.

March 17 – 20, 2016

Flavor! Napa Valley – Napa and St. Helena, CA
Prices range for each event from $75 to $1,400 for inclusive packages

Celebrate California foods and wines at Flavor! Napa Valley, an annual food extravaganza held in Napa and St. Helena. Over 85 wineries participate to pair world-class California wines with savory morsels crafted by Michelin Star chefs. Although the 2016 list of chefs has not yet been released, past culinary stars include Christopher Kostow, the head chef at Napa Valley’s Restaurant at Meadowood.

Want to learn from one of these outstanding chefs? Join in the cooking demonstrations alongside the chefs to improve your culinary skills. Flavor! Napa Valley is the perfect event if you’re a Napa wine lover.

March 4 – 6, 2016

CabFest Napa Valley – Yountville, CA
$750 for VIP tickets (include concert, wine tastings, and exclusive VIP events); Wine tasting tickets $125

Come taste the best examples of California Cabernet Sauvignons at Cabfest Napa Valley. Hundreds of California wineries showcase their top Cabernet Sauvignon creations at this event. Attend the festival’s engaging educational and interactive symposiums to learn about the process behind producing this luscious red wine. Get your exclusive VIP tickets for a live music performance by singer/songwriter Mat Kearney.

May 27 – 29, 2016

BottleRock – Napa, CA
Prices range from $225 for general admission to $2,500 for platinum VIP

Bottlerock blends local music, delicious food, wine from dozens of local vineyards, and beers with some of the biggest names in music for one of the best annual festivals in California. Although the 2016 lineup has not yet been announced, the 2015 festival featured Imagine Dragons, the Avett Brothers, Robert Plant, No Doubt, and Foster the People.

June 2 – 5, 2016

Napa Valley Wine Auction – St. Helena, CA
Ticket prices range from $500 per person to $15,000 for VIP couples tickets

In addition to the wine auction, this event gives you access to the wine cellars of the most renowned Napa Valley Vintners. Whether you are looking for a black tie gathering or a more laid back social event, dozens of vineyards host parties that appeal to every wine lover. During the main event, you can bid on over 300 wine-related auctions, including cases of the finest wines, winery weekend trips, private concerts, shopping sprees, and high-end jewels. Participating in this event gives you an added bonus, too. Auction Napa Valley has donated over $150 million to Napa County community health and children’s education nonprofits.

July 31, 2016

Napa Porchfest – Napa, CA
Free

Music fills the air in Napa on one summer Sunday afternoon in July. Walk around Napa’s most historic neighborhoods to see musicians of various genres play on the front porches all afternoon. Dozens of houses in historic Napa neighborhoods participate in this musical tradition. If you are a fan of blues, country, string bands, folk music, or just good old-fashioned rock and roll, Napa Porchfest is a great chance to listen to live music without the huge crowds or high ticket prices.

July 15 – 24, 2016

Festival Napa Valley – Napa, St. Helena, Yountville, and Calistoga, CA
Ticket prices range from $449 to $10,000

10 days and 100 wineries make the Festival Napa Valley a can’t-miss event in Napa Valley in July. See live opera, classical, and jazz musical performances, along with dance and theater performances. The festival concludes with a gala and live auction, featuring a special musical guest. The 2016 entertainer has not been announced, but Kevin Spacey performed for the 2015 event.

November 2016

Napa Valley Film Festival – Napa, St. Helena, Yountville, and Calistoga, CA
Tickets range from $95 for one day passes to $2,500 for Patron Circle VIP passes

Plan your visit during the Napa Valley Film festival in November for 5 days of cinematic entertainment. The festival hosts 125 independent films and over 300 filmmakers come out for this star-studded event (John Travolta, Dave Grohl, Kevin Kostner, and Michelle Monaghan have attended in previous years). Enjoy the best food and wine from the region with 150 California wineries and 30 of Napa’s best chefs, including Jason Kupper from Heritage Eats, Jake Rand from Eikos, and Tyler Rodde from Oenotri.

July 4, 2016

Napa County Fair & Fireworks
$20 for people 13 and older, $25 for

Wear your favorite red, white, and blue attire to the Napa County Fair and Fireworks event, held annually on the 4th of July. With live music and shows, a parade of floats and horses, carnival rides, and cooking demonstrations, you will find plenty to keep you busy at the Napa County Fair. Once the sun goes down, witness an impressive display of live fireworks.

Napa Valley may have thousands of vineyards and wineries for you to visit, but the area also hosts a wide array of annual festivals and events. Plan your next vacation with this guide to see all that Napa Valley has to offer during your California getaway.

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Author

WineCountry Staff