The Napa Valley Weekender
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — Welcome to Napa Valley Features’ Weekender. Every Friday morning we provide a selection of activities and experiences around the region that has been curated by the Napa Valley Features team. Our goal is to provide at least a few free or low-cost events and to cover every town in our valley. This is an eclectic list, ranging from theatrical readings to musical concerts, from wine celebrations to art gallery tours, from charitable walks to astronomical marvels. Our goal is for both locals and visitors to find this list valuable, engaging and complete with sufficient details to eliminate the need for extensive searches for times, locations or any associated costs.
To have your event considered for our Napa Valley Weekender, please complete our new form. Ensure you provide all essential details about the event, as well as your contact information should we have any inquiries. Submissions must be received by Wednesday evening for consideration in that week's Friday Weekender. Thank you.
This Weekend
The Orionid meteor shower is from Oct. 20-21. This event free to observe (just look up!).
American Canyon
Napa-Vallejo Flea Market: Open Sundays from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round, this may be the largest and longest-lived flea market in Northern California. If you haven’t been, think community garage sale on steroids. 303 S Kelly Road, American Canyon, 707-226-8862.
Calistoga
Live music every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Calistoga’s Picayune Cellars, 1440 Lincoln Ave. This week we are featuring Jacob Philip Benning. We are serving our wines by the glass and culinary goodies from our kitchen. No cover, always fun and delicious. Check out the line up or reserve your Plat du Jour ($25 per person, with or without wine) here. For details call (707) 341-3410 or visit picayunecellars.com.
The Moonshine at Mount View Hotel, 1457 Lincoln Ave. in Calistoga, hosts a weekend of entertainment on Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21. The outdoor movie venue opens at 6 p.m. on both nights; Friday it will screen “The Bishop's Wife” (1947 romance/fantasy) starring Cary Grant and on Saturday night it will screen “The Third Man” (1949 noir/thriller) starring Joseph Cotton. Both movies start at 6:45 p.m. On Saturday afternoon, The Madhouse Band with Craig Caffall will play from 3 to 5 p.m., performing swamp rock, Latin, blues and an assortment of famous cover songs including Mustang Sally. Others in the band include Bob McBain, Tom Miller, Michael Israel and Jeff Smith. Movie tickets are priced at $5 and live music tickets at $15 (both at the door and Eventbrite). Food and drinks are available for purchase. For private screening and event inquiries, contact the venue at (707) 942-6877.
Calistoga Farmers’ Market: This year-round market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. The Calistoga Farmers’ Market, managed by a Market Advisory Committee under the umbrella of the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce, is full of fresh vegetables, local fish, arts, crafts, baked goods and music. It's located on Washington Street adjacent to the Community Center and across from City Hall.
Sofie Contemporary Arts, 1407 Lincoln Ave. in Calistoga, announces its new solo exhibition, Will Ashford’s WORDSCAPES. The artist's reception is from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21. Light refreshments will be served and wines by CADE Estate Winery. WORDSCAPES is a series of Calistoga-based artist Will Ashford's new paintings and related prints. The exhibition includes black and white canvases created using various fonts that are meticulously composed and then painted to create abstracted, intricate, and often interlocking patterns that have messages embedded into them and almost seem to dance. Related small-framed prints of mysteriously altered book pages are also included in the exhibition. Ashford has had prior exhibitions at Sofie Contemporary Arts and several other venues, but this is the first time he has been able to show a large body of work since the 2017 Tubbs Fire destroyed his home near Calistoga and also much of his prior work. For more information contact the gallery at (707) 942-4231 or email jan@sofiegallery.com or scott@sofiegallery.com.
Buster’s BBQ Jazz and Blues: Enjoy free music (tips appreciated!) every Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. Listen to jazz and blues on the back patio at Buster's Southern BBQ, weather permitting.
Karaoke at Maria Concetto Winery, every Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. Located at 1367 Lincoln Ave. in Calistoga, the winery opens its stage for aspiring soloists and groups looking for a night of musical fun. Admission is free and attendees can purchase wines available by the glass or bottle while enjoying a variety of dining options brought in partnership with Bricco Osteria.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley ends its 2023 Wine Dinner Series celebrating Michelin-starred restaurant Auro and the iconic Opus One winery. Opus One, a symbol of winemaking brilliance, crafts wines distinguished by their balance, complexity and power. Guided by Chris Blanchard of Opus One and Four Seasons sommelier Derek Stevenson, the evening, 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, promises a match of ultra-premium wines and culinary creations by executive chef Rogelio Garcia. The four-course dinner menu is $450 per person and the event will be held at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, 400 Silverado Trail in Calistoga. Reservations here or contact Auro.NapaValley@fourseasons.com or call (707) 709-2160.
Napa
Napa County Historical Society announces its newest exhibit, “City of Immigrants: An American Story,” which opened Oct. 12 and runs through March 24 at the Historic Goodman Library, 1219 First St. in downtown Napa. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. This exhibit explores the many waves of immigration into the valley from 1820 to 1920. Each immigration wave over the century has combined to create a rich tapestry of ethnicities and cultural blending. Every ethnicity has left its stamp on the Napa Valley, whether or not it is immediately discernible, leaving imprints of immigrants archaeologically and visually, as well as in words, names and esthetics. “City of Immigrants” highlights the impact each group has had on the valley, building a more nuanced history that celebrates diversity. For more information, or to become a member of the Napa County Historical Society, please visit www.napahistory.org.
“The Wizard of Oz” opens at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20 for six public performances on the main theater at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center. Napa Valley College Performing Arts, in partnership with Cafeteria Kids Theater, brings "The Wizard of Oz" to the mainstage for two weekends. This classic tale of a Kansas farm girl who travels to Oz, faces flying monkeys, a wicked witch, makes fantastical friends and finds the magical power of "home" has been entertaining audiences for generations. In this co-production, the cast is comprised of local youth actors, Napa Valley College students, community actors and alumni artists. All performances are accompanied by a live orchestra. Directed by Aimée Guillot and Olivia Cowell with music direction by Dr. Christina Howell. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $25 general, $20 for students, seniors and military and $15 for youth younger than 12. Performances include double casts (ruby and emerald) for the six public performances. For tickets visit here.
The Napa Farmers Market is held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at 1100 West St. at Pearl, also on Tuesdays at the same time and place.
The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is hosting its annual Halloween Haunt, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, as part of its biannual di Rosa Day events. Attendees can look forward to a range of activities that include a haunted house, a hay bale maze, seasonal art activities with GUILD Napa and more. The event also features an art and makers market, a costume contest, a photo booth, food trucks and trick-or-treating opportunities. Di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, 5200 Sonoma Highway, Napa. Tickets are $45 for general admission, $30 for members and $10 for minors (ages 3 to 20). Tickets are available at dirosaart.org.
A Young Professionals Napa Valley mixer is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Chispa Bar, 929 Main St. in Napa. These mixers provide an opportunity for young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 who live and/or work in Napa Valley to network, engage in community activities and gain exclusive access to upcoming events and a member directory. Membership is free, and the October event at Chispa includes the added perk of having a professional headshot taken by photographer Bob McClenahan. Reservations are required and attendees can RSVP via Eventbrite. For more information, visit the Young Professionals Napa Valley website or contact them via email.
St. Helena
The St. Helena Farmers’ Market is on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to noon from May through October in Crane Park, 360 S. Crane Ave.
Jason Wise returns to St. Helena’s Cameo Cinema with SOMM: A Cup of Salvation, on Friday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, at 2 and 7:45 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. The latest installment in the award-winning SOMM documentary series delves into the history of wine and its cultural impact, featuring an American winemaker’s perilous journey to revive her ancestral vines. The film traverses from the Caucasus Mountains, known as the birthplace of wine, to Vatican archives, and even into the restricted vineyards of Iran. Tickets are $20 and include a post-screening Q&A session with Director Jason Wise and co-producer and cast member Armen Khachaturian. Box office phone: 707-963-9779.
UpStage Napa Valley’s third annual playwright festival, “PlayFest,” is slated for the weekends of Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-29. The performances will take place in Newton Hall at Grace Episcopal Church, 1314 Spring St., St. Helena. Over the course of two weekends, nine 15-minute original plays will be showcased, focusing on various social issues. Artistic director Sharie Renault emphasizes that the festival aims not just to entertain but also to engage and heal through theater. Tickets are available at $35 per weekend or $65 for both weekends. Group rates of $30 per person apply to parties over 10, and student tickets are available for $25 each. Performances on Fridays and the first Saturday are at 7:30 p.m., while Sundays and the second Saturday feature matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here or at the door.
Join the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for our exclusive Harvest Grape Stomp, an evening of networking, private grape stomping, live jazz music, wine and bites at Grgich Hills Estate, 1829 St. Helena Highway in Rutherford. Free for chamber members, $25 for non-members. RSVP here.
Yountville
Valley Players presents “Men on Boats” by Jaclyn Backhaus at the Yountville Community Center from now through Sunday, Oct. 29. Performances are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Advance tickets are $25. Tickets are also available at the door for $28. Join us for this immersive experience that is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition when a one-armed captain and a crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River. Visit our website, email valley.players.napa@gmail.com or call (707) 948-6273 for tickets and more information.
“Pollyanna Valley” comes Saturday, Oct. 21 to Feb. 25 to the History Gallery at the Napa Valley Museum at 55 Presidents Circle in Yountville. It delves into the making of the Disney classic Pollyanna (1960), starring Hayley Mills. The exhibit explores why Walt Disney selected various filming locations in the Napa and Sonoma valleys, including Santa Rosa, St. Helena, Calistoga and Petaluma, to depict an idyllic turn-of-the-century town. The exhibit will feature rare behind-the-scenes photographs as well as original lobby cards and posters. Admission is included with general admission. For further information, contact the History Gallery at 707-944-0500.
Every Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. Hotel Villagio in Yountville hosts live music in its lobby. The free event takes place at 6481 Washington St.
Sunrise yoga at Bardessono Hotel and Spa rooftop pool deck: The event takes place every Saturday from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. This morning yoga session focuses on breath work and meditation, providing a serene start to the weekend. The cost is $30 per person, and reservations are required due to limited space. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the Bardessono front desk.
Upcoming Events
Calistoga’s Picayune Cellars & Mercantile will host a unique custom hat bar experience from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27 at 1440 Lincoln Ave. We will have beautiful hats from Van Palma, Pendleton and American Hat Makers! All of these are beautiful on their own, but we will have all the accessories and branding tools here for you to customize your hat and make it your one-of-a-kind creation. Our wine will be flowing to increase those creative juices.
Evil Vines Cemetery, 2110 Euclid Ave. in Napa, is a free Halloween yard display featuring handmade props and spooky fun scares for all ages. Display lights on daily dusk to 10 p.m. Spooky path open from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. 3D walk-through, spooky path and trick-or-treating is from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. Visit here for details and potential schedule changes due to weather. We're dying to see you!Susie’s Halloween party will be from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 28 at the famed Calistoga cocktail bar, 1365 Lincoln Ave. DJ Cali B will be spinning tunes all night and a costume contest will be held at midnight.
Come join Lang & Reed’s annual harvest party, Saturday, Oct. 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Spring House, 1244 Spring St. in St. Helena. The Skupny Family invites you to experience the flavors of the harvest season, featuring Lang & Reed Napa Valley’s latest vintages and library selections, complemented by bites from La Saison. Guests can also enjoy live music by Coyote Creates with a variety of spaces to relax, including the scenic front porch and the board room dedicated to Georgia Bulldogs fans. Tickets are $65 per person, with Lang & Reed wine club members receiving two complimentary passes. Contact: 707-963-7547 or email megan@langandreed.com. Tickets at Eventbrite.
Live Kai Lyons Afro-Caribbean Quintet, Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m. at the Cameo Cinema, 1340 Main St. in St. Helena. The concert promises an afternoon filled with world-class music led by San Francisco native guitarist Kai Lyons and featuring the powerhouse vocals of Christelle Durandy. The Afro-Caribbean Quintet, including artists raised in diverse cultures from Haiti to Mexico, delivers a mix of Afro-Caribbean and jazz genres, exploring the wide-ranging musical energy of the African diaspora. The ensemble also features Jeff Pierre on percussion/drums, Julio de la Cruz on bass, Miguelito Martinez on flute, and Einar “Tito” Leliebre on vocals and bongo. Tickets are priced at $40 and the event lasts for 130 minutes. Box office phone: 707-963-9779.
On Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. the Wizards of Elixirs competition returns to the Main Gallery at the Napa Valley Museum at 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville, sponsored by Charbay Distillery, The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley and the museum. Bartenders from Wine Country’s top establishments, including the Hollywood Room, Ox & the Fox and others will compete for the People’s Choice Award. Attendees can expect to sample a variety of competition cocktails, partake in a raffle and purchase food from on-site food trucks. Tickets for the event include cocktail tastings and one raffle ticket, with additional raffle tickets available for purchase. Best Halloween costumes will also win a prize. The event will be held indoors within the “Tiki Dreams” exhibition. For more information, visit napavalleymuseum.org or call the museum at 707-944-0500.
Napa High Choral Boosters present “An Evening of Wine and Song,” 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 3 at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center. A fundraising event for choral music in our public schools. Tickets are $75 and available here.
Grgich Hills Estate's annual Festival of the Bells will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 3 at CIA Copia, 500 First St. in Napa. The event is in support of the outstanding work being done by Roots of Peace to support farmers in war-torn lands while combatting climate change. The event consists of two parts; the first titled “Symposium: Cultivating Peace Through Agriculture,” in which distinguished experts from around the world, including Nobel prize laureates and diplomats, will convene in support of farmers as they strive to nourish their communities in the face of expanding global challenges. The second part is “Ring Out! Celebratory Lunch and Live Auction.” Following the panel, attendees enjoy a celebratory luncheon of multicultural food, dancing, music, and a live auction supporting farmers and agricultural workers impacted by war. Tickets are $150 per person. Those interested in attending can call (707) 963-2784, email festivalofthebells@grgich.com or visit our website.
“Feed Your Soul – A Daylong Wellness Retreat in Wine Country” will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 at Harvest Inn, 1 Main St. in St. Helena. Cultivate a full day of relaxation and renewal while soaking up exquisite vineyard views alongside the glorious Mayacamas Mountains. Harvest Inn provides an idyllic oasis amid vineyards, mountains and redwoods — your perfect destination for a full day of wellness activities curated to nurture your soul. The cost for the full day-long retreat is $175 per person and includes rental yoga mats (or you’re welcome to bring your own), beverages, lunch and a mindful wine tasting experience. The Feed Your Soul daylong retreat will be led by yoga/meditation teacher and wine expert, Tamara Stanfill, of PartOfTheSOULution.com. Space is limited so RSVP early to guarantee your place here.
The 29th Annual Angel Bazaar fundraiser, hosted by Napa’s St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 12, at 3700 Lassen St. in Napa. You will find gorgeous themed baskets, a silent auction that includes high-end Napa Valley wines and some fun surprises. Get a jump start on your Christmas, Hanukkah and other gifts for family and friends. You might even find something special for yourself. Take a break to enjoy some goodies and coffee or tea at the Heavenly Café or get something from the food truck to sustain your shopping energy. Admission is free.
Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau 2023! Alliance Française de Napa Valley and Outer Space Wines invite you to take a tasting tour of France (with a nod to Nouveau) from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at Outer Space Wines, 974 Franklin St. in Napa. Dan Dawson, owner of Outer Space, will take you on the best tasting tour in the galaxy — beginning with a Nouveau from the venerable Georges DuBoeuf, then venturing into other parts of Beaujolais and beyond! Come savor a grand French tradition and explore delectable offerings from La Belle France. Tickets are $30 for AF Napa members and $40 for non-members. To purchase tickets, go here. Questions? Contact Sally Seymour at sallyseymour@mac.com.
The Rotary Club of Calistoga will host its 83rd Annual Calistoga Community Bingo Night on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Boys and Girls Club located at 1401 North Oak St. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the games kick off at 6 p.m. Keegan Barrett will serve as the Bingo caller for the evening, which also features raffles, silent auctions and casual food and drinks available for purchase. The cost to play all 12 games is $40 for the first Bingo packet and seating is limited to 300; therefore, advance reservations by purchasing the first Bingo packet are recommended. All packets will be available for pickup at the will call table on the day of the event. Email bobbifrioli@gmail.com for more info.
Yountville’s Community Thanksgiving 2023 is set for Wednesday, Nov. 22 for prep and setup and Thursday, Nov. 23 for the main event that includes setup, delivery service and cleanup. The event will consist of home deliveries and a sit-down lunch that relies on donations and volunteer efforts for food, wine and monetary contributions. The event aims to bring the community together during the holiday season and is seeking contributions ranging from home-cooked cranberry sauce, hors d’oeuvres and desserts to larger donations from restaurants and businesses such as turkey, vegetables, stuffing and more. Monetary donations may be made out to the Yountville Community Foundation. Special information: This is a community event and not a town-sponsored occasion. Please direct all questions, reservations or donations to Jeff Durham to streamline the process. For further details or to contribute, email him at jeff@theyountvillian.com or text 415-706-6011.
The first annual Cameo Day will take place on Monday, Nov. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Cameo Cinema, 1340 Main St. in St. Helena. The event is focused on promoting the mission of the Cameo Cinema and aims to familiarize attendees with upcoming 2024 programming. Guests can meet board members of the Cameo Cinema Foundation and enjoy complimentary popcorn and fountain drinks. Admission is free and no tickets or reservations are necessary. Contributions to the 2023 Annual Fundraising Campaign made during the event will be acknowledged with a movie pass and a Cameo button. Budget-friendly monthly pledges are encouraged as a sustainable way to support the cinema's diverse array of programs. For more details, contact the Cameo Cinema Foundation at info@cameocinema.com or visit their website.
How can you have forgotten to add the St. Helena Harvest Festival on Saturday to this weekend's events? It's the largest event of the year there!?????
How did you overlook the most anticipated annual event in St. Helena? Tomorrow's (Saturday) Annual Pet Parade? That's like forgetting Halloween!