It’s Memorial Day weekend, and you want to come to beautiful Napa Valley to spend three days soaking up the summer sun and sipping some wine. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s some things you should know.

BottleRock Music Festival

The BottleRock Napa Valley music festival, now in its 11th year, takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Napa Valley Expo grounds in the City of Napa. This 3-day music festival features multiple stages with an impressive lineup of music, delicious food, and a wide selection of Napa Valley wines. This means that the City of Napa and surrounding areas will be busy with festival-goers.

What to Expect During BottleRock Weekend

Weekend Traffic
If you're headed to Napa Valley for the Memorial Day weekend, be ready for increased traffic on the roads leading to the valley. Parking will also be more difficult in the Downtown Napa area close to the festival venue. If you are driving in for the day, be sure to get to the event early so you have time to find parking. Shuttles to and from the venue are also available at many locations throughout the Bay Area for ticket holders.

If you're not going to BottleRock, it's a great time to head to wineries and restaurants up-valley – in Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga – where the traffic will be lighter.

Weekend Lodging
Be aware that lodging may book up quickly during the weekend, especially near the festival venue in the City of Napa. Be sure to make reservations for lodging and dining well in advance.

Food and Drink in Downtown Napa
If you're looking for a place to eat before you head in to the venue, Downtown Napa has plenty of fantastic options. Some take reservations, if you want to make sure you have a table.

What's Open Late? Find Restaurants and Bars Open After BottleRock Ends


BottleRock After Dark Shows
If you can’t score tickets to the festival but still want to enjoy some of the same artists that are performing at BottleRock, check out the BottleRock AfterDark shows at JaM Cellars Ballroom and The Garden in Downtown Napa.

  • Thursday, May 23: Miike Snow with Akira Galaxy at JaM Cellars Ballroom
  • Thursday, May 23: Chris Shiflett with Grace Bowers at The Garden
  • Friday, May 24: Cold War Kids with Mondo Cozmo at JaM Cellars Ballroom
  • Friday, May 24: The Record Company with Forrest Day at The Garden
  • Saturday, May 25: Norah Jones at Uptown Theatre
  • Saturday, May 25: Chevy Metal with The Alive at JaM Cellars Ballroom
  • Saturday, May 25: Con Brio with The Takes at The Garden
  • Sunday, May 26: St. Vincent with Momma at JaM Cellars Ballroom
  • Sunday, May 26: The Wailers with Jakobs Castle at The Garden
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Unofficial BottleRock Pre- and Post-Parties
Head to Downtown Napa before and after BottleRock each day for some music and wine events to get you ready for the festival.

  • Arch & Tower – The Robert Mondavi tasting room will be open for Festival Features on Friday from 11am to 7pm and Saturday & Sunday from 11am to 3pm for a glass of wine and bite.

  • Be Bubbly – "BubbleRock" kickoff and after parties on Friday and Saturday, including Friday's BubbleRock Kickoff with DJ Jerry Ross from 11am to 3pm and BubbleRock Afterparty with DJ HiC from 10pm to 1am, and Saturday's BubbleRock Boozy Brunch with DJ Carl Jay from 11am to 2pm and Disco BubbleRock Party with DJ Flamingeaux from 11am to 2pm.

  • Cadet Wine + Beer Bar – Cadet will be open from 5pm to 2am on Friday for BottleRock After Party with DJ Mark Maiden and on Saturday for BottleRock After Party with DJ Trakstar.

  • Compline Wine Shop – Compline hosts Turntable Trivia – the BottleRock Edition on Thursday from 7:30pm to 9pm, with four rounds of trivia featuring artists playing the festival. The winner takes home a bottle of their choice ($50 and under) from the shop.

  • Wilfred's Lounge – Salty Sunday Productions hosts BottleRock After Hours parties on Friday and Saturday from 9:30pm to 2am at Wilfred's Lounge on the Napa Riverfront.

 

Not headed to BottleRock? Don’t despair!

There’s still so much to do Memorial Day weekend. Avoid the crowds and head up-valley to the towns of Calistoga, St. Helena, and Yountville for a wine tasting, a leisurely meal, or a spa day.

Weekend Events

Head out of Downtown Napa for a few events this weekend:

Kick Off BottleRock Weekend
@ Cuvaison
Thursday, May 23
Kick off Napa's biggest music festival with live music, fine wine, and delicious dining at Cuvaison. The evening features live music from local singer-songwriter Greg Lamboy and savory delights from our food truck partner.

Memorial Day at the Museum
@ Napa Valley Museum Yountville
Saturday, May 25 – Sunday, May 26
Celebrate America with Napa Valley Museum Yountville's exhibitions “Warrior Dogs” and “Pollyanna Valley.” From 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, children under 10 can enjoy free ice cream, and the whole family can enjoy music and a scavenger hunt.

Memorial Day Weekend Party
@ RD Winery
Sunday, May 26
Enjoy live music from the Jammin' Fil-Ams! Celebrate AAPI month and Memorial Day weekend at RD Winery with a glass of wine on our patio while listening to this fun band.
 

Wine Tasting in the Heart of Napa Valley

Prefer to stick to wine? Check out wineries located in Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga – areas known for warm sunshine and cool evenings. Book ahead to taste at some legendary Napa Valley wineries. Here's just a few:





Spas in Calistoga

If your weekend plans are more focused on spas than festivals, Calistoga is the place for you. They have a myriad of mud baths and mineral pools where you can get some rest & relaxation and soak in the beautiful weather. Here's some of our favorites:





Shopping in St. Helena

Prefer to shop until you drop? Stroll St. Helena’s Main Street to browse their collection of boutiques and stores.

Then drop in for a tasting at Orin Swift Cellars, a sophisticated and edgy space with luscious wines, or the new JCB St. Helena, a decadent wine lounge for the most prestigious wines from Jean-Charles Boisset.

Or, head a little further south of downtown St. Helena to Whitehall Lane Winery and spend time wine tasting on the brand new Estate Garden Pavilion, with views of the estate vineyards and Mayacamas Mountains as the backdrop.





Culinary in Yountville

If your preferences are more of the epicurean variety, Yountville is the place to be. Try one of Yountville restaurants:






No matter what you’re seeking, Napa Valley has something for you this Memorial Day weekend.