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 begin, here are some ideas to get you started.

BottleRock Music Festival

The BottleRock Napa Valley music festival, now in its 12th year, takes place during Memorial Day Weekend 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 the surrounding areas will be lively 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 challenging 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 into the venue, Downtown Napa has plenty of fantastic options:

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, The Uptown Theatre, and The Garden in Downtown Napa.

  • Thursday, May 22: E-40 at JaM Cellars Ballroom 
  • Thursday, May 22: Jakob’s Castle & Ultra Q at The Garden   
  • Friday, May 23: Allen Stone with Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge at The Uptown Theatre  
  • Friday, May 23: Sofi Tukker at JaM Cellars Ballroom 
  • Friday, May 23: G. Love & Donavon Frankenreiter with Makua at The Garden 
  • Saturday, May 24: The Coverups at JaM Cellars Ballroom 
  • Saturday, May 24: The War and Treaty with Mama Said at The Garden  
  • Saturday, May 24: Robby Krieger of The Doors with Moonalice at The Uptown Theatre 
  • Sunday, May 25: Chaparelle at The Garden 
  • Sunday, May 25: Linda Perry & Friends at The Uptown Theatre 

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.

  • Cadet Wine + Beer Bar  – Cadet will be open late for BottleRock After Parties with DJ Andrew Hypes (Justin Timberlake’s DJ) on Friday, DJ Trakstar on Saturday, and DJ Grey Young on Sunday. 
  • 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. 
  • Napa Yard  – Napa Yard will be hosting an unforgettable BottleRock after party, featuring live music and drink specials, all within walking distance from the concert. Entry is FREE and the party goes until 12am. 

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:

Acoustic Fridays at Cuvaison – A Wine Tasting Experience 
@ Cuvaison 
Friday, May 23 
Kick off your weekend with Acoustic Fridays at Cuvaison, by enjoying a selection of their handcrafted wines, a serene sunset and acoustic music. This intimate tasting experience is the perfect way to unwind and savor the beauty of the estate. 

Boba & Beats 
@ RD Winery 
Saturday, May 24 
Enjoy live music from The Jammin’ Fil-Ams and Boba from Valley Boba at RD Winery. The perfect pair! Wine, food, and boba available for purchase. Get your groove on. 

Treasure Hunt 
@ Robert Louis Stevenson Museum 
Saturday, May 24  
Join the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum for their Annual Treasure Hunt, inspired by Stevenson’s beloved pirate classic, Treasure Island. This family-friendly adventure is your chance to follow clues, explore the town, and uncover the treasure! 

Perfect for a Memorial Day weekend outing, the Treasure Hunt offers a fun and interactive way to discover downtown St. Helena. Pirate costumes are highly encouraged, so don your best tricorn hat, eye patch, or parrot companion, and get ready to set sail on an unforgettable journey! 

Share & Pair: Sip and Sizzle: Global Grilling 
@ PEJU Winery 
Sunday, May 25 
Head to PEJU Winery for a lively series where they explore how delicious—and unexpected—pairings of wine and food bring people together across cultures and traditions. Dive into unique grilling techniques and flavors from around the world and  watch as Winery Chefs Nic and David prepare global grilled favorites. Then savor a relaxed walkaround pairing featuring PEJU’s versatile, food-friendly wines. 

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 Historic Main Street Shopping District to browse a collection of boutiques and stores.

Then drop in for a tasting at Orin Swift Cellars, a sophisticated and edgy space with luscious wines, or 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 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.