With Napa Valley’s well known ideal climate for growing grapes and enjoying outdoor activities, there’s no better way to spend an evening than listening to your favorite musicians. Open-air concerts come in a variety of options, from large-scale music festivals to small-town band nights, intimate lounge-style acts to one-of-a-kind outdoor winery stages.
Here’s a rundown of the concerts and live music coming up in 2023 over the summer and into early fall.
Outdoor Venues
Oxbow RiverStage
Napa Valley has several other large-format concert programs throughout the summer every year.
With scenic views of the Napa River and the rolling hills, the Oxbow RiverStage provides music lovers a great option to see exceptional artists perform live. Blue Note Entertainment Group and Another Planet Entertainment have partnered together to fill the stage with about a half-dozen different musicians. Attendees have excellent options for food and beverages, with a selection of food trucks and wine vendors, along with the Oxbow Public Market being just steps away. So, get ready for this year’s outstanding performances and exquisite food. The 2023 lineup of shows include:
- Charlie Wilson with Chaka Khan on July 14
- Tycho Presents Golden States on July 15
- Train with Better Than Ezra on July 21
- Widespread Panic on August 25–27
- The Head And The Heart presents Down In The Valley on September 2-3
- Pixies and Modest Mouse on September 15
Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions
The Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions offers luxury accommodations and an ideal setting for live performances. This year’s summer series takes place at The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa and the outdoor events start in May and run all throughout summer. Some of the outstanding performers in 2023 include:
- Don McLean on June 2
- Rufus Wainwright on June 4
- Tower of Power on June 11
- St. Paul and The Broken Bones on June 18
- Judy Collins on July 7
- Dave Koz on July 8–9
- Marlon Wayans on July 15
- Andrew Bird on July 23
- Belinda Carlisle on August 18
- Three Dog Night on September 22
- many more
Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions at The Meritage Resort
Special Outdoor Music Events
Napa Valley hosts several special outdoor music events every year, as well – multiday programs extend and amplify the appreciation of music and culture throughout Napa Valley.
Festival Napa Valley
Festival Napa Valley is comprised of exceptional performances that are paired with unparalleled food, wine, and unforgettable memories, all held at various locations throughout Napa Valley, including under the stars at locations like the amphitheater at The CIA at Copia. In 2023, Festival Napa Valley headliners will feature Matteo Bocelli performing at Charles Krug Winery, Carrie Underwood will headline at the Arts for All Gala at Nickel & Nickel, and Lester Lynch and Kevin Korth will perform a recital at The CIA at Copia.
Blue Note Jazz Festival
This year’s Blue Note Jazz Festival will feature some well-known performers along with some up-and-coming artists. Comedian Dave Chappelle is scheduled to host this three-day festival held at the Silverado Resort on July 28–30. Some of the artists that are set to perform include – Chance The Rapper, Nas, Mary J. Blige, Big Freedia, BJ The Chicago Kid, Ari Lennox, NxWorries, George Clinton, Smino, Talib Kweli & Madlib, and more.
This year’s event promises to be even more fun than last! If you get enough partying done at the festival, hit one of the fun-filled after parties. All official afterparties will take place at the Silverado Resort and will go until 2AM. Each night will feature an amazing DJ. Make sure to get your tickets to the official afterparties!
Celebrate the culture, experience, and the vibrant music that the Blue Note Jazz festival brings to the community.
Broadway & Vine
Summertime in Napa Valley is where world-class Broadway talent intersects with world-class wine. Experience the voices of Broadway paired with wine and phenomenal cuisine during this Summer-long series. The Broadway & Vine series showcases emerging artists, Tony Award winners, and hit TV stars performing at wineries throughout Napa Valley and feature up-close performances.
- Tituss Burgess at Tre Posti on June 27
- Natalie Tenenbaum at Meadowood Resort on June 28
- Darren Criss at Carneros Resort on July 28
- Sutton Foster at a Napa Valley Vineyard Estate on August 2
- Erika Henningsen at Tre Posti on August 16
- Natalie Tenenbaum at Estate Yountville on August 17
- Brooke Shields at a Napa Valley Vineyard Estate on August 29
- Julian Ovenden at Tre Posti on September 26
Town Concert Series
Many of the towns in Napa Valley host localized performances in scenic parks throughout summertime. These outdoor concert series are hometown favorites with grassroots ties attract both locals and visitors to the region.
Calistoga
Thursday nights are meant for listening to live music at Calistoga’s Pioneer Park. The summertime Calistoga Concerts in the Park program kicks off in June. Attendees can bring their own wines, picnic dinners, or purchase local beers and wines from one of the vendors.
St. Helena
Lyman Park in St. Helena is bumping fun tunes on Wednesdays, every week in July. From 6pm – 8pm, the St. Helena Summer Concerts "Napa Valley's Big Little Stage," takes place under the gazebo, where visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, and picnics. Another great option is to get a take-out meal from one of the local restaurants on concert night!
Yountville
Yountville’s Summer Music in the Park is where music lovers bring their comfy blankets and lawn chairs to Veterans Memorial Park and listen to local bands play under a gazebo. The concerts are held every other week from June 11 – September 10. Different bands and food trucks are scheduled for each week.
Downtown Napa
A summer tradition in Napa Valley and possibly the most bustling of the concert series takes place every Friday in July in Downtown Napa. The adored Napa Friday Nights in the Park summer concerts take place in Veterans Memorial Park along the Napa River. This crowd-pleaser of a show attracts a good crowd. With live music as the sun sets, be sure to bring a picnic dinner…and don’t forget the wine!
Other Venues with Music
Music in the Vineyards
Another option for great live music across numerous different at various Napa Valley wineries is the Music in the Vineyards series. Running for three weeks this event will feature artists from around the world coupled with complimentary wine tastings set against the stunning vistas of Napa Valley.
Indoor Venues
In addition to outdoor venues, Napa Valley is a great place to see live music indoors as well. We can’t forget some of our noteworthy venues that bring some well-known big-name acts that perform year-round at these venues, all located in downtown Napa:
Wineries, Hotels, Restaurants
Many wineries, hotels, and restaurants have live music nights, as well. Among the best:
- JaM Cellars JaM Sessions (Thursdays – Saturdays)
- Busters Southern BBQ live jazz & blues (Sundays)
- Merryvale Vineyards music on the terrace (1st & 3rd Fridays)
- Picayune Cellars live music (Fridays)
- Andaz Napa live music (Wednesdays & Saturdays)
- FARM Pavilion at Carneros live music (Sundays – Thursdays)
- Embassy Suites live music (Tuesdays)
- ALBA Restaurant at River Terrace Inn live music (Fridays & Saturdays)
BottleRock
What started almost 10 years ago, has grown to be the largest and most well-known three-day live music, wine, food, and brew festival in Napa Valley.
BottleRock Napa Valley, will be held at the Napa Valley Expo in downtown Napa, on Memorial Day weekend (May 26–28). Doors will open at 11:30am and approximately 120,000 patrons will make their way through on Memorial Day Weekend.
As usual, the lineup is stacked with some of the biggest names in the music business – this year's headliners are Post Malone, Lizzo, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins, Duran Duran, Lil Nas X, Billy Strings, Leon Bridges, Wu-Tang Clan, and many more. Each year the show has multiple stages, all with different set times, and different genres.
BottleRock is a festival filled not only with exceptional music but also exceptional food and wine, as dozens of Napa Valley top restaurateurs and wineries put out their best all in one location! Some of these include Zuzu, Osha Thai, Silverado Vineyards, Caymus Vineyards, Jam Cellars, Mustards, Cooked by Gio, Compline Restaurant, Goose & Gander, Torc, and more. Residents of Napa Valley and the surrounding area have a lot of love and appreciation for what this festival brings to the community.
If world-class wines, top-tier cuisine, luxurious spas, and pristine hotels and inns were not reason enough to bring you to Napa Valley, then the music and arts sure will. The incredible world-class artists and performers that pass though Napa Valley, in summertime and throughout the year, have just made your reasons to visit even more compelling. You’re welcome!
