Festival Napa Valley By Kacy Shaw | Photos courtesy of Festival Napa Valley
Celebrate the “10 Best Days of Summer” at Festival Napa Valley, the annual event that blends the beauty and bounty of Napa with the very finest performing arts staged in iconic Napa Valley venues. Producing spectacular concerts and lavish events that are dedicated to keeping the arts alive in the community, Festival Napa Valley draws 12,000 people annually to enjoy and celebrate, with events such as Opera Under the Stars at Meadowood and Taste of Napa, which brings together over 70 local wineries, restaurants, and top artisans to offer visitors some of Napa’s most sought-after wines and delicious fare to sample as they enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, Napa sunshine, and live music. Having attracted the likes of Sophia Loren, Bill Murray, Kristin Chenoweth, and more, Festival Napa Valley’s fourteenth season will take place July 12 through 21, and will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing with more than 60 concerts and events in a season of innovation, exploration, and discovery.
A rich program that ranges from symphonic concerts, opera, chamber music, and jazz to film and dance, some of this season’s highlights include four-time Grammy Award winner Seal headlining Wine Country’s biggest arts charity event, the Arts for All Gala at HALL Napa Valley, British cellist Sheku KannehMason, who performed at the Royal Wedding, making his Bay Area debut with the Havana Chamber Orchestra at Far Niente, a private evening at Calistoga Ranch with Broadway legend Patti LuPone, and Festival Orchestra Napa performing John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score to Star Wars: A New Hope while the iconic 1977 film is projected on a giant screen. A Patron Pass will allow you unrivaled access to all events, artist meet-andgreets, exclusive lunches, and preferred seating at Patron dinners. Each Patron Pass also helps underwrite affordable Festival Napa Valley concert tickets for seniors, veterans, and families. To view the full schedule and purchase passes, visit FestivalNapaValley.org.