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Two decades ago this July, the strains of Mozart wafting from Joshua Bell’s violin inaugurated the experience now known as Festival Napa Valley. The ensuing week of performances, dinners and parties paired classical music with regional food and wine to great effect. The festival sought to define Napa Valley as a cultural destination to match Napa’s world-class wine, and well it has.

A legendary wine competition, Napa Valley, and opera may not sound like they belong in the same sentence. Inspired by the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris wine tasting that changed California wine forever, this new opera is bringing one of the state's most iconic moments to the stage.

From Shakespeare in the redwoods to avant-garde dance in downtown San Francisco, the Bay Area's summer arts calendar is packed with performances that surprise, provoke and delight. This season's highlights include world-premiere theater, bold contemporary opera and major musical celebrations, alongside intimate storytelling events and large-scale spectacles.

The trumpeter, composer and cultural force headlines the festival’s 20th anniversary kickoff on July 12 at the Nickel & Nickel winery, setting the tone for a season built on music with meaning.

From July 4 to 19, Festival Napa Valley trumpets its 20th anniversary with an ongoing feast for the senses during the 16-day performing arts and culinary celebration. Featuring more than 200 international musicians, these “best days of summer” are held amid exclusive venues, five-star resorts, and exquisite vineyard estates dotting this verdant valley.

Paul Riley picks out some of the best classical music festivals to look out for in the USA and Canada in 2026

Dinners and luncheons in idyllic wine country venues set the stage for a rich blend of musical and cultural offerings. The Festival’s lineup features such major names as soprano Renée Fleming, trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis, and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

Festival Napa Valley has announced the election of Peter Mondavi Jr., third-generation co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery, to its Board of Directors.

Festival Napa Valley, held every summer in Northern California’s gorgeous Napa Valley, has become one of the world’s premier festivals, attracting visitors from near and far. This year, Festival Napa Valley’s 20th anniversary Summer Season promises to be better than ever with the ultimate pairing of world-class artistry, amazing food and exquisite wines tucked within the valley’s most picturesque vineyards, running from July 4–19.