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As San Francisco Opera celebrates its centennial and the San Francisco Symphony approaches its 112th season, a “mere two decades” seems like a short span of time, yet for Festival Napa Valley, it means a host of rich memories. 

An arts festival provides music lovers with a rare opportunity to make cultural discoveries in the company of other enthusiasts. Few environments compare with the guest experience at Festival Napa Valley, the annual two-week celebration that unfolds in the idyllic Napa Valley – known equally for exceptional programming and approachable ticket pricing.

Writer Laurence Vittes explores a wide array of music al fresco while enjoying fine food and, of course, the local wine at the region’s flagship festival, Festival Napa Valley. The festival was easy to attend, as tickets for garden chairs on the expansive lawn were $35.

The Spanish guitarist, who will join Carrie Underwood and others at Festival Napa Valley in July, talks about wine, music and his festival in Rioja. To Sáinz-Villegas, music and wine are part of the same emotional landscape: "The sophistication of classical music is very much like the sophistication of a good wine. Both put you in touch with many different levels of yourself, and they're great ways to inspire people and bring them together."

Festival Napa Valley presented a sensational Olivia Decker Power of Music concert by the Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) at the Palace Hotel San Francisco on April 22. The evening included a reception hosted by Olivia Decker, Palace Hotel General Manager Angie Clifton, and Festival Napa Valley president Rick Walker, featuring fine wines from Grgich Hills Estate.

Festival Napa Valley is pleased to announce the appointment of David Shimmon to its Board of Directors. California wine country’s flagship festival is the largest nonprofit cultural institution in Napa County, with a mission to make the arts accessible to all.

Former Mariinsky Ballet principal dancer Xander Parish will direct the upcoming dance gala at Festival Napa Valley on July 21, 2023 which features Ukrainian and Russian ballet dancers displaced by the war.

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood will headline this summer’s Festival Napa Valley. The Grammy-winning artist, who rose to fame after winning the 2005 season of “American Idol,” is one of several internationally known performers, chefs, winemakers and others who will appear during the 17th annual festival’s lineup of events, July 8-23.