Hey Napa,

It’s a short week, so this issue is a little more bite-sized than usual (blame the grilled corn and rosé), but I’ve packed it with can’t-miss events, food worth ditching your grill plans for, and a few ways to keep the weekend vibes rolling into next week.

Scroll on for what’s happening now in and around Napa. Catch you at the drone show.

— Kristy

From parade burritos to post-drone dance parties, Napa’s got your red, white, and woo-hoo covered. Here’s how to make the most of your stars-and-stripes Thursday, hour by hour.

4 | Friday Night Car Meet @ In-in-Out Parking Lot | Pull up, nerd out, and vibe with Napa’s lowkey underground classic car scene. No ticket needed, just respect and a love of horsepower. | FREE | 5PM-7PM

7 | Wreck-It-Ralph Movie Night @ NVL | A family favorite that still hits. Come for the nostalgia, stay for the air conditioning and the joy of watching your kid fall in love with the arcade. | FREE | 5PM

9 | Lotaria Night @ Mother’s Tacos | Game for a good cause. All proceeds raised from your abuela’s favorite pastime goes to 10,000 Degrees, helping first-gen students make it to college. | Bring $ For Beans | 6PM-8PM

9 | Japanese Street Food Nights @ Cliff Family Winery | Get your umami fix with a special themed menu running alongside the usual Bruschetteria Food Truck delights. Plus $10 glasses of wine from 4PM-7PM and you’re gonna have to wheel me outta there. Order early and eat there. They sell out. | FREE Entry | 1130AM-7PM
9 | Meet Me in the Street @ American Canyon | A full-on block party with food trucks, live music, and bounce houses. Basically your summer starter pack in one stop. | FREE | 5PM-8PM

5 | Music and Wellness Symposium @ CIA at Copia | What do music, mental health, and food have in common? Find out at this thoughtful day of performances, panel convos, and connection. Bonus: it’s hosted by Napa’s own Jayna Brown. | $50 | 1030AM-430PM
5 | Vanessa Crudmore @ Copperfields | A local author talk you’ll actually want to attend. Crudmore shares her latest series about friendship, freedom, and the kind of summer that changes everything. | FREE | 12PM

7 | Acting Workshop @ UpStage Napa Valley | Your inner thespian is begging for stage time. Learn techniques, build confidence, and maybe prep for that community theater audition you keep pretending not to consider. | $100 | 6PM-8PM

9 | Lord Huron Listening Party @ Folklore | Get your first listen to the latest album, The Cosmic Selector vol. 1, and win some cool prizes while you’re there. | FREE | 5PM

8| History Happy Hour @ Yountville Community Center | Happy hour + weird Napa facts = your new favorite combo. Mingle with fellow history nerds and hear stories you definitely won’t find in your kid’s textbook. | FREE | 4PM

7-12 | Rooted in Action Week | Napa RCD and Napa County delivered a full schedule and action plan for a week of change. Think: reducing food waste, river clean-ups, container gardening, and more. | FREE | All Day, Everyday

FRI | 5 | Weekly Protest @ Soscol & 3rd | When local voices speak up, it means big change. Bring your sign and your sunscreen. | FREE | 5PM

SUN | 7 | Free Sundays @ Redwood Park n Ride | Bring what you can, take what you need. | FREE | 12PM

3 | Noetic Pause @ Oxbow Commons |
3 | Jacob Phillip Benning @ Sky & Vine | 5PM
3 | The Victoria George Trio @ Tonewood & Courage | 6PM
3 | The Get Down Vinyl Night @ Blue Note | 630PM
3 | On the Mic @ Barnhouse | 7PM

5 | Monica & Chad @ Yountville Community Center | 4PM
5 | Chance McCauley @ Levendi | 7PM
5 | Ryan Goodcase @ The Garden | 8PM
5 | Sean Carscadden Trio @ Blue Note | 8PM
5 | Soul’d Out @ Jam Cellars | 9PM
5 | DJ Los @ 1331 Cocktails | 930PM

6 | Michelle Lambert @ The Yard | 1PM
6 | Drive @ Trade Brewing | 4PM
6 | Drum Circle @ The Yard | 4PM
6 | Monica de Silva @ Sky & Vine | 5PM
6 | David Correa @ The Garden | 5PM
6 | Ariel Marin @ The Fink | 6PM
6 | Shane Soldinger @ Silverado Mansion | 6PM
6 | Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs @ Tonewood & Courage | 630PM

8 | Andrea Barrera @ The Garden | 330PM
8 | Jimmy Duhig @ The Fink | 8PM

9 | Locals Night: Invincible Star Jazz @ Blue Note | 730PM
9 | Deep Basement Shakers @ The Fink | 730PM

Broadway & Vine Music Series @ Various Locations | JUN-OCT | Check schedule and times
Pop-Up Art Series @ Oxbow Market | JUL-AUG | Rotating artists, check schedule and times
Festival Napa Valley @ Various Locations | JUL 5-20 | Check schedule and times
Music in the Vineyards @ Various Locations | AUG | Check schedule and times

MONDAYS
Storytime @ Napa Bookmine | 10AM
Drop-In Wellness Workshops @ Mentis Wellness Campus | 2PM-5PM
Movie Mondays @ The Garden | 7PM
Karaoke @ Downtown Joes | 830PM

TUESDAYS
Farmers Market @ Downtown | 8AM-12PM
Karaoke @ Downtown Joes | 830PM

WEDNESDAYS
Kids Eat Free @ Downtown Joes | 8AM-1AM
Bingo @ Trade Brewing | 5PM

THURSDAYS
First Thursdays @ Oxbow Commons | Through October | 5PM-9PM

FRIDAYS
Storytime @ Napa Bookmine | 10AM
Fried Chicken Friday @ Southside | Order on THURS
Fried Chicken @ Addendum | FRI-SUN
Orin Swift Industry Night @ Orin Swift | 5PM-7PM

SATURDAYS
Farmers Market @ Downtown | 8AM-12PM
Lobster Rolls @ Heritage Eats | SAT-SUN

SUNDAYS
Sunday Series @ Juniper Station | 10AM-2PM 
R&B Soul Food Sunday Brunch @ Lil Sista’s Goody’s Soul Food | 11AM
Sunday Spins @ Jam Cellars | 2PM-5PM
Sundays in the Park @ Yountville Vets Park | Through AUG 24 | 5PM-7PM

11-13 | NASCAR @ Sonoma Raceway | Fast cars. Loud engines. Questionable fashion. What’s not to love? NASCAR takes over Sonoma Raceway for a weekend of high-speed thrills, tailgates, and maybe a little too much Bud Light. | $85+ | 10AM-7PM

13 | Violent Femmes @ The Meritage | Blister in the summer heat with one of the most iconic alt-rock bands of the ’80s. Grab a lawn chair, a cocktail, and scream-sing “Why can’t I get just one kiss?” into the Napa night. | $60+ | 7PM

19 | Summer Moon Festival @ RD Winery | RD’s beloved summer bash is back with wine, Vietnamese street food, local makers, and live music under the moonlight. | $53 | 12PM
19 | Yountville Table @ The Estate Yountville Pavilion | A 200-foot table, a multi-course wine-paired feast, and a backdrop so picturesque it hurts. | $250+ | 6PM

20 | Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon @ Cuvaison | For people who like running with wine on their mind. This scenic race winds through the hills and ends with a full-blown wine and music festival in Sonoma. You earned that glass (or three). | $220 | 7AM

25 | Yountville Camp Out @ Yountville Community Park | Pitch a tent, roast some s’mores, and let the kids run wild at Yountville’s annual campout that’s part family fun night, part small-town summer dream. | $25 | Starting at 4PM
25 | Hot Havana Nights @ Castillo di Amorosa | Salsa your way into the Valley’s spiciest summer party. With live Cuban music, hand-rolled cigars, and plenty of big bold reds, it’s Napa meets Havana in the most extra way possible. | $275 | 6PM

Fried chicken is everywhere right now. On Friday-only menus, tucked inside waffles, plated with caviar, handed to you from the side of a truck. Some versions lean classic, others riff on Korean influences. It’s clearly having a moment.

And I don’t think it’s just about being crispy and craveable. Get the whole story and a list of places to get your comfort fix by clicking the button below.

Crispy pollo a la brasa with house-made sauces, citrusy ceviche, and wok-fired lomo saltado — the latest addition to Riverpark Center, El Patrón Rotisserie is serving up comforting Peruvian classics.

Whether you go traditional or adventurous (hello, Salchipatrón), it looks like a flavor-packed trip to Lima, no plane ticket required.

It sold out in under an hour, but the real story isn’t about Meghan. It’s about how today’s wines are branded first, bottled second. Inside the luxe, label-driven world of custom crush and celebrity bottles.

If you like what you see, please consider forwarding to a friend or two and hitting me with your feedback. I’d love to hear from you!

Cheers,

Kristy