The Real Star of Napa Valley This Summer? Outdoor Movie Nights

Forget the multiplex. In Napa Valley, the best seat in the house this summer might be a picnic blanket on the grass, a borrowed lawn chair in a town square, or a seat between the vines at a local winery. Across the valley, summer movie nights are popping up everywhere, each one offering something that’s increasingly hard to find: a reason to stay a little longer, slow down, and share space with your neighbors.

It’s not about the movie (though they’re good, too). It’s about the warm night air, the small talk with strangers, the familiar food truck smells, and the communal exhale of a town settling in for a story under the stars. Pick your place and date and settle in for a good time.

This one’s for the luxe-lifestyle lovers but in a chill, “I live here” way. Once a month, O’Brien Estate transforms its back lawn into a cozy theater under the vines. You can see Chocolat (July 5) paired with a half-carafe of their estate wine and gourmet movie treats for $50. Bring a blanket, snuggle up, and enjoy vineyard vibes that feel like a summer dream come true.

On summer nights, Yountville Community Park becomes the valley’s most charming outdoor theater. Kids weave between picnic blankets, food trucks circle the park, and locals arrive early to claim their spots under a fading sun. The lineup leans family-friendly with Ratatouille (June 27), Inside Out 2 (July 25 with the bonus of Yountville’s Annual Camp Out happening the same night!), but the vibe is for everyone. Bring your favorite bottle, a low chair, and someone who won’t mind you quoting the movie.

This is the grown-up version of a drive-in, minus the cars, plus a vineyard. Goosecross sets up their screen right next to the vines, and the $40 ticket includes a full dinner and glass of estate wine which makes it more like a backyard dinner party with twinkle lights overhead and cult classics on the screen, like Knives Out (July 12) and The Goonies (Aug 9).

If Napa Valley had a Nancy Meyers version of movie night, this would be it. On Fridays, the elegant town square at Carneros Resort transforms into a resort-chic screening space with ambient lighting, manicured pathways, and glasses of wine that somehow taste better under the stars. It’s laid-back luxury at its finest. No ticket required.

Downtown Calistoga’s Mount View Hotel & Spa now hosts The Moonshine, an outdoor theater in their courtyard. Expect classic movie weekends (Fri–Sun), antique chairs, blankets, and heaters. A warm, communal vibe where you can sip a cocktail from Chef Josh Mitchell, relive a rom-com or mystery, and feel fully on vacation (even if you’re just heading up valley).

And a few bonuses that include AC…

Midday movies aren’t usually part of the summer lineup, but The River Club makes it work. It’s casual, community-centered, and air-conditioned—a dream combo for anyone looking to escape the summer heat. With titles like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Jul 11), School of Rock (Jul 18), and Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Jul 25), the schedule leans nostalgic, and so does the setting: a no-frills rec space where the movies feel like an excuse to gather, snack, and stay a while.

The library isn’t just for readers. Their indoor summer movies are less about spectacle and more about slowing down. Air conditioning hums in the background, and the audience is a mix of old souls, young families, and teens discovering classics for the first time. If you’re tired and feel overstimulated, this is your place.