Whether you’re in it for the grand gestures, the free churros, or the excuse to belt out angst-filled anthems at Emo Karaoke, this is a heavy-hitting week for the valley (hello, Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year). We’ve got legendary chefs taking over the Oxbow, big headliner announcements, and just enough lighted art left to make your evening walk feel cinematic.

I’m taking a brief hiatus for a pre-spring refresher, so I’ve curated a double-dose of events to carry you through the next fortnight. Peruse, plan, and play nice. I’ll be back in your inbox in a few weeks.

NEWS

A Legend Has It: Chef Martin Yan Kicks Off "Rotation"
This week, the highly anticipated Rotation officially opens its doors at Oxbow, and they aren’t starting small. To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the venue is launching with a heavyweight headliner: none other than the legendary Chef Martin Yan. For those who grew up with the iconic catchphrase "If Yan can cook, so can you!", this is a rare chance to see the Master Chef in action. The soft opening events on February 13th and 14th will feature curated tastings, live cooking demonstrations, and the unmistakable energy that has defined Chef Yan’s 40-year career. Hitting the kitchen next: Top Chef 22 winner, Tristan Epps.

La Onda Finally Drops the Lineup
If the BottleRock hangover isn’t quite enough for you, wait exactly five days. Festival La Onda just dropped its 2026 lineup and the headliners are, in a word, massive: Maná, J Balvin, Christian Nodal, and Ivan Cornejo, to name a few. It’s a tmix of legacy rock-en-español royalty and the reggaeton/música mexicana stars currently dominating your Spotify Global 50. The undercard is equally ambitious, featuring everyone from Los Tucanes de Tijuana (bring your dancing shoes) to Grupo Niche and the ska-inflected energy of Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. Grab your tickets this Friday 2/13 at Noon.

Pancha’s Is Back: The Dive That Refused to Die
In a town of white tablecloths and triple-digit tasting fees, Pancha’s has always been the essential palate cleanser. After a six-year hiatus, the valley’s most iconic dive bar has finally reopened its doors on Washington Street. Now under the stewardship of the family behind Ciccio, the new Pancha's feels remarkably like the old one, just with a much-needed upgrade. The legendary indoor smoking is gone, but the pool tables, the PBR, and the locals-only grit remain perfectly intact. It’s still the best place in the zip code to find a Michelin-starred chef hiding in a dark corner with a cheap beer.

EVENTS

Heads up: we’re OOO next week so here’s a full two-week roadmap. Don't forget to shop small, stay local, show some love to our community’s artists, and don’t drink and drive!

MAIN EVENTS

Valentine’s Day in Napa
Deeply in love? Happily solo? Just in it for the free churros? All valid. Breaking news: this weekend is paaaaacked. From creative workshops to prom parties that will no doubt be way better than the one you experienced in high school, we’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate Val- and Galentine's Day across the city.

Here is your official roadmap for the main event:

Get Crafty: Kick things off with a V-Day Planter Workshop over at Covet.
Get Lit: Bring your fave to a Kindled & Grounded Candle Making Workshop for two.
Double Header: Head to Vin En Noir for a Valentine’s Sip and Paint followed by their Books & Bottles book club. Honestly? Just stay all day.
Sweet Treats: If you need a snack break, Mother’s Tacos has free churros from 5PM-Close.
Social Butterfly: Single (or not) and ready to mingle? Head downtown for a V-Day pre-game bar crawl.
What’s more romantic than a V-Day date night cooking class at Playte?
The Main Gala: Ditch the high school trauma and get dressed up for the way-better-than-high-school prom party in the SoFi District. The Queen and King of the night will be crowned at Folklore’s Enchanted Under the Upside Down event.
Cozy Vibes: Staying in? Skip the reservation and grab a Valentine’s Lobster Kits from Heritage Eats. Get your pre-order in.
Late Night Sips: Keep the night going at Bitter Bar — they’ve got your Galentine’s cocktail specials or flirt with a stranger at 1331 Cocktails, open late.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAM

15 | Pet Photoshoots @ Alston Park | 9AM | Pay What You Can

18| Movie Night: Sinners @ Napa Library | 530PM-730PM | FREE

19 | Matinee Movie Classics: Cabin in the Sky @ Napa Library | 2PM-4PM | FREE

CREATIVE BLOCK

12 | Lindsey Stewart Author Talk @ Virtual NVL | 11AM-12PM | FREE

13 | Valentine’s Candle Making Experience @ Kindled & Grounded | 12PM-8PM | $130

18 | Book Club: Napa Historical Society @ Goodman Library | 6PM-7PM | FREE

21 | Vase Building Workshop @ Covet Napa | 10AM-1230PM | $125
21 | Art Lounge @ Lil Sista’s Goody’s | 7PM-9PM | $15+

ADULTS-ONLY

18 | Tarot With Brianna Darcy @ Decant | 6Pm-8PM | $5+

19 | Profs & Pints: The New Science of Attraction @ Napa Yard | 6PM | $15

21 | The Language of Coffee @ Decant | 12PM | $50

25 | Movie Club: About Time @ The River Club | 6PM | $20

COALITION CORNER

19 | Book Club: Colored Television @ Bookmine | 6PM-7PM | FREE

21 | Basic First Aid Training @ Napa CART | 830AM-1230PM | FREE

22 | Green Screenings @ Napa Library | 2PM-4PM | FREE

23 | Black History Tea Time @ Napa Library | 10AM-1230PM | FREE

LIVE MUSIC

12 | Musical Happy Hour @ Tonewood & Courage | 6PM
12 | Arraine Del @ The Fink | 730PM

13 | Ke’Lee B @ The Mansion | 6PM
13 | The Rivertown Blues Society @ Tonewood & Courage | 7PM
13 | Henry Cho @ The Uptown | 8PM
13 | Nick Foxer @ Jam Cellars | 8PM
13 | DJ Rotten Robbie @ The Fink | 8PM

14 | Tom and the Broken Hearts Band @ The Garden | 730PM
14 | Elaine Jennings @ Jam Cellars | 8PM
14 | Warren Haynes Solo @ The Uptown | 8PM

15 | Mike Greensill @ The Fink | 6PM
15 | Jim Kweskin & Suzy Thompson @ The Grange | 7PM

19 | Radio Bobcat @ The Fink | 730PM

20 | Tracy Cruz @ Jam Cellars | 8PM
20 | The Man in Black @ The Uptown | 8PM

21 | The Elovaters @ The Uptown | 7PM
21 | John Mason Duo @ Jam Cellars | 8PM

22 | Ariel Marin @ The Fink | 6PM
22 | The Sinseers and The Altons @ The Uptown | 7PM

23 | Madeline Peyroux @ The Uptown | 7PM

24 | Colin Mahar @ The Fink | 8PM

25 | Dave Ruane @ The Fink | 7PM
25 | ZZ Ward @ The Uptown | 8PM

26 | Musical Happy Hour @ Tonewood & Courage | 6PM
26 | The Vibe @ The Fink | 730PM
26 | Chris Isaak @ The Uptown | 8PM

27 | Ariel Marin @ The Mansion | 6PM
27 | David Correa & Tommy Hill @ Jam Cellars | 8PM
27 | Ambrosia @ The Uptown | 8PM

28 | People of Earth @ The Garden | 8PM
28 | Evan Galbraith Jazz Group @ Jam Cellars | 8PM
28 | Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ The Uptown | 8PM

ONGOING

Jan 17 - Feb 15 | Napa Lighted Art Festival @ Downtown
Jan 19 - Feb 15 | From Broadway With Love @ American Legion Hall

PLAN AHEAD

BUSINESS

The Icing on the Cake: How One Napa Baker Engineered Her Exit Strategy

Most people wait for the "perfect" time to chase a dream; Renee Andrzejewski decided to build her own. After years of navigating the high-pressure service lines of Napa’s most elite outposts—including Press Restaurant and Monday Bakery—the founder of Peaches Custom recently took to Instagram to announce she was officially going full-time.

READ THE STORY

PET OF THE WEEK

In a town this small, it’s a wonder anyone stays lost for long. Right now, the Napa County Shelter is playing host to a few local VIPs (Very Important Pets) who took an unscheduled solo tour of the valley and forgot their way back. They aren't looking for new roommates just yet but they are waiting for a "reunion tour" with their humans.

If you’ve noticed a sudden, suspicious silence in your backyard or a missing spot on your sofa, consider this your nudge to check the shelter logs. These four-legged wanderers are safe, fed, and frankly, a little bored.

That’s it for this week (and next)!

Until then…

Single? Not for Long (Or Who Cares, There’s Free Churros)