Napa Valley Events & Things to Do: Wine Tasting, Wine Train, Balloon Rides & Towns

Quick answer: The best things to do in Napa Valley include touring and tasting at world-class wineries, riding the Napa Valley Wine Train, dining at acclaimed restaurants in Yountville and St. Helena, taking a hot air balloon ride, and relaxing at the hot springs in Calistoga. Coming up: the fall harvest season, holiday events in December, and the Wine Train's Santa Train (December 21 through 23).

Looking for things to do in Napa Valley besides wine, with kids, or this weekend? Napa is home to more than 400 wineries, but there's plenty more: the Napa Valley Wine Train, sunrise hot air balloon rides, Yountville's famous restaurants, Calistoga's mud baths and hot springs, and the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa. Harvest season from August to October is the most popular time to visit.

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• Oxbow Public Market Tours & Tickets: Walking tours, food stops, and local history.
• Madonna Estate Winery Tours & Tickets: Historic tours and guided visits.
• Castello di Amorosa Tours & Tickets: Top-rated tours, tickets, and experiences.
• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Tours & Tickets: Top-rated tours, tickets, and experiences.
• Napa & Sonoma Food, Wine & Nightlife: Browse food, wine & nightlife in Napa & Sonoma.
• Calistoga Tours & Tickets: Top-rated tours, tickets, and experiences.
• Napa & Sonoma Food Tours: Browse food tours in Napa & Sonoma.

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Upcoming Napa Valley Events in 2026 and 2027

• Harvest season: Napa's harvest, known as crush, runs from early August into late fall, when winery visits are at their most lively.
• Holiday season: December brings town tree lightings, the Lighted Tractor Parade, and Calistoga's Merry & Bright Night, according to Visit Napa Valley.
• Santa Train: The Napa Valley Wine Train runs daytime Santa Train trips on December 21, 22, and 23, 2026.

Find Tickets: Calistoga Tours & Tickets • Napa & Sonoma Wine Tasting & Winery Tours • Napa & Sonoma Cooking Classes

How Do You Plan a Napa Valley Winery Tour?

Napa Valley stretches about 30 miles from the city of Napa to Calistoga, with wineries along Highway 29 and the quieter Silverado Trail. Most tastings require advance reservations, so book ahead and plan two to four stops a day. A guided tour or private driver lets everyone enjoy the tastings. Start at the Napa Valley Welcome Center in downtown Napa for maps and tips.

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What Is the Napa Valley Wine Train?

The Napa Valley Wine Train is a 36-mile round-trip rail journey from downtown Napa to St. Helena and back in restored vintage cars, with multi-course meals and wine pairings. Some trips include winery stops along the way.

Explore: Benziger Family Winery Tours & Tickets • Viansa Sonoma Winery Tours & Tickets • Napa & Sonoma Food, Wine & Nightlife

What Are the Best Towns to Visit in Napa Valley?

• Downtown Napa: Tasting rooms, the Oxbow Public Market, and riverfront dining.
• Yountville: A small town known for world-famous restaurants.
• St. Helena: Historic Main Street shops and top wineries.
• Calistoga: Hot springs, mud baths, and the Old Faithful Geyser of California.

Explore: Oxbow Public Market Tours & Tickets • Napa & Sonoma Art & Culture • Calistoga Tours & Tickets

Napa Valley Food & Experiences

Pair your tastings with farm-to-table dining, cooking classes, cheese and olive oil tastings, and a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the vineyards. Many wineries also offer cave tours, blending sessions, and vineyard picnics.

Explore: Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards Tours & Tickets • Sutter Home Family Vineyards Tours & Tickets • Raymond Vineyards Tours & Tickets

Things to Do in Napa Valley With Kids

Traveling with kids? Visit Castello di Amorosa, which offers juice tastings, see the Old Faithful Geyser of California in Calistoga, browse the Oxbow Public Market, and ride the Wine Train's Santa Train during the holidays.

Explore: Castello di Amorosa Tours & Tickets • Napa & Sonoma Sightseeing Tickets & Passes • Oxbow Public Market Tours & Tickets

Free Things to Do in Napa Valley

• Napa Valley Vine Trail: A paved path for walking and biking through vineyards.
• Yountville Art Walk: Outdoor sculptures along Washington Street.
• Downtown Napa Riverfront: Shops, restaurants, and river views.
• Oxbow Public Market: Free to browse local food and specialty shops.

Things to Do in Napa Valley for Adults & Couples

• Winery tastings: Reserve ahead, since most wineries require appointments.
• Hot air balloon ride: Sunrise flights over the valley.
• Napa Valley Wine Train: Lunch or dinner aboard vintage rail cars.
• Calistoga spa day: Mud baths and mineral pools.

Things to Do in Napa Valley This Weekend & Today

Napa weekends fill quickly, especially during harvest. Book tastings, the Wine Train, and dinner reservations ahead, and plan a driver or tour so you can enjoy the day.

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Popular Napa Valley Questions

What are the best free things to do in Napa Valley?

Free favorites in Napa Valley include Napa Valley Vine Trail, Yountville Art Walk, Downtown Napa Riverfront, and Oxbow Public Market. See the free things to do section above for details.

What are the best things to do in Napa Valley for adults and couples?

Popular picks for adults and couples in Napa Valley include winery tastings, hot air balloon ride, Napa Valley Wine Train, and Calistoga spa day.

When is harvest season in Napa Valley?

Harvest runs from early August into the fall, with most red grapes picked in September and October.

How long is the Napa Valley Wine Train ride?

The Wine Train is a 36-mile round trip from downtown Napa to St. Helena.

Do you need reservations for Napa wineries?

Most Napa wineries require or strongly recommend advance tasting reservations, especially on weekends and during harvest.

When is the Napa Valley Wine Train Santa Train 2026?

Daytime Santa Train trips run December 21, 22, and 23, 2026.

When is the best time to visit Napa Valley?

Fall brings harvest energy, spring brings mustard flowers and fewer crowds, summer brings sunny patio tastings, and winter brings lower rates and holiday events.

What is there to do in Napa Valley this weekend?

Browse Napa Valley tours and activities for winery tours, Wine Train trips, and experiences you can book for your dates.

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Plan Your Napa Valley Trip

Taste at world-class wineries, ride the Napa Valley Wine Train, dine in Yountville, float over the vineyards in a hot air balloon, and unwind in Calistoga's hot springs.

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