News Worth Mentioning – December 11, 2025
Shop and celebrate locally! Holidays in Yountville events are in full swing and continue through Jan. 1. More than 100 events are planned, including wine tastings, holiday treats, crafting workshops, gift shopping, cooking classes, open houses and opportunities to give back. For a complete schedule of events visit this link.
Bardessono to host Latke Throwdown tonight
Bardessono Hotel & Spa’s 5th annual Latke Throwdown is set for today (Thursday, Dec. 11), from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests can watch top local chefs, including Bardessono’s executive chef, Rick Edge of Lucy Restaurant and Bar, compete in a latke-making contest. Competitors have approximately 30 minutes to create the ultimate latke, which guests can sample. The winner will be awarded the Golden Spatula. This year’s judges panel is composed of past Latke Throwdown winners, alongside local chefs and tastemakers, who will judge competitors in three categories: creativity, presentation and taste.
Tickets to the event are $20 per person, with all proceeds benefiting Parents CAN, a Napa-based nonprofit supporting families of children with special needs. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Napa Humane Community Mixer at Priest Ranch
Also, this evening is an occasion for people to celebrate pets from 4 to 6 p.m. at Priest Ranch in Yountville. Toast to the season and celebrate another impactful year for Napa Humane. This humans-only mixer is limited to 60 guests, so reserve your spot early. Priest Ranch Tasting Room, 6490 Washington St., Yountville
BottleRock resident holiday presale
This week, BottleRock Napa Valley opened its Napa County resident holiday presale for tickets to the 2026 three-day music, wine, culinary and craft brew festival.
Next year’s music festival will take place from May 22 to May 24, at the Napa Valley Expo. Resident presale tickets are limited and available while supplies last. To be eligible, each purchaser’s shipping address will require a Napa County zip code.
Napa resident holiday presale three-day ticket prices, including all fees and shipping, start at $455 per person. For more information about BottleRock 2026 and to purchase presale tickets, visit www.bottlerocknapavalley.com/.
Napa County winter break observance
Napa County will observe a winter break from Wednesday, Dec. 24, to Thursday, Jan. 1. During this period, county offices will be closed.
Public safety services, including those provided by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office and Napa County Fire, as well as essential health and human services, will remain available. For non-emergencies, contact the dispatch center at 707-253-4451. For emergencies, dial 911.
Napa County offices will re-open on Friday, Jan. 2, operating during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A wide range of county services are available online at www.napacounty.org/.
IDOL Instrumental competition
E & M Presents introduces IDOL Instrumental, a spin on its previous IDOL competitions. Student ages 12 to 17 residing in Napa County are invited to audition and showcase their talents in a solo format on an instrument of their choice.
Remaining audition dates are:
- Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. (Tonewood & Courage, 1300 First St. #212, Napa).
- Monday, Jan. 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Brannan Center (1407 Third St., Calistoga).
- Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lucky Penny (1758 Industrial Way, Napa).
- Thursday, Jan. 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lucky Penny.
Semifinals and finals are at the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa.
- Semifinals are Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m.
- Finals are Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m.
There is no cost to apply and participate. Applications are available online in English and in Spanish. Top prizes include tickets to BottleRock 2026, cash, gift cards and opportunities to perform at special events in Napa Valley.
Tickets to attend the semifinals and finals are $25 for adults and $15 for kids ages 12 and under. For more information, or to apply, visit: www.eandmpresents.org/idol/. For questions, email [email protected].
Yountville’s Gather and Watch: six- week viewing of Ken Burns’ ‘The American Revolution’ continues
A free big-screen viewing of Ken Burns’ new documentary series, “The American Revolution,” continues for an additional five sessions at the Yountville Community Center. Each screening is followed by an informal group discussion.
The six-part series explores how America’s founding turned the world upside-down, providing an expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the Revolutionary War and the birth of the United States of America. More information can be found at https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution/about-the-film
Each week attendees gather at 5 p.m. for a two-hour episode beginning at 5:15 p.m. The 45-minute informal discussion will follow. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks and beverages to share. The remaining viewing dates are Wednesdays: Dec. 17, followed by Tuesdays, Dec. 23 and 30.
Cal Fire Yountville set to host Toy Drive
Cal Fire Yountville is hosting the second annual Toy Drive to benefit Toys for Tots on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 6to 8 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped gift.
The event is a partnership between CAL FIRE, the Napa Valley Wine Train, Bring It! Karaoke, Costco, Shake Shack, Bring It! Karaoke and Toys for Tots to provide gifts for local children in need.
The Christmas light and decoration filled evening will include fire engines, a live violin performance by Gia Matchak, karaoke, pizza and hot chocolate. Station 12 is at 7401 Solano Ave., Yountville.
Glow Pickleball Night returns
Calling all pickleballers: get ready to light up the indoor court at the Yountville Community Center on Friday, Dec. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Snacks, drinks, and music will fill the game-filled evening, which is perfect for all skill levels. Neon, glow-in-the-dark apparel and accessories are encouraged. Visit www.yvilleparksandrec.com to register.
2025 Give!Guide campaign
The 13th annual CanDo Give!Guide campaign launched on Nov. 1 and will run through Dec. 31. The community’s end-of-year giving campaign features a record 91 nonprofit organizations, offering donors the broadest range of choices in the program’s history.
Since Napa Valley CanDo founded the Give!Guide in 2013, it has raised more than $7.3 million for 154 Napa County nonprofits, which includes $1.14 million in donations collected in 2024.
Participating nonprofit partners work in key community sectors including health, education, environment, animal care, youth, seniors, arts and social services. Donors can browse participating organizations online and make contributions to one or many nonprofits in a single, secure transaction.
The Give!Guide accepts donations by credit card or check starting at $10. All participating nonprofits are carefully screened and all money raised stays in Napa County.
For more information and to access the guide online, visit www.CanDoGiveGuide.org/. For questions, email [email protected].
