News Worth Mentioning – December 18, 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.
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.
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 6 to 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.
Filled with Christmas lights and decorations, the evening will include fire engines, a 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 are included in the game-filled evening for all skill levels. Neon, glow-in-the-dark apparel and accessories are encouraged. Visit www.yvilleparksandrec.com to register.
RO Restaurant & Lounge – Christmas Eve
On Dec. 24, RO will celebrate Christmas Eve from 4–9:30 p.m. with festive food and drink specials inspired by seasonal flavors, plus a live holiday jazz trio performing from 6–8 p.m. Guests can enjoy the full menu, along with happy hour on the patio and at the bar from 4–6 p.m., Limited-time offerings including a whole roasted Liberty Duck for two, a White Negroni, a Persimmon Spritz and a classic Brandy Alexander.
RO Restaurant & Lounge – New Year’s Eve
On Dec. 31, RO will ring in the New Year from 5 p.m. to midnight with a holiday menu offered in two seatings, each including a Champagne welcome and optional wine pairing, plus a live performance by Aaron Durr.
The first seating is $125 per person and the second at $295, with menus featuring dishes such as Regiis Ova Ossetra caviar, roasted beet salad, black cod, Snake River Farms ribeye, and a winter citrus mille-feuille, with an optional Japanese A5 Wagyu ribeye supplement.
An à la carte bar menu, including caviar service, sushi rolls, katsu sandos and rice bowls, will be available for walk-ins. A $35 cover charge includes a glass of Champagne. (Please note that happy hour will not be offered on New Year’s Eve.)
Napa County winter break observance
Napa County will observe a winter break from Dec. 24 to 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:
- 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 continues
A free big-screen viewing of Ken Burns’ new documentary series, “The American Revolution,” continues for an additional two 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 Tuesdays, Dec. 23 and 30.
2025 Give!Guide campaign
The 13th annual CanDo Give!Guide campaign launched on Nov. 1 and runs 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].
Michael Leonardi Foundation Awareness Pop-Up at Healthquest
The team from the Michael Leonardi Foundation will host an awareness pop-up at HealthQuest Fitness Center in Napa to educate attendees about illicit fentanyl, answer questions, share resources and talk about how simple awareness can save lives. It’s on Saturday, Jan. 10, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Healthquest, 3175 California Blvd, Napa.
Molly’s Angels Crab Feed
Molly’s Angels, which provides support services for seniors in Napa County, will host its annual Crab Feed on Jan. 24 from 5:30 -10:30 p.m. at the Yountville Community Center
6516 Washington St., Yountville. Find more information and reserve tickets at www.mollysangels.com/.
