Jon Batiste to Headline Festival Napa Valley’s 2025 Arts for All Gala

NAPA, Calif. — GRAMMY and Oscar-winning artist Jon Batiste will headline Festival Napa Valley‘s Arts for All Gala on July 13, 2025, at the Oakville property of Nickel & Nickel, part of Far Niente Wine Estates. The event, a cornerstone of the festival’s summer season, is one of the nation’s premier fundraisers for arts education, having raised over $28 million to date.

The gala supports programs for youth and seniors, music and wellness initiatives, free concerts, and scholarships. “The Arts for All Gala is a dazzling celebration of art, community, and impact,” said Mary Beth Shimmon, who co-chairs the event with her husband, Festival board member David Shimmon. “With Jon Batiste as this year’s headliner, this is the event everyone will be talking about.”

Batiste, known for his genre-defying sound and electrifying performances, has earned five GRAMMY Awards and an Academy Award for his work on Pixar‘s Soul. He gained global recognition as the bandleader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and through Netflix’s 2023 documentary American Symphony.

Guests at the gala will enjoy a lavish dinner by Chef Rogelio Garcia, executive chef of the Michelin-starred Auro, paired with wines from Far Niente Wine Estates. The evening will also feature a live auction offering luxury getaways, bespoke performing arts experiences, and rare wines.

Reservations for the gala are now open for Festival Passport and Opening Weekend Patron Pass holders. A limited number of individual passes will be available in spring 2025 for $3,000 each. Festival Napa Valley’s Summer Season runs from July 5-20, 2025, at venues across Napa Valley.

Batiste recently released his eighth studio album, Beethoven Blues, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Classical Albums chart. He also operates Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club at Baha Mar Bahamas, a venue inspired by The Bahamas’ musical heritage.

Chef Rogelio Garcia, known for his modern Mexican cuisine, blends classical French techniques with global influences. A 2024 James Beard Foundation finalist, Garcia has worked at renowned restaurants like The French Laundry and Spruce.

Far Niente Wine Estates, founded in 1885, continues to uphold its legacy of excellence in winemaking. Festival Napa Valley, now in its 20th year, remains a vital force in fostering arts education and community engagement.