From late January through early spring, Napa Valley gets a special golden glow-up. Known as Mustard Season, this winter spectacle is one of the best times to experience wine country at a slower pace, featuring events and experiences that bring local flavor, culture, and plenty of opportunity for sunny selfies.Tasting rooms pour seasonal flights, galleries showcase mustard-inspired art, and restaurants add tasty dishes to their menus, all while nearby vineyards burst into bright yellow bloom. Consider this your guide to enjoying Mustard Season with the City of Napa as your home base, from downtown happenings to scenic views that are just minutes away.
What is Mustard Season in Napa?
During late winter and heading into spring the vineyards and open spaces of Napa come alive with vibrant yellow mustard flowers blooming throughout rows of vineyards between dormant, pruned grapevines.
While the plants are plentiful as a wildflower throughout the valley, vintners intentionally till seeds between vines as a cover crop during the otherwise dormant growing season. Because of its deep-reaching root networks, mustard plants help protect vineyard soil from erosion, improve overall vineyard health, and do a lot of work to support the next cycle of grape-growing.
When is Mustard Season in Napa?
Mustard Season in Napa typically runs from January to March every year, though this timing can shift sometimes depending on weather. If you’re aiming for peak color (and photography opportunities), mid-February is usually your best bet, but visiting Napa in March can be especially rewarding for its lingering mustard blooms, seasonal events, and mild spring weather.
Where to Stay During Mustard Season
With mustard blooms stretching across the entire region, staying within the City of Napa makes it easy to experience this special season at your own pace. Walkable tastings, restaurants, seasonal events, and art shows keep you connected to the heart of the celebration, while Napa’s central location offers flexibility to explore more if you choose.
Click here to explore places to stay in Napa.
Things to Do During Mustard Season in Napa
A highlight of visiting during Mustard Season is a slower pace, fewer crowds, and the time to soak in the beauty of Napa. The only question: how do you like to explore? Outside of walking through fields of stunning flowers, here are some of our favorite ways to experience this annual event.
Enjoy Mustard Season Shopping
Local makers and events feature limited-edition wines, small-batch beers, olive oils, and specialty treats crafted to celebrate Napa’s golden winter bloom. For a beautiful blend of seasonal flavors and local products, join us for the Mustard Celebration Art & Sip hosted by Art Around Napa at First Street Napa on Saturday, March 14, 2026! This walkable downtown event pairs wine tastings, live music, and mustard-season shopping, making it an easy way to sample local wines, browse specialty food products, and discover limited-edition goods inspired by the bloom.
Explore Mustard Season Through Napa Art & Photography
Mustard Season has long inspired paintings and photography, with golden fields showing up in galleries and seasonal exhibitions every winter. Jessel Gallery hosts mustard-season programming throughout February and March, including the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration Art Show on February 7-8, 2026, featuring works inspired by the bloom, student exhibitions, and the chance to meet 2026 Official Artist Paul Youngman. The celebration continues March 7-8, 2026 at the gallery’s Artist Demonstration Days, featuring tastings and interactive experiences that bring the season to life.
Stroll Your Way Through Downtown
Mustard Season is about more than mustard bloom views, as any local will tell you. Take a walk around the Napa River, explore public art installations, browse and shop around First Street Napa, or spend the afternoon at Oxbow Public Market. During this time of year downtown is especially alive, and every corner feels like it’s part of the celebration.
Bike Among the Blooms
If you prefer to explore on two wheels, consider hopping on the Vine Trail with a bike rental from local Napa bikeshops. Fat Tire Bike Rentals, Napa Valley Bike Shop, and Napa Valley Bike Tours offer everything from self-guided pedal bike rides to guided e-bike tours. Fuel up at one of downtown Napa’s coffee spots, then head a few steps down the street to pick up a rental bike and hit the trail!
Take a Scenic Drive
From your hotel in the city, vineyard-lined roads are only minutes away. A sunny drive along Highway 29 or the Silverado Trail offers unbeatable, up-close views of mustard fields in all their glory, stretching between vineyard rows and open spaces for miles. These routes are easy to enjoy at your own pace with plenty of opportunities to pull over, get out, and walk through the waist-high ocean of flowers with camera in hand.
Grab a Window Seat on the Wine Train or Trolley
If you’re looking for a perfect mustard-centered day that involves minimal planning, maximum views, and a few drinks in between, Napa’s ride-along experiences deliver every time.
The Napa Valley Wine Train pairs vineyard views with curated onboard experiences, from elegant multi-course gourmet meals to themed tasting journeys. As the train departs from downtown Napa, guests enjoy a leisurely perspective on Mustard Season that they won’t find anywhere else.
Prefer something a little more open-air? Let us introduce you to the Napa Valley Wine Trolley, a guided wine tasting experience aboard a classic San Francisco-style cable car. The trolley offers the perfect mix of scenic vineyard cruises, fun-filled trivia and wine education. On your way, you’ll stop to sample wines, olive oil, and other local artisan products!
Don’t Miss the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration Finale
The Napa Valley Mustard Celebration unfolds throughout the season with events and experiences across the city, all leading up to the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration Finale—Napa’s signature mustard festival—held March 27-28, 2026 at CIA at Copia. This two-day event brings the spirit of the season together in one place, with more than 75 art, wine, and food vendors, live music, contests, and plenty of opportunities to explore Napa’s creative side. As the official wrap-up to Mustard Season, the finale is a great way to experience the energy of our community while celebrating the bloom at its peak.
Mustard Season FAQs
Is the City of Napa a good place to stay during Mustard Season?
Absolutely. Staying in the City of Napa places you at the heart of the season, with walkable restaurants, tasting rooms, galleries, and events all close by.
What is Mustard Season like in Napa?
Stunning and relaxed. Bright yellow blooms frame vineyards and open spaces while guests benefit from visiting during this historically quieter time in the city. You’re surrounded by locals, wine makers, and one-on-one interactions with the people that define Napa year round.
When is the best time to visit Napa for Mustard Season experiences?
Mustard Season typically runs from late January through March, with peak blooms most often appearing in February. Visiting during this window offers the best mix of scenic yellow hues, seasonal events, and mild weather! To stay updated on peak blooms, make sure you’re following our social channels!
What are some easy ways to experience Mustard Season in Napa without a car?
Many mustard-season experiences in Napa are accessible without a car. Visitors can enjoy walkable downtown tastings and events, book ride-along experiences like the Wine Train or Wine Trolley, or explore by bike with rentals and guided tours.
Do Napa restaurants and wineries feature Mustard Season dishes?
Yes! During Mustard Season, some Napa restaurants and wineries with food programs highlight tasty seasonal dishes that incorporate edible mustard greens or flowers.
Are there Mustard Season events in the City of Napa?
Yes! The City of Napa hosts a variety of mustard-season events throughout the winter and early spring, including art exhibitions, tastings, shopping events, and live music. The season culminates with the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration Finale at CIA at Copia on March 27-28, 2026, bringing the community together to celebrate the bloom.
Whether you’re exploring downtown streets, stepping into nearby vineyard views, sipping wine aboard a trolley, or planning your visit around one of the season’s signature events, this is a time when the City of Napa truly shines. If Mustard Season is calling your name, now’s the perfect moment to start planning your stay and experience it for yourself.
