Napa County California Fairgrounds Events

Napa County’s fairground tradition is closely connected to the agricultural communities of Napa Valley, where vineyards, livestock, local food producers, and community organizations have long shaped public celebrations. For visitors looking for the Napa County Fair, the main venue to know is the Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga, at the northern end of the valley.

The fairgrounds hosts the annual Napa County Fair alongside concerts, community gatherings, seasonal festivals, and other public events. Its location in Calistoga also makes it distinct from venues in the city of Napa, roughly 25 miles to the south by road. That difference matters when planning transportation, finding accommodation, or applying for an exhibitor space.

The Napa County Fairgrounds serves both residents and visitors seeking agricultural exhibits, family entertainment, vendor opportunities, and local events. The annual fair is the centerpiece of its calendar, but the venue’s role extends beyond fair week.

Overview of Napa County Fairgrounds

Location and address

The Napa County Fairgrounds is located at 1435 North Oak Street, Calistoga, California 94515. The property sits in Calistoga, a small city known for its connection to Napa Valley wine production, hot springs, and the northern valley’s rural landscape.

Calistoga is the host community, not the county seat. Napa, the county seat, lies farther south along the valley corridor. Visitors should enter the Calistoga address into their navigation system rather than search for a generic “Napa fairgrounds” destination, which can produce confusing results.

Grounds and management

The fairgrounds is operated by the Napa County Fair Association, which organizes the county fair and manages event-related activities. The venue combines outdoor grounds with exhibition and event facilities used for agricultural displays, entertainment, commercial vendors, and community gatherings.

Exact current acreage, building counts, and seating capacities should be confirmed with the association before being used for event planning. Facility configurations can change depending on the event, temporary staging, livestock arrangements, and vendor layout.

Agricultural and cultural importance

Napa County is internationally associated with wine, but its agricultural history is broader than vineyards alone. The county fair provides a setting for local families to share agricultural knowledge, enter youth projects, support community organizations, and take part in traditional fair activities.

For young exhibitors, the fair is also an opportunity to demonstrate animal care, project management, and practical skills. For Calistoga residents, it brings a large community event to the northern end of the valley rather than concentrating every public celebration in the city of Napa.

Upcoming Events at Napa County Fairgrounds

The Calistoga Ag Fair

The main agricultural event currently associated with the former Napa County Fairgrounds is the Calistoga Ag Fair, launched in 2025 by the City of Calistoga. Its purpose is to celebrate Napa Valley’s farming, winemaking, food production, and natural resources.

The 2026 Calistoga Ag Fair took place on Saturday, May 23, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The daytime program included agricultural exhibits, local vendors, the Calistoga Wine Competition results, food, tastings, live entertainment, and a free children’s activity area. Tractor and truck pulls followed from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

That event has passed. A 2027 date should be confirmed through a new announcement rather than assumed from the previous year’s Memorial Day weekend schedule.

Other events and seasonal activities

The 70-acre property includes Calistoga Speedway, the RV park, open spaces, and areas available for event use. The grounds have historically hosted racing, agricultural celebrations, community gatherings, and family activities.

The City of Calistoga is also reviewing the property’s future use and seeking proposals related to the speedway. That process matters to racing fans and event promoters: a historic venue does not necessarily have a guaranteed annual schedule while its management and programming arrangements are being reviewed.

For upcoming events in Calistoga, look for announcements about agricultural exhibitions, tractor displays, wine-related activities, seasonal carnivals, racing, and community gatherings. These are event categories associated with the property, not confirmation that every event will return.

Facility rentals and private functions

The City of Calistoga owns and operates the fairgrounds and manages facility rental information. Potential users should ask about the specific area they want to reserve, whether their event requires a special-event permit, and what equipment and services are available.

Possible uses include community celebrations, outdoor exhibitions, agricultural demonstrations, private functions, and approved activities connected with the speedway. Rental fees, insurance requirements, alcohol permissions, electrical service, occupancy limits, and setup arrangements must be confirmed for the particular space and date.

The County Fair and Calistoga’s Agricultural Celebrations

Is there still a Napa County Fair?

The former Napa County Fairgrounds is now identified by the City of Calistoga as Calistoga Fairgrounds. The city’s current agricultural event is the Calistoga Ag Fair, introduced in 2025.

This distinction is important because the name “Napa County Fair” also appears in older event information. Visitors should not assume that historical branding, a former annual schedule, or an archived ticket page describes the current event program.

There is also a separate fair in the city of Napa: the Napa Town & Country Fair, held at Napa Valley Expo, 575 Third Street, Napa. Its 2026 dates were August 6–9. That fair is not held at the Calistoga Fairgrounds.

Competitions, livestock, and agricultural exhibits

The Calistoga Ag Fair emphasizes the region’s farming and wine industries. Its published 2026 program included an agricultural fair and tractor show, the Calistoga Wine Competition, and tractor and truck pulls.

Visitors interested in livestock judging should confirm the next event’s program before expecting beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, goats, poultry, rabbits, or a junior livestock auction. Those activities are common at traditional county fairs, but they should not be represented as confirmed features of every Calistoga Ag Fair.

The same applies to baking, canning, photography, woodworking, floriculture, and home economics competitions. The event’s future exhibitor guide will determine which competitive divisions are offered.

Visitors interested in Napa County California Fairgrounds Events can also explore local gatherings through Monterey County California Fairgrounds Events. Both counties provide opportunities to discover regional heritage, enjoy seasonal celebrations, and find community activities across California.

Carnival rides, food, and entertainment

The Calistoga Fairgrounds has hosted a pop-up carnival with rides, games, and classic carnival food. The June 12–14, 2026, pop-up carnival advertised free admission, with ride tickets sold separately. Those dates have passed, and future carnival dates and ride-pass prices need a new announcement.

The 2026 Ag Fair included food vendors, local wine and beer tastings, live entertainment, and a children’s zone. The tractor and truck pulls were a notable addition to the event program.

Do not assume that a traveling midway, unlimited-ride wristbands, a particular ride count, or a grandstand concert will be included at the next agricultural fair. The confirmed event schedule should guide ticket purchases and travel plans.

Admission and parking

The 2026 Calistoga Ag Fair was advertised as a free community event. Admission and ride charges differed for the separate June pop-up carnival, where entry was free but rides cost extra.

Future admission policies may change depending on the event. Confirm whether parking is included, whether any ticket is required for special entertainment, and whether vendors accept cash, cards, or both.

Facilities and Grounds

Speedway and event spaces

Calistoga Speedway is one of the property’s most distinctive facilities. The half-mile oval began as a horse-racing track, and automobile racing was introduced in 1937. It has become an important part of Calistoga’s motorsports history.

City facility information identifies grandstand seating for approximately 3,452 people. That capacity is useful for understanding the scale of past racing events, but seating availability, accessible areas, and permitted event layouts should be confirmed for each future production.

The property also contains open grounds and areas used for agricultural displays, community events, and other permitted activities. The City of Calistoga’s fairgrounds office can explain which spaces are currently available and whether any portions are subject to lease or improvement work.

RV park and camping

The Calistoga Fairgrounds RV Park is operated by the City of Calistoga. It offers two principal site types:

• Deluxe sites with 50-amp electricity, water, and sewer hookups.
• Regular sites with water and electrical service.

The city describes the park as being within walking distance of downtown Calistoga, shops, restaurants, and hot springs. Wi-Fi is not listed among its amenities.

Campers should reserve ahead for large events and confirm site length, hookup requirements, arrival procedures, cancellation terms, and any minimum-stay restrictions. A campsite reservation should not be treated as an event ticket.

Accessibility, parking, and visitor amenities

The property includes several different event environments, so access conditions vary. Visitors who require accessible seating, parking close to an entrance, or step-free access should ask the fairgrounds office or event organizer for the current arrangement.

Do not assume that every building, restroom, concession area, or track-side facility is open and operational. Temporary event services, first aid, food concessions, and parking layouts can differ from one gathering to another.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Applying for a booth or agricultural display

The Calistoga Ag Fair has invited vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, and participants in tractor and pickup displays. Its 2026 program included free vendor booths, although future booth availability and terms must be confirmed with the organizer.

Prospective applicants should prepare a description of their products or agricultural activity, the size of their requested space, equipment and power needs, insurance documentation, and any required food-service permits.

For the Ag Fair, the published contact is [email protected], and the City of Calistoga fairgrounds office can be reached at (707) 942-2780.

Competitive entries and deadlines

People wishing to enter wine, agricultural, craft, or other competitions should request the rules for the specific event. The Calistoga Wine Competition has its own entry arrangements, which should not be confused with livestock or general fair exhibits.

No universal Napa County livestock-entry deadline applies to all events at the grounds. Confirm eligibility, fees, required documents, setup times, and judging procedures directly with the relevant organizer.

Getting to Napa County Fairgrounds

Driving directions

The Calistoga Fairgrounds is at 1435 North Oak Street, Calistoga, CA 94515.

• From Napa: Follow Highway 29 north through St. Helena toward Calistoga, then use local streets to reach North Oak Street.
• From Santa Rosa: Take Highway 12 east toward Sonoma and connect with the route north toward Calistoga; check the recommended route and traffic conditions before leaving.
• From San Francisco: Travel north across the Golden Gate Bridge, then follow the North Bay route toward Napa Valley and Highway 29.
• From St. Helena: Follow Highway 29 north into Calistoga and continue to the fairgrounds entrance on North Oak Street.

Highway 29 is the principal valley route connecting Calistoga with St. Helena and Napa. Weekend traffic can build during wine-country events, so allow extra time for parking and entry.

Public transportation and rideshare

Check current transit services before relying on public transportation to reach the fairgrounds. Service frequency and evening connections may be limited compared with larger cities.

Rideshare can be useful for wine-related events and evening celebrations, but availability varies by time and demand. Confirm the event’s designated drop-off point and arrange a return trip before relying on a late-night pickup.

4-H, FFA, and Youth Agriculture

Agricultural education in Napa County

Youth agricultural education is relevant to Napa County because vineyards, farm businesses, natural-resource management, and rural livelihoods are central to the region’s identity. The fairgrounds offers a public venue for agricultural displays and hands-on activities that can help younger visitors understand the work behind local food and wine production.

The Calistoga Ag Fair’s published program includes agricultural exhibits and a children’s activity area. Families seeking livestock projects or competitive youth exhibits should check with UC Cooperative Extension’s Napa County 4-H program and local FFA advisers for current opportunities.

Livestock auctions and youth participation

A junior livestock auction, when offered at a particular fair, generally allows eligible youth exhibitors to present market animals to buyers under the event’s rules. Participants must meet age, enrollment, project, animal-health, and entry requirements.

A junior livestock auction should not be assumed to be part of the Calistoga Ag Fair’s current program. Families interested in beef, sheep, swine, goats, poultry, or rabbits should verify which local fair or youth exhibition accepts those entries and whether an auction is scheduled.

Special Events Beyond the Agricultural Fair

Tractor pulls and motorsports

The 2026 Calistoga Ag Fair included tractor and truck pulls, making farm equipment and pulling competitions a confirmed part of that year’s celebration. Calistoga Speedway also has a long association with dirt-track automobile racing.

The city has sought proposals for future speedway operations. Racing dates, ticket prices, pit access, camping arrangements, and event management therefore need to be checked against current announcements.

Carnivals, markets, and community gatherings

The grounds have hosted a pop-up carnival and agricultural events with local vendors. Future flea markets, swap meets, gun shows, rodeos, concerts, or holiday gatherings should be verified individually rather than described as a permanent recurring schedule.

The City of Calistoga also maintains a Fairgrounds Advisory Committee, established in 2025, which provides recommendations to the City Council and fairgrounds director as the property is revitalized. Residents and prospective event organizers can follow its public meetings and planning updates.

History of Napa County Fairgrounds

From the Napa County Fairgrounds to a city-owned venue

The property was historically known as the Napa County Fairgrounds. It is now called Calistoga Fairgrounds and is owned and operated by the City of Calistoga, which describes the site as a 70-acre community property.

Its history includes agricultural fairs, public gatherings, and motorsports. Calistoga Speedway began as a horse-racing track, with automobile racing introduced in 1937. The track’s long history makes it a notable feature of the property even as the city considers future management and improvements.

Recent changes and future planning

The Calistoga Ag Fair launched in 2025 as a free community celebration of Napa Valley’s agricultural roots. Its 2026 program expanded the focus on agricultural exhibits, wine, local vendors, and tractor and truck pulls.

The city is continuing to plan for the fairgrounds’ future, including the speedway and other possible uses. This ongoing process means that the property’s event calendar may evolve, and historic events should not be treated as guaranteed future bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Napa County Fair in 2026 or 2027?

The Calistoga Ag Fair took place May 23, 2026. The next date should be confirmed through the City of Calistoga’s official event announcements. The Napa Town & Country Fair is a separate event held in the city of Napa.

What time does Napa County Fairgrounds open?

There is no single daily public opening time. The 2026 Calistoga Ag Fair ran from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., while other events and the RV park follow their own schedules.

Is there camping at Napa County Fairgrounds?

Yes. The Calistoga Fairgrounds RV Park offers sites with full hookups and sites with water and electrical service. Contact the city at (707) 942-2780 for current reservations and availability.

How do I enter livestock in the Napa County Fair?

First confirm that the specific event offers livestock classes. Contact the organizer for the current entry guide, eligibility rules, animal-health requirements, deadlines, and any auction arrangements.

Are dogs allowed at Napa County Fairgrounds?

Pet rules depend on the event and facility. Ask the organizer before bringing a dog to a fair, carnival, or motorsports event, and confirm the RV park’s current pet policies if camping.

Where do I park at Napa County Fairgrounds?

Parking arrangements vary by event. Follow the event’s posted instructions and allow extra time on North Oak Street during major gatherings. Confirm accessible parking and any parking fees in advance.

Who do I contact to rent Napa County Fairgrounds?

Contact the City of Calistoga Fairgrounds office at (707) 942-2780 or email [email protected] for facility rental information, permitted uses, and current fees.

How much does it cost to attend the Napa County Fair?

The 2026 Calistoga Ag Fair was free to attend. The June 2026 pop-up carnival also offered free admission, with rides sold separately. Future event prices may differ.

Does the fairgrounds have an RV park?

Yes. The city-operated Calistoga Fairgrounds RV Park has full-hookup and partial-hookup sites. Reservations should be made in advance for busy weekends.

Is the Napa Town & Country Fair held in Calistoga?

No. The Napa Town & Country Fair takes place at Napa Valley Expo in the city of Napa. The Calistoga Fairgrounds is a separate venue at 1435 North Oak Street in Calistoga.