Return with Christmas in the Vineyards, Adding a Free Concert for Children
October 14, 2026 (Napa, CA) — Music in the Vineyards (MITV) and Aeternum announce that Christmas in the Vineyards returns December 11 and 12, 2026. The jointly presented holiday performance expands to three concerts this year with a free Saturday morning concert designed to engage children 12 and under.
Christmas in the Vineyards debuted in 2025 with two sold-out concerts and more than 400 attendees. This year, the celebration expands with a 45-minute concert for children and their families – a “Candy Cane Sing-Along” – featuring traditional holiday favorites and audience participation. Admission is free, though advance registration is required.
“Sharing the joy of music is at the core of what we do at MITV”, said MITV’s Artistic Directors Daria and Michael Adams. “We are delighted to offer a concert this year for the children and families of the Napa Valley, in addition to our two evening performances.”
The two evening concerts unite Music in the Vineyards’ and Aeternum’s exceptional artists, pairing choir and strings for a program that includes Vivaldi’s Winter, highlights from Handel’s Messiah, and traditional and contemporary seasonal repertoire.
Aeternum’s Artistic Director, Bailey Cooke, added “Aeternum is thrilled to bring Christmas in the Vineyards back to our Napa Valley community. Collaborating with Music in the Vineyards, which has long represented musical excellence in Napa Valley, allows us to expand our sound world and to bring some Christmas joy. This year, we get to bring that joy to Napa’s young listeners, too, with a children’s concert!”
Friday, December 11, 7:00pm
Brannan Center, Calistoga
Saturday, December 12, 7:00pm
First Presbyterian Church of Napa
$35 General Admission, $65 Reserved Seating (first 3 rows), $5 Youth Admission
Saturday, December 12, 11:30am, Candy Cane Sing-Along (children’s concert)
First Presbyterian Church of Napa.
Free, registration required
Tickets go on sale October 14, 2026 at musicinthevineyards.org
About Music in the Vineyards
Music in the Vineyards is Napa Valley’s premier chamber music festival, held each August in breathtaking winery settings across the region. Over four weeks, the festival brings together world-renowned artists and rising young talent for intimate performances in venues perfectly suited to chamber music. Audiences enjoy complimentary wine tastings at intermission and panoramic views of the valley—an experience that blends Napa’s iconic ambiance with exceptional musicianship.
Founded in 1995 by Artistic Directors Michael Adams and Daria Tedeschi Adams, Music in the Vineyards was born from a vision to create a chamber music festival that matched the world-class reputation of Napa’s food and wine. What began as a modest house concert featuring seven musicians and six performances has grown into a vibrant summer festival featuring a roster of acclaimed artists, along with lecture-demonstrations, free open rehearsals, community engagement, new commissions and Michael’s much-loved program notes delivered from the stage.
Since 2009, Music in the Vineyards has partnered with the Klein International Competition of San Francisco, bringing some of today’s most promising young artists to Napa audiences early in their careers. Its annual Fellowship String Quartet program further supports emerging ensembles through intensive mentoring and professional development, helping to connect artists with the community and shape the next generation of chamber musicians. In 2026, MITV partnered with Chamber Music in Napa Valley to administer Music for Students, a long-running program that brings free live musical presentations to school classrooms, expanding MITV’s educational offerings to year-round.
About Aeternum
Described as “the Bay Area’s latest and greatest master chorus” by the San Francisco Classical Voice, Aeternum was co-founded by Artistic Director Bailey Cooke and Executive Director Brady Egbert. Aeternum is a professional choir bringing together top choral talent around the world.
Latin for “eternal,” Aeternum presents imaginative vocal programs across history. Our programming embraces a wide range of styles, sound worlds, and traditions, pairing early repertoire with the freshest and boldest works by living composers.
We’re passionate about education. Through partnerships with local Title I schools, Aeternum offers workshops, mentorship, and live performances that help fill the growing gap in arts access. Our goal is to spark a lifelong love of singing in young people.
