BottleRock 2026 is three days in Napa Valley that somehow pack in world-class music, Michelin-level food, and wine pours from the best vineyards in California—and I’m so excited for this year’s lineup! It’s coming up May 22–24 at the Napa Valley Expo, and if you’re not feeling ready, I’ve got you with these tips.
I went for the first time last year (it was actually my first music festival ever) and I loved the experience. This year I’m going back with a whole group, and we’ve already started planning. If you’re headed to BottleRock this year, here’s everything you need to know before you go, plus the acts I can’t wait to see.
It’s Not Coachella. That’s Kind of the Whole Point.
Let me just say this upfront: BottleRock is a bougie music festival, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. I have zero interest in Coachella—it’s massive, overwhelming, and I’m exhausted just thinking about it. BottleRock is contained enough that you can actually navigate it without losing your group, the crowd skews a little older, so the vibe is frankly more civilized, and the food and wine situation puts every other festival to shame. It’s Napa. Of course it does.
Tips to Get The Most out of BottleRock
Download the App
The app is super helpful for mapping out which artists you want to see and when they’re performing. It’s also got helpful info in it like how to activate your wristbands (the festival is cashless and you pay with your wristband), and of course, a link to the official BottleRock Spotify playlist.
Use the Free Sunscreen Stations
The Napa sun in May is no joke. You’re out in an open field for eight-plus hours, and the UV hits harder than you’d expect for a spring festival. NorthBay Health is sponsoring the free sunscreen towers set up throughout the grounds this year, so take advantage and reapply.
Getting there + Parking
BottleRock parking is pretty well-organized, you’re just more than likely going to have to hoof it. I think we had a 15 – 20 minute walk from our parking lot to the festival last year.
They do list Uber/Lyft as an option and while Napa does have these rideshare services, I personally wouldn’t rely on them because of how busy it gets when everyone is leaving the festival. True story: One year I got a DM from someone I haven’t seen since high school around 11:30pm at night asking me for a ride back to her hotel from BottleRock because she couldn’t get an Uber. Soo that’s why I won’t be relying on a rideshare at the end of the night, lol!
If you’re coming from out of town, a smart move is the official BottleRock shuttle, which runs round-trip from San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San José, Fairfield, Santa Rosa, Mill Valley, Palo Alto, and more. Let someone else deal with the logistics and start your day already relaxed. Worth it.
Dress for Both Napa Afternoons and Napa Nights
This one catches first-timers every single time—and honestly, it caught me last year for about 20 minutes until I stole Omied’s jacket. Napa in May can be warm and sunny in the afternoon, and you’ll be downright sweating, but then it’ll be genuinely chilly once the sun goes down.
Wear something cute for the daytime sets, but pack a jacket or a light layer you can tie around your waist. Otherwise, you will end up buying an overpriced festival hoodie at 9 PM.
This year I’m styling my outfits around these crystal bodysuits/chains from Bluebella (with clothes underneath lol). The looks are still coming together but I’m excited for the glam direction we’re headed!
Wear Shoes You Can Actually Walk In
I know. You have the perfect festival outfit planned. I support it. But you’re standing and trekking around to different stages for hours—eight-plus hours, per day, for three days—and your feet will start lobbying for better working conditions around hour six on the first day. Save the cute-but-painful shoes for another time.
I’m a fan of chunky sandals or flat cowgirl boots—perfect festival vibe and comfortable.
Have a Food Plan Before You’re Starving
The Culinary Garden at BottleRock is one of the parts of the festival that make it truly unique. There are cooking demos with people like Gordon Ramsay and Giada De Laurentiis, a Wine Garden with pours from Napa legends like Caymus Vineyards, craft beer from Russian River Brewing and Lagunitas, and tons of food booths to choose from.
Don’t wait until you’re starving to figure out where to eat and stand in line. Scope the booths early, eat before peak lunch hour when lines build up, and pace yourself across all three days.
Who I’m Most Excited to See at BottleRock 2026
Friday, May 22: Børns, Lorde, and One Very Full Day
Lorde is headlining Friday night, and I have been waiting for this moment. She stepped back for years, and the fact that she’s back—and headlining BottleRock—feels like a gift. I’m not missing a single second of that set.
But the act I’ve been thinking about most for Friday is actually Børns. I’ve been listening to “Electric Love” on repeat since the lineup dropped, and I am fully prepared to sing every word at full volume.
Oh, and Lil Wayne is also on Friday. So it’s already a really fun day and we haven’t even touched Saturday yet.
Saturday, May 23: Joan Jett, Busta Rhymes, and Foo Fighters
Joan Jett is a living legend—there is no version of this where I miss her set. She performs like she has nothing to prove and everything to give. Busta Rhymes in that same setting is what I love about BottleRock—last year we saw E-40 and Green Day in the same day, and I just love the variety.
Then there’s Foo Fighters closing out the night. Dave Grohl is a force of nature live, and Foo Fighters under the stars in Napa just makes sense. LCD Soundsystem is also on Saturday, which means if you’re making hard choices about your schedule, Saturday is the day you’ll feel it most. Pick your priorities early.
Sunday, May 24: The Backstreet Boys and My Very Millennial Heart
Okay, real talk: I was an NSYNC girly. I will always be an NSYNC girly. But until we get an NSYNC reunion tour, Backstreet Boys is the next best thing.
My millennial heart is going to go absolutely feral for “I Want It That Way” and every word is going to come back instantly, because some things just don’t leave you. They’re exactly the kind of act that fits a BottleRock Sunday—nostalgic, fun, a crowd that’s all in together. Ludacris is also on Sunday, so the whole day has this throwback energy that’s basically designed for anyone who grew up in the late ’90s and early 2000s. It’s going to be a moment.
Food Vendors I’m Excited About
There’s no shortage of good food at BottleRock but here’s a list of my fav restaurnts that will have food stalls at the festival so you can be on the lookout for them!
- Mustard’s
- Morimoto
- Slanted Door
- PRESS
- Charlie’s
- Goose & Gander
- UNDER-STUDY
- Loveski
- Chispa
- Zuzu
- Sweetie Pies
Can’t-Miss Wineries
And of course, there are plenty of awesome wineries pouring at BottleRock. Here are a few I’ll be stopping at:
- Caymus
- Shafer
- Cliff Lede
- CHANDON
- Clif Family
- House of Far Niente
FAQ: BottleRock 2026
Is BottleRock worth it? Yes—especially if you care about food and wine as much as the music. It’s not cheap, but the value is real.
What should I bring to BottleRock? A reusable water bottle (empty at security), a hat, sunglasses, a jacket for nighttime, comfortable shoes, hand sanitizer, chapstick, and a portable phone charger. Be sure to check their bag policy, but generally they require your bag to be clear and no larger than 12″L x 6″W x 12″H. If it’s not a clear bag, it needs to be a small clutch or fanny pack (6″ x 9″ or smaller), with no more than one pocket. Backpacks are a no-go.
You’re also allowed to bring a paper parasol, and I’m planning on getting this 5-pack on Amazon. I just remember being so hot last year standing in the sun for hours and hours so I think I’ll be really happy to have one and share others with friends!
How do I get to BottleRock without driving? BottleRock runs official round-trip shuttles from San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San José, Fairfield, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Mill Valley, and Palo Alto—buses drop off near the festival gates. All Vine Transit is also free throughout Napa during festival weekend if you’re already in town.
Can I bring a blanket to sit on? Yes! Small to medium-sized blankets and beach towels are allowed at BottleRock to sit on, and it’s so nice to be able to sit on the designated area towards the back to rest. Chairs are not allowed.
Can you bring outside food or drinks? No outside food or drink is allowed. You can bring an empty reusable bottle to fill at the free water stations inside.
Those are my BottleRock 2026 tips and picks—now I just need it to actually be May 22. If you’re going, I want to know who’s on your must-see list! Drop it in the comments or find me on Insta (@wtfab) 😉
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
