Lionel Richie Headlines and Festival Napa Valley Raises Record-Setting $4.5 Million at Arts for All Gala, July 14

Festival Napa Valley raised a record-setting $4.5 million at its Arts for All Gala on Sunday, July 14. Proceeds fund inspiring education programs, free and affordable concerts, and scholarships. To date, the annual Gala has raised over $28 million, making it one of the nation’s most impactful fundraisers for education and the arts.

Held at Nickel & Nickel Winery in Oakville, the gala evening was headlined by international superstar Lionel Richie, who brought his soulful voice and charisma to the Festival Napa Valley stage, drawing guests to their feet to dance and sing along to his timeless megahits. Guests enjoyed an elegant dinner prepared by chef Elliot Bell, owner of Charlie’s in St. Helena, together with Componere Culinary & Events, single vineyard wines provided by Nickel & Nickel Winery, Dolce, and champagne provided by Taittinger.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when the Napa High School Chamber Choir performed with Grammy-winning trio Time for Three, highlighting Festival Napa Valley’s year-round programs in public schools.

“We are grateful for our generous donors and sponsors who made this year’s Arts for All Gala such a monumental success,” said vintner Leslie Frank, gala chair and Festival board member. “Together, we are making a profound impact on the quality of life in Napa Valley and beyond.”

The evening’s top lot was a bespoke all-electric Maserati GranCabrio Folgore “Tignanello” created for Marchesi Antinori exclusively for the Gala and in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Tignanello wine.

Other top lots included a Festival Napa Valley-hosted trip to Japan during cherry blossom season which generated spirited bidding and more than 30 participants; a 4-night getaway to Bordeaux and Milan with iconic jewelry brand Pomellato; a luxurious grand tour of France as a guest of Opus One; a once-in-a-lifetime food and wine experience with renowned chef Massimo Bottura in his hometown of Modena, Italy; an invitation to the legendary Dolce&Gabbana Alta Moda; and a private concert with rising star Matteo Bocelli and dinner featuring Tusk Estate wines at Solage Resort & Spa.

Fabulous buy-a-spot lots included a luncheon hosted by vintner Kathryn Walt Hall and daughter Jennifer Brown at Hall’s Rutherford home, a gourmet BBQ at Alpha Omega Winery hosted by Festival Board Chair Robin Baggett, and a private concert and dinner with international superstar Kate Hudson at Tusk Estates.

Other glamourous lots included red carpet access and orchestra-level seats to the 76th Annual Emmy® Awards followed by attendance to the Television Academy Governors’ Gala; premier seats to the 2025 Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony in Washington, D.C. with access to the exclusive Opening Act pre-ceremony dinner and the post-performance celebration; and a private evening at Far Niente hosted by proprietress Beth Nickel with dinner by Chef Cindy Pawlcyn of Mustards Grill.

Lionel Richie helped the fundraising with a popup lot, offering VIP tickets to his Las Vegas residency and an invitation to join him backstage after the Gala to thank the winners. The package sold twice.

Bringing the auction to an impactful close, Nan Parks kicked off the record-breaking Fund a Need with a pledge of $400,000. The Meritage Resort & Spa pledged a $250,000 match on the spot and was joined by a $100,000 pledge from longtime Festival benefactor Maria Manetti Shrem. By the time bidding was over, more than $1.2 million in Fund a Need pledges were raised, double last year’s record.

Festival Napa Valley’s 19^th summer season takes place July 5-20, 2025.  The Arts for All Gala is part of the Festival’s Patron Experience and will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2025.  A limited number of passes for the 2025 summer season are available by reservation starting July 22, 2024.