There’s nothing more magical than a summer evening — the warm breeze, the vibrant sunsets, the carefree vibe. Summer evenings are even better in Yolo County, where you can sip wine, listen to music, catch an outdoor movie, and enjoy great food.
To take full advantage of the longer days and warmer weather, many wineries, breweries and other spots in Yolo County have extended hours in the summer. In addition, there are numerous community events to enjoy, from free concerts and outdoor movies to evening farmers’ markets and yoga.
If you’re looking to take advantage of everything Yolo County has to offer (after the heat of the day has passed) consider one of these evening activities. You can even consider making a weekend of it by taking advantage of the many lodging specials in Yolo County.
Sip Local Yolo County Wine
Many wineries in Yolo County have extended hours on summer weekends so you can sip and savor as the sun goes down! Some even offer live music and food trucks. One of the region’s largest wine events is the Yolo Wine Night , to be held September 6 in Clarksburg. The evening starts out with wine tasting from 14 Yolo County wineries in one location, followed by live music, wine and beer by the glass, and food.
Enjoy Live Music in Yolo County
If you’re a music lover, you’ve got plenty of options in Yolo County this summer. Wineries, breweries, and other local spots are offering outdoor concerts throughout the season, including the following:
- Music at the Mill at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, second Thursdays through August.
- Live Music Fridays at Great Bear Vineyards in Davis, select Fridays through summer.
- Food Trucks & Music at Matchbook Wines in Zamora, select Fridays through October.
- Delta Nights at Heringer Estates in Clarksburg, first and third Fridays through July.
- Live Music at Berryessa Brewing Company in Winters, Friday nights.
- Rhythm on the River at Drakes: The Barn in West Sacramento, 5:30–9 p.m. on the last Thursdays of the month through August.
- Summer Concerts at the Gazebo in Winters, Thursdays from 7–9 p.m. through August.
- Friday Night Music in Winters, Fridays 6–8:30 p.m. through October.
- Live Music at Hooby’s Brewing in Winters and Hooby’s Farm in Davis, most weekend nights through summer.
- Music in the Park at Grindstone Wines, 6–9 p.m. fourth Fridays through October.
Farm-to-Table Dinners in Yolo County This Summer
Yolo County is known for its abundance of fresh-from-the-farm food, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of ways to indulge this summer. Following are some local spots where you can dine under the stars
- Polestar Farms in Esparto hosts monthly dinners featuring whatever happens to be in season. In June, it’s the apricot. Past dinners have focused on tomatoes, butternut squash, and other delights.
- Full Belly Farms in Guinda also hosts monthly farm dinners, as well as pizza nights on Fridays.
- Berryessa Gap Vineyards in Winters hosts themed dinners on the fourth Friday of the month. Upcoming dinners include jambalaya and paella.
Catch an Outdoor Movie in Yolo County
There’s something special about watching an outdoor movie during the summertime. Several spots around Yolo County are hosting outdoor movie nights for adults and kids alike. All you need is a blanket or a comfy chair!
- Movie Nights in the Vines, Bogle Winery, select Fridays through October.
- Barnflix, Drakes: The Barn, First Fridays through October.
- Family Movie Night at Hotel Winters, Mondays and Tuesdays through September.
Evening Farmers’ Markets & Vendor Events in Yolo County
Davis Farmers’ Market & Picnic in the Park: In addition to the renowned Sunday farmers’ market, the city of Davis also has a farmers’ market on Wednesday evenings in Central Park. Held from 4–8 p.m. through September, “Picnic in the Park” offers much more than fresh fruits and veggies. There are also prepared food vendors, local beer and wine, live music, and activities for kids.
Night Markets at Drakes: The Barn. If it’s locally made, artisan goods you’re after, you’ll find it at a series of night markets held at Drakes: The Barn in West Sacramento. The kid- and dog-friendly Starry Night Market is held from 7–11 p.m. on select Fridays through October, and SacTown’s Finest Market is held 7–11 p.m. on select Saturdays.
Other Things to Do in Yolo County This Summer
Sunset Yoga. Looking to get fit while enjoying a Yolo County evening? Consider taking a sunset yoga class at Drakes: The Barn in West Sacramento. The hour-long classes are held every other Tuesday, and although the start time changes according to when the sun goes down, they usually begin anywhere between 7–8 p.m. They also have evening yoga at Great Bear Vineyards in Davis on select Wednesdays from 6–9 p.m.
ArtAbout in Davis, held from 5–9 p.m. on the second Friday of every month, is a self-guided art walk at local galleries in downtown Davis. Visitors can attend receptions, openings, and other art-centric events while enjoying live music.
Enjoy Summer Evenings in Yolo County
There’s nothing better than a summer evening spent outdoors — unless, of course, you’re doing so in Yolo County! From wine tasting to live music, outdoor movies to yoga, there’s always something going on in Yolo County. Consider treating yourself to a weekend getaway in Yolo County and book your trip today!
