A multi-day music festival planned for the Calistoga Fairgrounds in October won’t be moving forward, according to the city.

Interim Calistoga City Manager Mitch Celaya announced at a City Council meeting Tuesday, May 12, that festival producers Ripe Productions LLC — a collaboration between Calistoga resident Gary Himelfarb and winemaker Seth Cripe — had canceled the festival that was set to come to the 70-acre fairgrounds for the first time in October, and during the fall over at least four subsequent years.

“Please stay tuned for updates on that, as we are looking at how to fill that spot,” Celaya said at the meeting.

The Calistoga City Council in November 2025 approved an exclusive five-year license that would allow the two- or three-day rock festival to take place at the fairgrounds each fall.

City staff at the time said the festival would help to revitalize the fairgrounds — which the city purchased from Napa County for $2 million in 2024 — and draw visitors and businesses to Calistoga. The city was also set to directly benefit from the festival by collecting a $12,500 base fee per day plus a percentage of ticket sales once attendance exceeded 3,500.

The city is still in the midst of revitalizing the fairgrounds property, which has seen a carnival, sprint car races and several other events since the city took ownership.

Celaya said at the May 12 council meeting the city would host a free safety day event at the fairgrounds — including a bike rodeo, a rescue helicopter landing, safety demonstrations and more — on May 14. The free second annual Calistoga Ag Fair and Wine Competition is scheduled to take place at the fairgrounds on Saturday, May 23. It will include community exhibits, food, live music, animals, a pickup and tractor show and the wine competition awards, according to Celaya.