The Insider’s Guide to Henley Festival 2026

Henley Festival returns for 2026 with another glamorous riverside celebration, with Boy George & Culture Club, Sugababes, Lulu, Alex James’ Britpop Classical and Bootleg Beatles leading a spectacular five-night programme on the Thames.

What Is Henley Festival?

Henley Festival is the UK’s only black-tie music and arts festival, transforming Henley-on-Thames into a world of music, art, comedy, dining and fireworks from 8–12 July 2026. Expect a world-class line-up spanning pop, world, classical, folk and jazz alongside award-winning comedy, roaming performers, galleries, a sculpture garden, late-night clubs and riverside feasting, all finished with signature firework displays.

More than an unmissable event, Henley Festival is also a charity with a mission to support the next generation of talent through its RISE programme, which offers emerging musicians, visual artists and aspiring backstage professionals a unique platform and real-world experience.

Festivals for grown-ups: the guide

When & Where?

• Dates: 8–12 July 2026
• Location: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
• Info & tickets: henley-festival.co.uk
• Social: #HenleyFestival | @henleyfestival

Floating Stage Headliners 2026

The iconic Floating Stage will host a stellar run of headline shows.

• Boy George & Culture Club
• Sugababes
• Lulu
• Björn Again
• Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra with very special guest, Laura Mvula
• Plus: Alex James’ Britpop Classical

Kicking off the Festival on the Floating Stage are Boy George & Culture Club. With careers spanning more than four decades, they became one of the UK’s biggest exports of the 20th century, reshaping music, fashion and art and scoring global hits including ‘Karma Chameleon’ and ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me’.

On Thursday, Sugababes bring some pop vibes to the river. Since forming in 1998, they have become one of the most successful and critically acclaimed British girl bands of the 21st century, with six Number One singles, multi-platinum albums and millions of worldwide sales. 

Friday belongs to the UK’s greatest female rock and roll legend, Lulu. From Eurovision glory and a Bond theme to an OBE, a sold-out Champagne for Lulu! tour and shows with Robbie Williams and Sir Rod Stewart, she remains one of Britain’s most cherished entertainers – and is currently recording a new album. ‘I can’t wait to perform at Henley Festival in the summer and to give them one hell of a show with all the hits and a few surprises!’ she says.

Ending Friday night on a high, Björn Again – the original Australian ABBA homage – brings its humorous, high-energy tribute to the Swedish supergroup. Created in 1988, the show has played thousands of performances around the world and is credited with kickstarting the global ABBA revival. ‘2026 marks Björn Again’s 38th anniversary and the show will definitely be another triumph,’ says creator Rod Stephen.

On Saturday, Blur’s Alex James fronts Alex James’ Britpop Classical, fusing era-defining 90s anthems with the power of a full orchestra. Featuring guest performances from Phil Daniels, Saffron (Republica) and Gary Stringer (Reef), it reimagines the songs that defined a generation in lush, symphonic style.

Closing the Festival on Sunday is Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra – the powerhouse big band of London’s legendary Soho club – who will be joined by very special guest Laura Mvula, the multi‑award‑winning, Mercury‑ and BRIT‑nominated singer‑songwriter, for a cinematic journey through jazz, soul and orchestral pop on the Henley riverside. Sunday will also feature the ultimate Beatles celebration, Bootleg Beatles. Formed from the West End cast of Beatlemania, they take audiences on a whistle-stop journey from the Cavern to the Apple rooftop, from early mop-top suits to Sgt Pepper technicolour, recreating every era with meticulous detail. ‘We last played Henley – the best dressed festival in the UK – in 2024… Looking forward to another great night!’ they say.

Insiders’ Tips

We head to Henley every year, and the best approach is to arrive with an open mind and prepare to be dazzled. If you’re not sure what to wear to Henley Festival, the UK’s only black tie festival, note that there is no such thing as over-dressed here. Whatever you wear, there will be someone in more headturning garms, someone with bigger hair, higher heels, a brighter jacket.

And on the note of heels; while the site is completely decked out for the festival, it’s best to avoid stilettos if you want to be able to run free and embrace the festival spirit – opt for block heels or flats.

The Moet vending machine is worth the novelty factor, and you should get your last round in at least 20 minutes before the headliner to avoid the crowds at the bars.

It’s one of the most intimate festivals to see some absolute superstars, so if one of your icons is on the line-up, get your tickets early. Here are some top tips from the festival organisers on what you shouldn’t miss this year. 

Suzanne Yeates, Festival Programme Director at Henley Festival

‘Make sure to visit Pure Heaven – the Festival Club – which will feature Mercury Prize winners and 2025 Brit Award Group of the Year, Ezra Collective, with their high energy fusion of afrobeat, hip-hop, soul and reggae, and iconic DJ Jo Whiley, with her 90s Anthems set. Late night performances will take place every evening in this venue, ensuring the party keeps on running!

‘New to the culinary scene at Henley Festival is Riverside Feasting, which is an exciting new addition to our iconic fine dining offerings at the Terrace Restaurant and Riverside Dining. Created by Jimmy Garcia, “London’s Pop-Up King”, this will be a delicious three-course feasting experience in the Riverside Marquee. To top it off, all three of these culinary experiences include late-night access to the exclusive resident DJ set and dance floor at the Riverside Social, where you can dance the night away.”’

Jo Bausor, CEO of Henley Festival

‘Henley Festival is the UK’s only black-tie festival and the dress code really is part of the festival’s DNA. Rather than being restrictive however, we really encourage everyone to embrace dressing up and become part of the show, part of the theatre – there really is no top to go over at Henley! Over the years we’ve welcomed a wide variety of spectacular gowns, colourful and patterned dinner jackets, national dress, themed head gear, and everything in between. It’s a wonderful chance to be individual and creative or indeed stick to a classic look, and it all adds to the sense of occasion that is Henley Festival. As CEO I feel it’s important to embody our dress code and whilst it might seem glamorous to wear a different gown on each of the five nights, in reality it takes a lot of planning – especially when road testing footwear, block heels always win!

‘I always encourage people to consider renting evening wear, as not only is it very cost effective and sustainable, I find it enables me to push the boundaries a little bit as I know I’m not going to end up with a very costly mistake hanging in my wardrobe for years (my go to rental sites are HURR and By Rotation).’

Pure Heaven – The Festival Club

Late-night hub Pure Heaven, The Festival Club, keeps the party going after the Floating Stage. On Wednesday, trailblazing London jazz outfit Ezra Collective bring the unifying power of dance, channelling the joyful, night-out narrative of their album Dance, No One’s Watching. On Thursday, the queen of the 90s, Jo Whiley, returns with Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems, rifling through her record bag for decade-defining indie, Britpop and dance classics.

• Ezra Collective
• Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems

Comedy At The Paradiso & Riverside

Henley’s comedy bill is as glittering as its music line-up, with a programme of award-winning comics performing at the Paradiso and Riverside. From Alan Davies – beloved for Jonathan Creek and QI – to Russell Kane’s high-octane stand-up, Geoff Norcott’s political punchlines, Suzi Ruffell’s quick-witted sets and Julian Clary’s iconic, flamboyant humour, expect big laughs beside the water.

• Alan Davies
• Shappi Khorsandi
• Russell Kane
• Geoff Norcott
• Suzi Ruffell
• Julian Clary

Audi Presents RISE Music

RISE, launched in 2022, is Henley Festival’s platform for emerging talent across music, visual arts and production, with artists performing on a dedicated stage, exhibiting in the RISE gallery and gaining backstage experience. Emma Ellis, Head of RISE programme development at Henley Festival told us: ‘Getting started as a musician, visual artist or a production assistant in the creative industries is notoriously difficult. Since 2022, Henley Festival has run RISE, a charitable programme using the festival as a platform to champion up-and-coming musicians, visual artists and production crew (sound, lighting, production).

‘Highlights of the charitable initiative include an art prize, a music prize and a brand-new Early RISErs section for young, local musicians and artists,’ Emma adds. ‘RISE makes sure all members of the programme are paid and provides contacts, support and exposure through a dedicated art gallery and stage, as well as full digital engagement. This year, we are seeing more RISE alumni returning to perform in other venues around the festival, gaining international art commissions and being offered permanent jobs in sound and lighting companies. It all goes to show how much we need to nurture the next generation of talent to guarantee the future of festivals, and anyone attending Henley Festival helps continue this crucial support.’

The 2026 Audi Presents RISE Music line-up includes: Llinos Emanuel, The Public Eye, Emre, 3 Days of Wonder, Charlotte Campbell, Tony Mac, Bruna Garcia, Natalie McCool, Adjua, Black Gloss Wardrobe and Jack Browett.

Jazz, Swing & Classical At The Paradiso

Henley’s Paradiso becomes an intimate jazz and swing club by night, with a week of live performances:

• Flash Mob Jazz
• The Mulberry Earls
• Saint Six
• Natty Congeroo & the Flames of Rhythm
• Brad Kella
• Acantha Lang

World & Folk In The Bedouin Tent

The Bedouin Tent offers a relaxed, bohemian mix of world and folk sounds, plus drinks and dancing. Expect everything from Chicago blues and indie folk to funk, soul and global influences.

• Darwin & The Finches
• The Dominos
• KATYA
• Alex Francis
• Leila McKenzie
• JG Collective
• Remi Bankyln
• Vince Freeman
• St Catherine’s Child
• Fresh Collective

Visual Arts

Visual arts are central to the Henley experience, with galleries and a Sculpture Garden filled with fine art, ceramics, photography, prints and installations. Exhibitors include I Spy Contemporary, Saz Chamberlain, Gill Storr Art, Ad Lib Gallery, Rock Legends Live, The Artists’ Pool, Drang Gallery and Amber Galleries.

The finalists of the RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize, established in 2025, receive a monetary award and the chance to exhibit in the RISE gallery, spotlighting trailblazing new voices in visual art.

Playdate At Henley Festival

On Sunday, Playdate at Henley Festival takes over the riverside with a packed programme for families. Highlights include Exciting Science and Gem’s Pirate Party in the Paradiso; Tweedy’s Massive Solo Show and MC Grammar at the Big Top; plus the Shed of Stories, Raindrops on Roses, The Fire Fighters, The Giant Balloon Show, Circus Skills, Doodle Jam with Tommy Gurr, Face Painting 4 All, Gilded Skin Art, an Abbey School Art Workshop and more on the Riverside Lawn. Hemani also supports Early RISErs, a new programme for under-18s.

Fireworks

Each evening ends in spectacular style with a bespoke firework display by Titanium Fireworks, the team behind some of the UK’s biggest shows, from London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. Henley is the only music festival they work with, a fittingly dazzling finale to five magical nights on the river.

Find out more and book your tickets at henley-festival.co.uk