The Henley Festival is celebrating 30 years at the heart of the English summer season with a line up like never before, staged once again at the unique location on the banks of the River Thames. As well as the headline acts, black-tie revelers can enjoy candlelit dining at the award-winning riverside restaurant by Chefs Albert and Michel Roux Jr, or have a more relaxed bite at one of the festival’s six other brasseries and pavilions.
Along the riverbank world-class acts from the worlds of jazz, opera, pop, theatre, comedy and cabaret entertain, while pop-up art boutiques and sculpture lawns bring major galleries and artists to the five-night festival. The headline festivities end each night with a dazzling firework display around 10 pm before partygoers dance into the night at the Festival’s resident nightclub. All profits go to charity.
Confirmed headline acts include Sting, who will be opening the festival on July 4, opera sensation Katherine Jenkins on July 5, biggest-selling classical artists Laura Wright and acclaimed tenor Alfie Boe, as well as co-writer of the Olivier award winning musical Matilda, Tim Minchin, on July 6. Sixties-songstress Lulu, joined by Peridot, The London Community Gospel Choir and boy band Blue will take to the stage on July 7.
While X-Factor finalist Olly Murs will be closing Festival on July 8, opera singer and Les Miserables star Alfie Boe said, “I’m very much looking forward to playing at the Henley Festival. I have played it once before three years ago and it’s like the last night of the Proms. But it will be different this time because it’s my own show.”
Henley-on-Thames is 60 minutes by train or 10 minutes by helicopter to the Festival’s helipad from London. England’s answer to the Hamptons is overlooked by the beautiful Chiltern landscape of wooded hills and green fields, ideal for walks and picnics. Many guests choose to make a weekend of it and stay in one of the many five-star hotels, quaint bed and breakfasts, spas or guesthouses.
For tickets, visit Henley-Festival.co.uk.
