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HENLEY FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH A BANG

The UK’s Only Black Tie Music & Arts Festival Brings Explosive Entertainment, Fine Dining and Fireworks this July

Henley Festival returns this month (10-14 July) with music - including Nicole Scherzinger, Sam Ryder and Gladys Knight’s last ever performance - comedy, art, fine dining, cabaret, spectacular fireworks over Thames riverside and a Family Day on 14 July for all ages.

The UK’s only black tie music and arts festival is back, with its luxe antidote to wellies and wet wipes, set on the beautiful riverside in Henley-on-Thames.

Over five days, Blighty’s most fancy festival will bring you music from stars like Nicole Scherzinger - fresh from her West End residency on Sunset Boulevard - Dave Stewart’s Eurthymics Songbook, and violin alchemist Nigel Kennedy.

Big name comedy stars will also be bringing the LOLS, from Dara O’Briain and Sara Pascoe to Mark Watson and Angela Barnes.

DJs including BBC R ’n’ B champion Trevor Nelson and Rylan will be keeping the party going, when the sun goes down.

And there will be no sad, grey burgers at this well-heeled festival. From fine dining to street food, Henley has become the foodies festival.

Expect a gaggle of pop-up bars and restaurants studding the riverside, including the big return of Dish, offering five course fine dining, as well as the Moet Champagne Lawn, to toast the festival over the Thames.

Guests can also enjoy innovative installations curated by some of the UK’s most celebrated artists, photographers and galleries. This year’s Festival Galleries Sculpture Garden and Thames banks will be brimming with fine art, ceramics, sculptures, photography, prints and paintings by artists including Haut de Gamme, The Barker Gallery, Panter & Hall and world-renowned artists Tommy Gurr and Nina Brooke.

Playdate at Henley Festival will take over the riverside on Sunday with a fizzing line-up, including Shelva, the giant tortoise, a live Doodle Jam spray painting session with Tommy Gurr; musical comedian Jonny Awsum’s award-winning kids show; and Marcel Loucont’s wild interactive game show, Les Enfants Terribles.

There's also mind-boggling magic, roaming entertainers, Punch and Judy; crazy time-travelling magician Professor Strange performing mind-blowing magic and circus tricks on his giant tricycle; balloon modelling with a difference; the surreal Hocus Pocus Clowns; juggling, dancing and entertaining duo Pemberton and Hague; and a nostalgic food adventure with the 60’s and 70’s themed Kitsch Kafé.

Founded as a charity more than 40 years ago, Henley Festival’s mission is to support the next generation of talent. The Festival’s RISE line-up will once again give a platform for young musicians, comedians and visual artists to take their first steps on stage, as well offering opportunities for young people aspiring to work behind the scenes.

Each evening the festival is closed in explosive style, with a fireworks display exclusively designed by pyrotechnic wizards at Titanium Fireworks - they’re the team behind some of the UK’s biggest firework shows in the last decade, from The Mayor of London New Year’s Eve celebrations, to the London 2012 Olympics, so expect all the oohs and aahs.

Henley Festival, Leander Club, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2LP. 10-14 July 2024. Tickets from £80pp on Wed-Sunday. £45 for a family group ticket (max 4 adult/min 1 child 3-17 yrs) for Playdate at Henley Festival on 14 July from 10am - 1.30pm