The festival will take place from the 8th to the 12th July.
Henley Festival has announced details of its 2026 edition which includes musical performances, comedy and art as well as dining, drinks, dancing and spectacular fireworks shows.
Taking to the floating stage this year, headliners are set to include: Boy George & Culture Club, Sugababes, Lulu, and Alex James’ Britpop Classical.
Comedy will come from performers such as Alan Davies, Russell Kane, Suzi Ruffell, Julian Clary, which will help to form a world-class music programme of pop, world, classical, folk and jazz.
As the UK’s only black-tie music and arts festival, Henley Festival was founded more than 40 years ago to support the next generation of talent through its RISE programme. As part of the Festival’s incredible line-up, the RISE stage gives a unique platform for emerging musicians and visual artists, as well offering opportunities for young people aspiring to work behind the scenes.
The full programme for the 2026 festival is as follows:
FLOATING STAGE HEADLINERS
BOY GEORGE & CULTURE CLUB | SUGABABES
LULU | BJÖRN AGAIN
ALEX JAMES’ BRITPOP CLASSICAL
And on Sunday… | BOOTLEG BEATLES
PURE HEAVEN – The Festival Club
Ezra Collective | Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems
COMEDY at the Paradiso & Riverside
ALAN DAVIES | RUSSELL KANE
GEOFF NORCOTT | SUZI RUFFELL | JULIAN CLARY
Audi Presents RISE Music
Creating opportunities for emerging talent to learn, perform and flourish
LLINOS EMANUEL | THE PUBLIC EYE | EMRE | 3 DAYS OF WONDER
CHARLOTTE CAMPBELL | TONY MAC | BRUNA GARCIA | NATALIE MCCOOL
ADJUA | BLACK GLOSS WARDROBE | JACK BROWETT
JAZZ, SWING & CLASSICAL at the Paradiso
FLASH MOB JAZZ | THE MULBERRY EARLS | SAINT SIX
NATTY CONGEROO & THE FLAMES OF RHYTHM | BRAD KELLA | ACANTHA LANG
WORLD in the Bedouin Tent
DARWIN & THE FINCHES | THE DOMINOS | KATYA | ALEX FRANCIS
LEILA MCKENZIE | JG COLLECTIVE | REMI BANKYLN
VINCE FREEMAN | ST CATHERINE’S CHILD | FRESH COLLECTIVE
VISUAL ARTS in Henley Festival’s Galleries & Sculpture Garden
I SPY CONTEMPORARY | SAZ CHAMBERLAIN
GILL STORR ART | AD LIB GALLERY | ROCK LEGENDS LIVE
THE ARTISTS’ POOL | DRANG GALLERY | AMBER GALLERIES
RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize Finalists
PLAYDATE @ Henley Festival
EXCITING SCIENCE | GEM’S PIRATE PARTY, FROM CBEEBIES SWASHBUCKLE
TWEEDY’S MASSIVE SOLO SHOW | MC GRAMMAR | SHED OF STORIES
RAINDROPS ON ROSES | THE FIRE FIGHTERS | THE GIANT BALLOON SHOW | CIRCUS SKILLS
BUBBLES MAN | PARTY POPPERS | FACE PAINTING 4 ALL | GILDED SKIN ART
WALLY WONKY | ABBEY SCHOOL ART WORKSHOP | TOMMY’S DOODLE JAM
Introducing… Early RISErs
Talking about the news, Jo Bausor, CEO of Henley Festival said: “Henley Festival creates the most special, unforgettable experiences. From emerging artists to established headliners, performances are pure joy – buzzy, energetic and certain to have everyone on their feet until the early hours. We are delighted to continue supporting the next generation of talent with the RISE programme – from Audi Presents RISE Music to visual arts to Hemani’s Early RISErs – it is so exciting to contribute to the creative journeys of both new and returning artists. This year’s starry line up promises to continue this fantastic atmosphere, and whether you’re a newcomer or returning, it is not only our performers but our audience who bring the glamour and feel-good factor. Dressed up in black-tie from sequins to suits, dancing to your favourite artists in a beautiful riverside setting, all festival-goers love how they can be part of the spectacle themselves.”
To find out more visit: https://henley-festival.co.uk/