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Rustle out your DJ as the UK’s most glamorous festival, the Henley Festival presented by Westcoast returns to the banks of the River Thames in July 2025.
Expect Michelin star chefs, lots of bubbly, a great trend in formal dresses, award winning comedy and famous bands to join in the music festival that is as close to the Great Gatsby as you can get this side of the Pond.
The first Henley Festival was held around 40 years ago as a classical music charitable event, and the not-for-profit ethos remains to this day with proceeds supporting both national and local charities.
Henley Festival Line Up 2025
Henley Festival Music
Festival organisers have confirmed the following schedule at the Floating Stage.
9 July: Diana Ross
10 July: McFly
11 July: Rick Astley
12 July: Hacienda Classical
13 July: Matteo Bocelli | Jamie Cullum
Comedy
Henley is not just about great music, fine cuisine and champagne. The comedy line up for Henley 2025 includes: Avo Graham, Ed Byrne and Matt Forde
Food at the Henley Festival
A bespoke menu will be prepared exclusively for Henley festivalgoers at the Riverside Restaurant. Other foodie options typically include: Garden Bistro by Jimmy Garcia, Oink, Hotel Chocolat, Black Cab Coffee, Jessecco Prosecco.
Henley Rise
The festival’s RISE project supports the next generation of talent to perform on a national stage. This year KATYA, Louise Parker, Alex Francis, Eden Hunter, The Multiverse, The Great Leslie and The Wave Machine will appear on the RISE stage.
Henley Family Sunday
Sunday is family day. Glitter face painting, eccentric comedy and interactive performance art will ensure the kids are entertained while mum and dad, or dad and dad enjoy themselves.
Henley Festival Dress Code
The Festival is the only black-tie festival in the UK. Organisers say you can never be overdressed at Henley. There is no dress code for the Sunday family event, so you don’t have to find a min-Tux for the little’uns.
A full list of what is happening at the festival can be found here.
When is the 2025 Festival?
9 to 13 July.
Where is the Henley Festival 2025?
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK.
Tickets for Henley Festival
Details can be found here.
Getting to Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is only six miles from Reading, which has a direct fast service to London Paddington (20 minutes). Alternatively Henley-on-Thames station is about an hour’s ride from London Paddington, with a ten-minute walk to the festival. If coming by car take either the M4 (junction 8/9), or the M40 (Junction 4). Or of course, you could just turn up by boat.
Things to do in Henley-on-Thames
A picturesque market town, Henley-on-Thames is 25 miles from Oxford, and London a train ride away. Surrounded by the rolling hills of the Chilterns – an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty –Henley-on-Thames makes an ideal London weekend getaway.
More information on the Festival
For further information about the Festival, click here.
