Henley Festival 2016

The black tie event Henley Festival billed as 'The UK's Most Magical Summer Party' returns to Henley On Thames bringing music, visual arts, fashion, street theatre, comedy and fine dining for 5,000.

The 34th festival by the Thames takes place from Wednesday 6th until Sunday 10th July 2016, culminating in a firework spectacular.

Line-up

Elton John and his band will headline on Wednesday. Elvis Costello & The Imposters will keep the party going on Thursday night when they take to the floating stage. Friday night will see the festival return to its classical roots with Welsh Opera singer Bryn Terfel performing with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra and Alma Deutscher. Dame Shirley Bassey and Blake will appear on Saturday 9th.

Will Young will bring Henley Festival to a momentous close on the Sunday night of Family Day, where kids can enjoy festival site and interact with children’s entertainers, musicians, comedians and street entertainers including Beatbox star Shlomo, comedy from Jay Foreman, and leading circus company, Upswing as well as taking part in crafting sessions and making art.

Bill Wyman & Mick Taylor with The Ben Waters Band, Natalie Williams Soul Family ft Sharlene Hector, Jose Feliciano, Eliane Correa, and Shakatak have been announced for the new PizzaExpress Live Stage. Each night the stage will also host an ACM Artists, and a Digital Cabaret featuring Feeding the Fish, Addictive TV, and Hoops in Motion.

Elsewhere Sera Owen, Richard Navarro, Dilys, J P Nyman Band, TEYR, Sam Green & The Midnight Heist, Discovered, Dr Schwamp, Esther Turner, and William The Conqueror have been added to The Bedouin Stage line-up.

This year's comedy line-up and guest include Al Murray, Reginald D Hunter, Nina Conti, Dillie Keane, Richard Herring, Adam Kay, The Boy With Tape On His Face, Hal Cruttenden, Simon Evans, Frisky & Mannish, Lili La Scala, The Pin, Sam Simmons, Jonny Awsum, Eleanor Tiernan, Chris Kent, and Jess Robinson.

Tickets

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Tickets are priced from £35.

All proceeds will be going to The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts.

More info

As well as a programme of Digital Cabaret & Street Theatre. New for 2016, will be jazz club Ronnie Scott’s who will be making the festival their home for the full five days. Festival goers will be treated to the full Ronnie Scott’s experience, seated at cabaret style tables they will be able to watch performances by The Ronnie Scott's All Stars under the guidance of Jazz maestro James Pearson while waiters discretely serve cocktails and food.

Another new addition is the arrival of the New Music Stage. Taking over the newly erected big top, Henley Festival will showcase up and coming talent with a five day programme of unsigned acts taking place before the floating stage performance each night.

Nightclub Heaven will also be bringing their sister club Pure to the festival, kicking off the dancing each night as soon as the headline act finishes on the floating stage.

For the gastronomic ths festival will also host Michelin starred chef Daniel Clifford at the Riverside Restaurant, Paul Clerehugh at the Crooked Billet, as well as Hasan & Bashir at Spice Merchant Pop-Up , and a selection of street food at The Top.

Accommodation

This event does not have camping but there are a number of hotels, hostels and guest houses in the area.

With events in five venues, the Henley Festival offers an unprecedented opportunity to experience great performance in a magical Thames-side setting. The gates open at 6pm nightly, and 6.30pm on Sunday.

Master Chefs

As well as world-class musical performances on the floating stage, the Henley Festival offers Michelin starred dining. Black tie guests can enjoy a candlelight dinner from award-winning chefs at their atmospheric riverside restaurant. Food is also offered elsewhere with six restaurants on site offering multiple culinary choices.

Charity

All net profits go to the Henley Festival charitable projects. Under the banner of 'Arts Inspiring Lives', The Henley Festival promotes year round community projects, with the aim of providing experiences via the arts to groups that may not otherwise have access.

More information will be here when available.

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