Henley Festival 2023: Your ultimate guide to the event featuring Westlife and Rag’n’Bone Man

Henley Festival returns this week for another spectacular five days of music and arts on the riverside in Henley-on-Thames.

Previous artists at the event have included Tom Jones, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Boy George, Craig David, and Jessie J, to name a few.

Organisers say “art and gastronomy share equal billing with music”.

So what is Henley Festival 2023, when is it, who is headlining, and how can you get tickets?

Here’s your ultimate guide:

What is Henley Festival?

Henley Festival is a boutique black-tie music, comedy, and feasting event held annually.

It was first held in 1982 and attracts around 25,000 people every year.

The event made headlines last year after Theresa May (a resident of Henley-on-Thames) was spotted enjoying Craig David’s set on the day her successor as prime minister, Boris Johnson (previously an MP for Henley), resigned.

Organisers say the festival offers the best UK and international music and arts, delicious food, and laugh-out-loud comedy.

The festival is held every July on the bank of the river Thames, Berkshire.

It is often seen as the precursor to the popular Henley Royal Regatta. Tens of thousands of people descend on the town for champagne, good music, and a who’s who on the social scene.

When is Henley Festival 2023?

Henley Festival 2023 runs from Wednesday, July 5 until Sunday, July 9.

Who’s performing at and headlining Henley Festival 2023?

Headliners, who will be performing at the event’s Floating Stage, announced for Henley Festival 2023 include Westlife, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, and Rag’n’Bone Man.

They will be joined by Boney M, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, The Kanneh-Mason Trio, and Robyn, Also performing are Ministry of Sound Classical, featuring a DJ set of dance classics including an impressive 30-piece orchestra.

There will also be plenty of laughs on offer, with comedy provided by Jo Brand, Marcus Brigstocke, Adam Kay, and Chris McCausland.

Other venues include the Spiegel Tent & Jazz Club and the Bedouin Tent featuring world and folk music.

How do I get tickets for Henley Festival 2023?

Tickets can be purchased at the event website and, at the time of writing, there were a limited amount available for all five days.

General admission tickets cost from £75 (plus a six per cent booking fee) per day, with lawn tickets £60 and grandstand tickets between £70 and £160. Lawn tickets are sold out for the first day.

Younger partygoers have not been forgotten, either. Tickets for Playtime @ Henley Festival! are £5 per child and £10 to £12 per adult, or £35 for a family ticket. Entry to the evening concert is not included.

For more information, visit the event website here. However, when the Standard tried to access this on July 4, there were repeated error messages.

You can therefore call 01491 843400 for ticket information.