Henley Festival 2026 highlights: Five nights of unforgettable performances and festival moments

Henley Festival 2025 highlights

Henley Festival 2026 brought five unforgettable nights of music, comedy, arts and entertainment to the banks of the Thames, with world-class performers, emerging talent and spectacular riverside celebrations creating a unique summer experience.

From headline performances on the iconic Floating Stage to late-night sets in the Festival Club, each evening offered its own memorable moments. Explore our day-by-day highlights and photo galleries capturing the atmosphere, performances and highlights from this year’s festival.

Day 1: Boy George & Culture Club open Henley Festival in spectacular style

Temperatures soared on the banks of the Thames as Henley Festival, the UK’s only black-tie music and arts festival, opened its five-night celebration with a spectacular evening of live music, comedy and culture.

Headlining the opening night on the festival’s iconic Floating Stage were the legendary Boy George & Culture Club, who delighted the sell-out audience with classic hits including Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want to Hurt Me. The night continued in the Festival Club, where Mercury Prize-winning jazz ensemble Ezra Collective delivered a high-energy late-night performance.

Beyond the headline acts, festivalgoers enjoyed comedy from Alan Davies, live performances by Darwin and the Finches, Flash Mob Jazz and The Dominos, alongside fine dining, dancing, large-scale visual art installations, riverside sculptures and a spectacular fireworks display over the Thames.

The opening night also showcased emerging talent through the festival’s RISE programme, its charitable initiative supporting the next generation of artists. Performances included award-winning soprano Emily Wishart, jazz-pop singer-songwriter Llinos Emanuel, and Derby alt-rock band The Public Eye.

Day 2: Sugababes bring pop brilliance to the Floating Stage

Another hot and sunny evening set the scene as Henley Festival 2026 continued with a vibrant second night of music, comedy and entertainment along the Thames. Headlining the iconic Floating Stage were the Sugababes, who brought pop brilliance to the festival with a hit-filled performance featuring fan favourites including About You Now and Push the Button.

The crowd danced the night away as the acclaimed British girl group delivered a set packed with nostalgia and energy. Later, festival favourite and long-running radio DJ Jo Whiley took over the Festival Club, Pure Heaven, with a celebration of 90s anthems that kept the party going.

The evening’s programme also featured comedy from Shappi Khorsandi, alongside performances from The Mulberry Earls and returning former RISE artists Katya and Alex Francis. The festival’s RISE programme, which supports the next generation of creative talent, continued to showcase exciting emerging performers.

Day two’s RISE line-up included classical singer Josephine Shaw, indie-pop artist Emre, and Devon-based alt-rock band 3 Days of Wonder, adding to another memorable night of music and entertainment at Henley Festival.

Day 3: Lulu and Björn Again bring classic hits to the Floating Stage

The sun continued to shine over the Thames as Henley Festival 2026 reached its third day, with another spectacular evening of music, comedy and entertainment at the UK’s only black-tie music and arts festival.

Opening the iconic Floating Stage, pop legend Lulu delighted festivalgoers with a set packed with timeless classics, including Shout, Relight My Fire, The Man with the Golden Gun and Eurovision-winning favourite Boom Bang-A-Bang. The celebrations continued with internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute band Björn Again, who brought their signature energy and disco-inspired show to the riverside audience.

The star-studded crowd included Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke, Capital Radio’s Jordan North, broadcaster Chris Tarrant, and Sugababes’ Siobhan Donaghy, who had headlined the festival the previous evening. Comedy fans were also entertained by a performance from Russell Kane.

The evening’s emerging talent was showcased through Henley Festival’s RISE programme, supporting the next generation of musicians and visual artists. Performances came from Leila McKenzie, JG Collective, Saint Six, singer-songwriter Charlotte Campbell, indie-rock guitarist Tony Mac, and R&B artist Bruna Garcia, adding another memorable chapter to this year’s festival.

All images courtesy of photographers Garry Jones and James Robinson.