Jetty Review:
The Henley Festival is a perennial favourite of mine and I’ve been going for the last 12 years (excluding the Covid years of course).
This year it was their 40th Anniversary year, so it was bigger and better than ever, culminating with a 40th Anniversary Celebratory Evening featuring Katherine Jenkins, Jack Savoretti (be still my beating heart) and an outstanding fireworks event to round off the night. Acts throughout the week included The Script, Tom Jones (which I couldn’t get a ticket for, you have to be early for the icons), Boney M, Craig David and Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics with the heritage Orchestra and Jules Buckley – so as you can see, something for everyone.
I recommend you get their early to enjoy everything before the headliners get started. This is another excellent people watching event in the Festival itself and the many boats which cruise up and down the Thames having their own parties.
As well as the floating stage acts, there are lots of other acts which you can catch in the pop-up venues dotted around the Festival. There are lots of food options. You can pack a picnic, book a table at one of the Festival restaurants, graze from the many food wagons around or eat before you go.
If you’re a member of the esteemed Leander Club, you can also book a meal there too (great if it’s likely to rain). I particularly love the pop-up art galleries and ‘street’ entertainers which are eclectic and often surprising.
Whilst this is undoubtedly another premium event, Henley Festival is typical British eccentricity at it’s best and by making it Black Tie, the occasion feels extremely special. It remains one of my favourite occasions and I can’t wait to see what they have instore for 2023, although be warned, it also clashes with British Summer Time 2023 Hyde Park which includes some of the all time greats such as Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel.
Jetty ratings:
The event takes place Wednesday 5th July – 9th July 2023.
Tickets for 2023 will be available in the
spring : https://henley-festival.co.uk/about/
