The Henley Festival line-up for 2025 has been announced. Set against the stunning Henley-on-Thames riverside, with its unique Floating Stage, this year’s festival spans five unmissable summer nights. Headliners include Diana Ross, McFly, Rick Astley, Matteo Bocelli, Jamie Cullum, Hacienda Classical, Ellie Sax, Jo Whiley’s Festival Anthems, and Yolanda Brown’s Bob Marley Songbook. Enjoy comedy from Ed Byrne, Ivo Graham, and many more! Tickets go on public sale on Thursday, February 6th.

Diana Ross proudly presents the majestic 2025 ‘A Symphonic Celebration’, opening this year’s Henley Festival on the Floating Stage. For the first time ever, she will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, surrounding her legendary voice in a world of splendour, love, and music. The opening night will feature a full orchestral arrangement of timeless hits, including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “Upside Down,” “I’m Coming Out,” and many more.

On Thursday, English pop rock band McFly take to The Floating Stage, playing hits from their breakthrough single Five Colours in Her Hair to 2023’s full-force rock album Power to Play. The past 21 years has seen the band score seven number one singles, seven Top 10 albums, multiple platinum certifications and a Brit Award for Best British Pop – and still remain the youngest band to ever have a debut album go straight to number one (outranking The Beatles!).

Following Diana Ross on the Wednesday and McFly on the Thursday the world-renowned saxophonist Ellie Sax will be in the festival’s late night club Pure Heaven with her trademark electrifying performance.

For all the 80’s fans out there, Henley Festival is welcoming iconic singer-songwriter Rick Astley on Friday evening, accompanied by an epic big swing band. Astley needs little introduction—his era-defining classic “Never Gonna Give You Up” topped charts worldwide, propelling him to eight consecutive UK Top 10 hits and 40 million sales. His latest album, “Are We There Yet?”, was released in 2023 and peaked at number two on the UK album chart. Throughout his career, Astley has performed at numerous iconic venues, including the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2023, and headlined multiple world tours, including a sold-out tour in 2024.

As the sun goes down on Friday night, one of the UK’s most influential radio DJs Jo Whiley will fill Pure Heaven with festival anthems for late night revellers.

Prepare for a mind-blowing musical experience as Hacienda Classical kicks off Saturday night’s Floating Stage performances. The show combines the spirit of the club with the timeless sounds of classic dance tracks. Carefully curated by Graeme Park these iconic reinterpretations of floor-filling dance anthems will be brought to life by the Manchester Camerata Orchestra, alongside vocalists and special guests.

On the final evening of Henley Festival, the Floating Stage will host two incredible musical talents to close out the five days of performances. First, global music sensation Matteo Bocelli will take the stage as part of his European 2025 tour, Summer Nights. As the son and occasional collaborator of renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, Matteo has graced some of the world’s biggest stages. His debut performance at age 18 was at Rome’s Colosseum, and he later sold out the Sydney Opera House during his A Night With Matteo tour.

He said, “I’m so delighted to be invited to perform at this year’s Henley Festival. I love coming to the UK. People here know how to have a good time and it’s always a very warm welcome. Let’s just hope the British weather is kind!”

Rounding out the Festival is acclaimed singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jamie Cullum, known for his unique blend of jazz, pop, and rock. Most famous for his dynamic stage presence and prodigious musical talent, Cullum first came to prominence with his major label breakthrough Twentysomething, who’s multi-million sales make it one of the UK’s best-selling albums of all time. 

Seeing off the final hours of the Festival is renowned saxophonist YolanDa Brown who will be filling Pure Heaven with beats from her monumental tribute show, the Bob Marley Songbook, in celebration of what would have been the legendary reggae artist’s 80^th birthday.

The comedy line-up in the Paridiso includes Ed Byrne, Ivo Graham, Matt Forde and Rob Auton who will be delivering the laughs. Also bringing feet tapping Jazz & Swing to the Paridiso are Megan McConnell, Natty Congeroo & Flames of Rhythm and Jazz & The Tonics.

Plus World & Folk Music in the Bedouin Tent, Outdoor Cabaret in the Salon Quarter, emerging artists performing on the RISE Stage. A fantastic Visual Arts Showcase with an array of artwork and installations in the galleries and Sculpture Garden.

Each evening there will be foodie options to graze from the Street Food stalls to fine dining on the terrace, roaming entertainment and a spectacular firework display ends the night.

Not forgetting the family friendly Playdate ay Henley Festival on the Sunday with a range of activities and performances for children of all ages. Character comedian Mr Sleepy Bum will be performing his hilarious children’s show in the Spiegel Tent, before The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen takes over the stage; an improvised storytelling comedy show sure to have little ones in stitches.

Meanwhile at Big Top, Pang On – a one-person comedy juggling street show – will keep children mesmerised, before YolanDa’s Band Jam, of Cbeebies fame, will get kids dancing on their feet.

Families can also head to Riverside to be spellbound by flawless magic Fred in the Shed, watch in amazement as Twistopher & Twistina create incredible balloon sculptures live and learn something new Circus Skills Rainbow Tent. There will also be a live Doodle Jam session with Tommy Gurr, face painting with Esa Lau, a wandering dragon puppeteer and more!

For more information and to purchase tickets visit henleyfestival.co.uk