Hampton Court Palace Festival 2026 highlights
Hampton Court Palace Festival 2026 closed its gates on Saturday night after an unforgettable two weeks of live music, bringing nine nights of world-class performances to the historic Tudor courtyards of Henry VIII’s former palace.
The final night belonged to 80s Classical, who delivered a euphoric closing performance featuring some of the decade’s most iconic voices, including Kim Wilde, Go West, Nik Kershaw, and Roland Gift. Backed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, the ensemble reimagined era-defining hits such as I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, She Drives Me Crazy, The King of Wishful Thinking and Kids in America, ending the festival on a note of pure nostalgia and orchestral spectacle.
Across the 2026 edition, audiences were treated to an exceptional programme of live music set against the atmospheric backdrop of Hampton Court Palace’s Base Court, where intimacy, history and performance combined to create one of the UK’s most distinctive festival experiences.
The festival opened with two sold-out and atmospheric performances from David Gray, whose folktronica-tinged sound and timeless songwriting set the tone for the series. From there, the momentum continued with a genre-spanning line-up that showcased the breadth of the festival’s curation.
Synth-pop pioneers OMD brought their unmistakable electronic catalogue to the palace courtyards, followed by dance music legend Pete Tong, who transformed the historic setting with his acclaimed Ibiza Classics alongside The Essential Orchestra.
The second week began in full force with punk-rock innovators The Stranglers, whose five-decade legacy delivered a high-energy set of raw, enduring British rock. They were followed by global hitmakers Nile Rodgers & CHIC, who returned to Hampton Court Palace with a celebratory performance packed with disco-funk anthems and timeless grooves.
Midweek saw Elvis Costello & The Imposters, joined by guitarist Charlie Sexton, bring sharp songwriting, musicianship and decades of acclaimed material to Base Court, before Sophie Ellis-Bextor lit up the courtyard with her signature disco-pop energy, blending fan favourites with her renewed cultural resurgence.
Each evening, audiences arrived early to soak up the summer atmosphere in the East Front Gardens, enjoying street food and luxury picnic hampers before moving into the intimate 3,000-capacity auditorium. The combination of open-air relaxation and historic architecture once again proved central to the festival’s unique appeal.
Now in its 31st year, Hampton Court Palace Festival continues to stand apart from other UK live music events, presenting world-class artists alongside exceptional hospitality experiences within one of Britain’s most iconic royal settings.
The festival has welcomed generations of legendary performers over its history, including Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Eric Clapton, Tom Jones, Lionel Richie, Tears for Fears, Liza Minnelli, Frankie Valli, Van Morrison, Bryan Adams, Andrea Bocelli, José Carreras, Katherine Jenkins, Tracy Chapman, Grace Jones, Simple Minds, Bastille, Elbow, Keane and Crowded House, among many others.
Produced in partnership with MARI, a global events and experiences company whose portfolio spans sport, art, lifestyle and entertainment — including international tennis tournaments such as the Madrid and Miami Opens, Frieze art fairs, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, TodayTix Group and Barrett-Jackson auctions — the festival forms part of a wider mission to deliver live experiences that bring people together and shape culture worldwide.
The festival is also delivered in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for six of the most important palaces in the world. Through its work, it brings history to life and invites audiences to engage with the stories and spaces that shape shared heritage.
While the 2026 edition has now concluded, preparations for 2027 are already underway, with next year’s line-up set to be announced in the coming months. Tickets will be available soon.
2026 line-up was as follows:
- Wed 10 June – David Gray
- Thu 11 June – David Gray
- Fri 12 June – OMD
- Sat 13 June – Pete Tong Ibiza Classics
- Tue 16 June – The Stranglers
- Wed 17 June – Nile Rodgers & CHIC
- Thu 18 June – Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton
- Fri 19 June – Sophie Ellis-Bextor
- Sat 20 June – 80s Classical ft Special Guests
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