Henley Top 10

When it comes to events and occasions to get out and have a good time, Henley-on-Thames has got a whole lot more on offer than just the annual Royal Regatta. Although it would have to grace the prime position in any 'Top 10' Henley events list, there are certainly other choice selections on offer for locals and guests to the region.

---

1. Henley Royal Regatta
   An event that has been featured in the Henley sporting calendar annually from 1839 (with the exception of the years of the two World Wars), the Henley Royal Regatta is a five-day rowing regatta held over the opening days of July, culminating in the Men's Eights Grand Challenge Cup. The Royal Regatta is undisputedly the main drawcard to Henley-on-Thames, however that's certainly not all there is to this lively Oxfordshire city.
2. Henley Festival
   Promising 'the summer's greatest party', the Henley Festival is five evenings of fun, with shows ranging from classical music to comedy, street theatre and dance to jazz and opera. Apart from the fireworks, there'll be more rock than you can poke a stick at, so what are you waiting for?
3. Henley Youth Festival
   Hitting the heights and achieving cultural accolades, that's the Henley youth! This festival aims to promote youth culture in Henley-on-Thames, focussing primarily on the fields of visual arts, music, drama, dance, and sporting endeavours.
4. Henley Food Festival
   Top chefs coming together for some top nosh, that's what the Henley Food Festival is all about. In the two days of the festival, it manages to serve up some red-hot, steaming specialities, and the international guest chefs are sure to please.
5. Henley Fringe Festival
   A new arrival on the Henley-on-Thames cultural scene, the Fringe Festival aims to bring the latest and cutting edge theatre and artistic performances to the public.
6. Henley Literary Festival
   These are three days when there can't be enough said about the written word! The Literary Festival brings together some of the greatest minds in Britain, with insightful commentaries provided by renowned historians and novelists.
7. Henley Show
   Don't miss this once-a-year chance to see everything agricultural from the surrounding regions. With show-jumping, arts, crafts, and livestock, the Henley Show is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser that is bound to appeal to all ages and tastes.
8. Rewind Festival
   Get out on the streets and into the best retro nightclubs with this homage to all things 80s. Comedy events and fun fairs complete the occasion, which has seen big names like Kim Wilde, Rick Astley, and Billy Ocean gracing the stage. These are stars that shone brighter than the lights of Las Vegas hotels, so get set to dance your way down memory lane!
9. Veterans' Regatta
   Held on the weekend following the Henley Royal Regatta since 1994, this internationally recognised event features veterans or masters crew, including some of the big names of international rowing, such as Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave.
10. Women's Regatta
    Getting bigger by the year, the Henley Women's Regatta offers an action-packed three days of high-intensity sport. Recognised as a major fixture in both domestic and international rowing calendars, the Women's Regatta further reinforces the strength of the rowing tradition in Henley.

No matter where you're coming from in the United Kingdom, or even the world, it's a simple matter to come and visit Henley-on-Thames. A short distance away from any major airport or London hotel, it's well worth the visit, any time of the year.