The towns along the River Thames provide a wide variety of festivals throughout the year. From Food & Drink inspired, music and literary festivals to those based on the season. Summer is when the River Thames comes to life with a spectacular array of festivals. 

The newest festival along the River Thames is Reading Walks Festival (dates for 2027 to be confirmed). You don’t need to be a keen walker to take part. The festival will be suitable for all ages and walking ability with walks ranging in length from 40 minute wanders to a two-day pilgrimage. 

Henley – Town of Festivals

Not only is Henley a delightful town on the River Thames, it has long been associated with festivals and regattas.

Over the years new festivals have sprung up showcasing traditional links to the river, music and literature. There's plenty to choose from during the year.

Henley Festival -7-11 July 2027

Henley Royal Regatta 29 June - 4 July 2027

Thames Traditional Boat Festival - 16-18 July 2027

Rewind South Festival - 20-22 August 2027

Regatta for the Disabled 2027 DATE TBC

Henley Literary Festival - 2027 DATES TBC

Make the most of Henley Royal Regatta

Remenham Farm sits on the banks of the Thames and runs along the first half of the Regatta course. During Henley Regatta it hosts a variety of entertainment for the general public and rowing enthusiasts alike.

For fine dining enthusiasts, Remenham Farm offers three hospitality areas that can be booked per head, Temple Island Enclosure, Boaters Enclosure and The Riverside Enclosure. 

Festival Showcase - Thames Traditional Boat Festival

It showcases trades and crafts of a bygone era, as well as providing a fun day out for all the family. Highlights include: Gloriana - Her Majesty's Royal Rowbarge, "Little Ships" of Dunkirk, Amphibians, Battle of Britain Memorial, Classic & Vintage cars, motorcycles and bikes, Punch & Judy, Pop-up Pub and even camping on site.

There's plenty more festivals to inspire you

• Reading Festivals - As well as Reading Walks Festival it is also home to an up and coming arts and culture destination with a wonderfully diverse and eclectic mix of festivals. The biggest and most renowned is, of course, Reading Festival, the world’s oldest rock festival (and third-largest UK festival) which draws in over 100,000 visitors to Reading every August bank holiday. It also has a Food Festival, a Children's Festival, Indie Comedy Festival, Reading Water Fest, Carnival of the World, Pride Festival and Vegan Festival. 
• Oxford Literary Festival - 13-21 March. A nine-day spring festival founded in 2001, with talks by authors, historians and journalists held in the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian's Weston Library and several colleges.
• Cliveden Literary Festival - October (2027 dates TBC). Cliveden is the magnificent English country house with a unique and extraordinary history of politics and intrigue, aristocracy and espionage, sex and scandal. Time and again, Cliveden itself has become a character in the story of these isles. Ever since 1666, the house has also been known for its literary salon, helping to inspire writers from Alexander Pope and George Bernard Shaw, Jonathan Swift and Lord Tennyson to Sir Winston Churchill. The Cliveden Literary Festival will evoke the spirit of the great writers and potentates who stayed here and continue the tradition of the house as a sanctuary for lovers of literature.
• Windsor Festivals - Windsor offers a wide selection of festivals to choose from: Music Festivals, Literary Festivals, Cultural Festivals, Food & Drink Festivals and Family Friendly Festivals. These include Windsor Festival (tbc September/October 2027) combines music, literature and the arts in stunning venues across the town,  The Big Ascot Food & Wine Racing Weekend (3–4 September 2027) pairs gourmet delights with thrilling horse racing and Norden Farm's Kite Festival (tbc August 2027) at Boyn Hill in Maidenhead is a favourite, offering free entry and a fun afternoon of kite-making and flying.
• Marlow Town Regatta and Festival - 12-13 June 2027. This is a traditional summer Lawn Regatta with rowing on the Thames jointly organised by Marlow Town Regatta & Festival (MTRF) and Marlow Rowing Club. This is Marlow's Premier Sporting & Social Community Event of the summer and continues a tradition that has been running for 150 years.