Nevill Holt Festival Announces First Wave of 2026 programme
The Article
Tue 27 January, 2026
January 27, London: The Nevill Holt Festival has today announced the first wave of programming for its 2026 season. Running from May 29 to 21 June, the Festival will once again transform the grounds of Nevill Holt into one of the UK’s most diverse cultural destinations: a celebration of opera, music, comedy, cabaret, conversation, literature and family programming, presented across its award-winning theatre, iconic 1920s Spiegeltent and gardens.
The 2026 Festival opens in spectacular style with a major new production of Don Pasquale, presented in partnership with Opera North. Gaetano Donizetti’s opera buffa (comic opera) is reimagined in the glamorous world of mid-1960s Italian cinema, unfolding inside a bustling independent film studio in Rome.
Alongside opera, the first wave of programming is an exceptional roll call of headline voices across music, comedy and ideas. These include satirist Rory Bremner, broadcaster John Simpson CBE, the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra with Iain MacKenzie, the Jay Rayner Sextet, humanitarian leader James Cowan of The HALO Trust, and leading floral designer Shane Connolly MBE.
Following a highly successful 2025 season, which saw more than 15,000 tickets sold and featured over 700 artists, the Festival returns in 2026 with a programme 15% larger, offering increased scale, range and ambition. Community engagement remains central to the Festival’s ethos, with continued collaborations with local schools, businesses and partners.
Music: from brass to big band to Symphonic club culture
Music in 2026 spans genre, generations and performance styles. The legendary Grimethorpe Colliery Band, one of Britain’s finest brass ensembles, brings its powerful sound to Nevill Holt Festival following appearances at the BBC Proms, Glastonbury, and collaborations with Coldplay.
Jazz lovers will welcome the return of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra with Iain Mackenzie, delivering an exuberant programme of swing, funk and Latin-infused big band repertoire, celebrating music made famous by Count Basie, Duke Ellington and more.
Commenting on the orchestra’s 2026 appearance, Ronnie Scott’s Artistic Director, Pete Long, said: “There’s something simply magical about bringing the roaring swing, sassy vocals, and fabulous funk of the big band tradition to such stunning surroundings. Expect an exciting brew of virtuoso ensemble playing with killer solo contributions, from Count Basie to Duke Ellington and beyond.”
Young performers from the David Ross Education Trust (DRET) and Gabrieli Roar will perform Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, offering students the chance to shine alongside Nevill Holt’s world-class programme.
Commenting on the DRET performances, Chief Executive of the David Ross Education Trust, Simon Rose, said: “Our students look forward to the Festival year-round. To appear alongside world-class talent is a dream come true for our schools, and an opportunity for audiences to see first-hand the transformative power of music on young people.”
The Jay Rayner Sextet celebrates the jazz-inflected chart hits of the 1980s with fresh arrangements of songs made famous by Sting and Sade, while Symphonic Ibiza promises a completely different musical experience – a high-energy fusion of a live 20-piece orchestra and iconic club anthems.
Conversation, comedy and ideas
Comedy highlights include the return of one of Ireland’s most beloved stand-ups, Jason Byrne, who is celebrating 30 years on stage this year. We will also be welcoming master satirist Rory Bremner to the festival, along with award-winning musical comedy phenomenon Abandoman.
The Festival’s popular ‘In Conversation’ returns with An Afternoon With John Simpson CBE who will be reflecting on a lifetime as a BBC foreign correspondent; Adam Hart discussing his acclaimed biography Operation Pimento: My Great Grandfather’s Great Escape; and biographer, Rachel Trethewey on Muv: The story of the Mitford Girls’ Mother, alongside The HALO Trust’s James Cowan who will explore global conflict and humanitarian action.
Culinary conversations return with leading voices including the founder of the renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School, Rory O’Connell, restaurateur Jeremy King, and Great British Bake Off Winner Matty Edgell.
Cabaret, family and festival favourites
The iconic 1920s mirrored Spiegeltent returns as a hub of entertainment, led by the highly anticipated return of Cabaret All Stars. Following its huge success in 2025, this acclaimed international ensemble once again brings together elite acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and vocalists for pure theatrical exhilaration.
Family programming remains a cornerstone of the Festival, and this year the Festival welcomes Tweedy the Clown in Tweedy’s Massive Solo Show, a riotous one-man circus adventure combining physical comedy, chaos, and charm, alongside a performance of Matilda Jr from Children’s performing arts company Lemon Jelly Stage School.
Festival Founder, David Ross, said: “This first wave of programming offers a glimpse into our most ambitious and exciting programme yet. From Donizetti’s delightful Don Pasquale to the return of Cabaret All Stars, there is something for everyone on the Nevill Holt Festival stage.”
Commenting on the first wave of programming, Underbelly Director, Ed Bartlam, said: “The Nevill Holt Festival celebrates exactly what we love most about live performance – variety, inclusivity, creativity and good honest entertainment. But this is also a festival of ideas, discussion and debate which is a key part of what makes Nevill Holt Festival so exciting. Our initial festival events announced today are just a small snapshot of what is to follow and we can’t wait to announce the full programme at the end of February.”
Tickets for Festival Members are on sale now. General sale opens January 29th.
Further programming announcements will follow at the end of February. For tickets, membership information, and future programme announcements, visit www.nevillholtfestival.com.