Nevill Holt Festival has confirmed its return for 2026, running from 29 May to 21 June, following a hugely successful 2025 season that featured over 700 artists and collaborations with iconic brands including Maison François, Cubitt House, Maison Mirabeau, Jigsaw, and Waterstones.
Curated in partnership with Underbelly and Opera North, the Festival continues to champion the belief that art should inspire both current and future generations of culture lovers.
This year’s programme showcased a diverse range of talent and expanded its footprint with the addition of a 100-year-old Spiegeltent, set against the breathtaking Leicestershire countryside.
Audiences were treated to performances and talks from Richard E Grant, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, Mishal Husain, Trinny Woodall, Dame Prue Leith DBE, Sir Alastair Cook, the New York Jazz Sextet, and Così fan tutte by Mozart.
More than 1,000 young people engaged in educational activities, including a concert led by composer Gavin Bryars and young musicians from the David Ross Education Trust.
Opera North will return in 2026 for the second year of its five-year partnership with Nevill Holt Festival.
Membership schemes offering early booking and exclusive benefits are now available, starting from £35.
Founder David Ross said:
“As we close another incredible season of the Nevill Holt Festival, I am grateful to every single person who made this year unforgettable — from the artists and performers to the dedicated crew and, of course, our amazing audience and supporters.
Access to the arts has never been more challenging, and festivals across the UK face immense pressures to survive. That’s why I am so grateful to see new faces each year, and I look forward to seeing even more of you in 2026. With our friends at Underbelly and Opera North, we are already devising what next year will bring and can’t wait to do it all over again.”
Laura Canning, CEO and General Director of Opera North, said:
“We’re thrilled with the result of our very first collaboration with Nevill Holt Festival: Mozart’s Così fan tutte, which delighted audiences and introduced many people to Opera North for the very first time. In addition, we were delighted to have had the opportunity to bring the magic of the Orchestra of Opera North to local schools in conjunction with the David Ross Education Trust and to perform with their young singers at a special concert at the beautiful Nevill Holt theatre. We look forward to developing this collaboration both on the stage and in the community in 2026.”
François O’Neill, Owner, Maison François, Cafe François said:
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with The Nevill Holt Festival this year. We looked after thousands of guests and the coming together of St James London and Leicestershire was beautiful. We very much hope to return next year.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here
