If you are looking for a magical evening of music in an incredible setting, then look no further than the Hampton Court Palace Festival.
My event guides are designed to help you get tickets to the event of your choice and to ensure you have a good time when you get there. They cover everything from ticket buying tips, seating information and what you can expect on event day.
What is the Hampton Court Palace Festival?
The Hampton Court Palace Festival is an annual series of open air concerts set against the stunning backdrop of the palace. Over two weeks, a host of top artists from the worlds of rock and pop to classical music perform in a specially built arena in the palace’s historic courtyard.
The arena, which is fully seated, has a capacity of around 3,000. Gates usually open around 5.30 so there is plenty of time to enjoy and explore the surroundings before the show. The festival ends with a finale that includes a firework display.
One of the things I love about this festival is that you can have a drink or picnic in the stunning gardens before the show. When I went, I grabbed something to eat from one of the food stands and found a spot in the gardens before heading into the arena.
A little bit about Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace located in Richmond-upon-Thames in the south-west of London.
Built in the early 16th century, it has a long and fascinating history. The original palace was started by Cardinal Wolsey, an English statesman and Catholic bishop. However, it wasn’t long before it fell into the hands of Henry VIII.
He enlarged the palace to accommodate his courtiers (he could be accompanied by up to 800!) and brought six of his wives here. It became one of his favourite residences and is one of only two surviving palaces out of the many he owned.
The following century, much of the palace was destroyed when William III and Mary II took the throne and asked Sir Christopher Wren to build a new baroque palace.
In 1838, Queen Victoria opened the palace to the public. With its specular architecture and beautiful gardens it quickly became a popular tourist attraction.
Today, it remains just as popular. As well as the palace and gardens, visitors can enjoy some of the Royal Collections artworks in a permanent display. Annual events held at the palace include the Hampton Court music festival and the RHS Flower Garden Festival.
Hampton Court Palace festival line up 2027
As you might expect, the line-up at the Hampton Court festival always matches the spectacular setting. Previous acts include Gary Barlow, Tom Jones, Chaka Khan, Nile Rodgers & Chic and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
We usually start to hear who’ll be playing the following year from around autumn, with more names announced in the months leading up to the festival.
How to get tickets
There are a few different ticket options available, depending on the type of evening you are looking for. Details will be announced with the line-up in the autumn.
It is worth taking a look at the seating plan before tickets go on sale, so you know exactly where the different blocks are and which ones you’d like to try for.
With such an incredible setting, it might not surprise you that there are some unique hospitality options available, including after-hours access to the palace and a pre-show dinner where royalty once dined and entertained.
What time do shows start and finish?
The gates usually open at 5.30pm. Concerts generally start around 9pm, although this depends on the show and whether there is a support act. Performances last around 90 minutes.
Tips to help you have a great evening
- Pack light. Most venues these days have a small bag policy and you will go through a security check before being allowed into the arena. Keep your belongings to a minimum, security issues aside, it’s no fun carrying a huge bag round at a gig.
- The courtyard where concerts are held is uncovered so it is open to the elements. There are some undercover seating areas so if you really don’t fancy your luck with the Great British summer, you can select these seats when booking tickets.
- While on the subject of weather, check the forecast for the day of your show and dress appropriately. If it is hot and sunny, make sure you bring something to cover up with and if rain is predicted, throw in a waterproof jacket.
- As you may expect with such an historic building, there may be some uneven surfaces. Keep an eye out as you walk around.
- If you need step-free access, check the seating plan carefully before booking as step-free seating is available in certain blocks. There is also a step-free route to the arena, and the stewards can help you on arrival if needed.
Is the Hampton Court Palace Festival worth it?
Yes, I think it is. I really enjoyed the show I saw there and it was quite an experience seeing one of my favourite artists in such a unique setting. Although, once the show gets going, you do kind of forget you’re sitting in the courtyard of Hampton Court Palace!
With a capacity of around 3,000, it feels much more intimate than many concert venues. I also really enjoyed being able to spend some time in the gardens beforehand. I was lucky with the weather when I went, which definitely helped.
The only downside for me was that the crowd seemed a little more keen to sit down than at some of the other gigs I’ve been to. I’m definitely more of a get up and dance person! The stage was also quite high, so if you are sitting right at the front, you get a better view of the whole stage by standing.
Overall, I think the combination of an intimate concert and such a historic setting makes the Hampton Court Palace Festival a pretty unique place to see one of your favourite artists.
Plan your visit to the Hampton Court Palace Festival
Address: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU
How to get to Hampton Court Palace
Train: Hampton Court Station is a few minutes walk from the palace. Trains run from London Waterloo to Hampton Court every 30 minutes and the journey takes around 40 minutes. You can check out train times at South West Railway.
Bus: Local buses pass by Hampton Court Palace.
Boat: Take the scenic route with a boat trip from Turks Pier, a short walk from Kingston station.
Taxi: There is a pick up and drop off point at Home Park.
The last word
There aren’t many places where you can spend a summer evening enjoying the gardens of a royal palace before heading into a historic courtyard to watch one of your favourite artists perform.
I really enjoyed my evening at the Hampton Court Palace Festival and would love to go back, especially if someone I wanted to see was on the line-up. The smaller arena makes it feel a little more intimate than your average concert and, of course, you really can’t beat the setting.
If you are thinking about going in 2027, keep an eye out for the line-up announcements from the autumn onwards. You might just find the perfect excuse for a summer evening at the palace.