‘A unique experience you will remember for ever.’ Hever Festival audience member 2024

The magnificent Penshurst Place and Gardens is becoming the stage for an extraordinary artistic adventure, allowing history and performance to intertwine for one spectacular evening.

This is an exclusive event for a limited audience.

What you will experience

As the sun goes down, we gather under the ancient trees for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, feasting and celebration.

Our guides will escort you into the gardens where you will discover the theatrical treasures hidden within the many breathtaking garden ‘rooms’. Leading you from one unexpected, mesmerising performance, to the next as you wander past the charming circular pond, lose yourself among the fragrant roses and gaze at the romantic magnolia garden. Each turn reveals a new wonder and an unexpected performance.

Returning to where you started, an hour later, music fills the air and you can enjoy the carefully curated street food, raise a glass at our botanical cocktail bar, and soak up the summertime musical vibes as the gardens magic reaches its peak.

This is more than just a performance – it’s an unmissable midsummer festival where nature, history, artistry and feasting combine to create pure enchantment.

‘Over many years of attending the festival we have always come away artistically nourished.’

Hever Festival audience member 2024

Meet the Artists

Immersive Creations

A brand-new ballet performance just for us, celebrating Penshurst with a new take on a breath-taking Swan Lake duet. We’re keeping secret where in the gardens the swans will be ‘swimming’.

‘I would see this group anytime and anywhere, the experience was truly magical.’

Lullingstone Castle Audience Member

Bedlam Oz

A world theatre company that animates spaces with style, elegance and grace. Visually stunning, highly choreographed theatre, driven by original soundtracks. Majestic, atmospheric, hilarious and powerfully symbolic.

‘Undisputed highlight of the weekend!’

Glastonbury Timeout’s review

Juggling Inferno

A funky, multi-talented collective of the country’s finest fire performers. Guaranteed to amaze, leave you cheering for more, and not damage any Elizabethan gardens or buildings in the process.

‘Brilliant! The fire performers appealed to all ages…who could have watched all night!’

Mark Smith, Director of Tourism, Bournemouth Council

DJ Marcel Mendez

Our renowned resident International DJ fills the air with his cool summer vibes keeping the celebration going into the night, as you relax, enjoy the music and dine under the stars.

‘Marcel Mendez knows how to bring everyone together with his infectious feelgood music.’

BBC Radio Kent

When you arrive

Please arrive from 6.30pm (or we ask that you arrive a good 30 minutes beforehand for either show). This gives you time to arrive, take a look around and grab a drink before you join the immersive performance tour at the time of our ticket. You are welcome to unwind and enjoy the stunning sunset views, atmospheric music and delicious street food before and after your performance.

Each performance will last for approximately 1 hour. Street food will be available until 9.30pm. You do not have to eat with us, but we ask that you do not bring a picnic or drinks with you. Feel free to bring a chair or blanket, there are a few seats available on the estate, but not enough for everyone.

The performances will start at the stated time, just as they would do in a conventional auditorium! 

Festivities continue until 10pm.

Here is how the evening will run;

For the 8.30pm performance arrive anytime from 6.30pm and enjoy the botanical menu and vibes before the performance, there will be less time afterwards.

‘Glastonbury for grown ups.’

Hever Festival audience member 2024

Catering

Birches Wholefood Café

The cocktail Social

Little Vintage Tin

Tasty Wheels Pizza

‘An extraordinary theatre experience where history and entertainment come alive under the stars.’

Hever Festival audience member 2024

All Tickets

£25.00

Penshurst Place and Gardens

Come prepared for the weather in this uncovered, stunningly beautiful, exclusive venue on the Penshurst Place estate. 

Free parking is available, please follow the signage and the stewards will guide you via the cricket pitch entrance.

Limited seating is available under the trees where the catering is situated. Feel free to bring your own chairs. Also, if it is inclement, you are welcome to bring big umbrellas and small gazebos but please do remember this is only for the eating area. The performance will go ahead whatever the weather – there is no bad weather, just bad clothing!

The route for the performance includes Elizabethan pathways and steps. We do have an accessible route for wheelchair users and others who require it. Please email us to let us know you are coming, we will dedicate a steward to ensure you don’t get lost in the fragrant borders  boxoffice@heverfeestival.co.uk.