Hatfield House Music Festival: Celebrations
Celebrate the 15th Hatfield House Music Festival and mark milestone days with world-class artists and a world première by Sir James MacMillan.
Event information
The Hatfield House Music Festival 2026 marks a year of celebration at Hatfield House. The Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary, alongside Lord Salisbury’s 80th birthday and the 400th anniversary of composer John Dowland.
Celebration lies at the heart of music. It marks time, honours lives, and brings people together in shared experience. This year’s Festival reflects that spirit, with programmes that move across centuries, from Renaissance consort music to contemporary composition.
John Dowland, a musician in the service of the first Earl of Salisbury, is central to this year’s programme. His music is heard alongside that of Byrd, Lawes and their contemporaries, placing audiences in direct conversation with the rich musical life of the House.
The Festival welcomes back distinguished artists and long-standing friends, including The Sixteen, Magnus Johnston and colleagues, Iestyn Davies, Julian Bliss and his quintet, and Sir András Schiff. It also welcomes for the first time Fretwork, Seth Schultheis, Oliver Wass, and The Academy of St Martin in the Fields String Ensemble with Timothy Ridout.
The programme includes the world première of a new work by Sir James MacMillan, composed especially for Lord Salisbury as part of this year’s celebrations.
Learning & Participation
The Learning and Participation programme remains central to the Festival. Students from The Purcell School return this year, and young musicians, families and local communities are invited to take part in workshops and performances.
This year’s Schools Project is shaped by the 400th anniversary of John Dowland, with local children creating new songs inspired by his music, bringing his legacy into the present day.
Dates
Thursday 8th October to Sunday 11th October
Location
Hatfield House
Additional Information
The Hatfield House Music Festival brings together world-class artists, emerging talent and the local community in a shared celebration of music within one of England’s most historic settings.
For full programme details, please visit the Festival website.
PRICES
Tickets & pricing
Book your tickets for the Hatfield House Music Festival
How to find us
Hatfield Park is just 21 miles north of London on the eastern side of Hatfield.
DIRECTIONS
Where is Hatfield Park?
Our Address
Hatfield Park
Station Lodge, Hatfield, Hertfordshire,
AL9 5HX
Key travel information
Exit the A1(M) at junction 4 (after the Hatfield Tunnel if travelling from the South) and follow the brown leisure signs for Hatfield House via the A414 and A1000. For Sat Nav, please use AL9 5HX
