Full programme launches Spring 2027
The Agenda
Around 300 sessions across two days and 40 venues. The line-up is still taking shape. Here’s what to expect, and how to be among the first to see it.
Deborah Meaden speaking at the UK Festival 2026.
While you wait
A taste of last year.
The 2026 programme featured around 300 sessions across two days, from packed-out keynotes in the AQA Auditorium and the Christopher Lee Theatre to interactive sessions and debates across the Chapel, Old Gym, Great School, Waterloo Hall, lawn marquees and stretched tents in Combermere Quad. Browse the archive to explore the range of content that makes the Festival unforgettable.
shape of the day
How a Festival day runs.
Both days follow the same rhythm. Session titles land in spring; the timings below are fixed.
08:00
Gates open
OpeningRegistration, coffee on the lawns and the festival village opens.
09:30
Period One
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
10:30
Period Two
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
11:15
Morning Break
BreaksStreet food, live music and deckchairs.
11:45
Period Three
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
12:45
Period Four
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
13:30
Lunch
BreaksStreet food, live music and deckchairs.
14:45
Period Five
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
15:30
Afternoon Break
BreaksStreet food, live music and deckchairs.
16:00
Period Five
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
17:00
Day one end
CloseRegistration, coffee on the lawns and the festival village opens.
08:00
Gates open
OpeningRegistration, coffee on the lawns and the festival village opens.
09:30
Period One
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
10:30
Period Two
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
11:15
Morning Break
BreaksStreet food, live music and deckchairs.
11:45
Period Three
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
12:45
Period Four
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
13:30
Lunch
BreaksStreet food, live music and deckchairs.
14:45
Period Five
sessionsAround 30 sessions to select from across the Festival site.
15:30
Afternoon Break
BreaksStreet food, live music and deckchairs.
17:00
Day two end
CloseRegistration, coffee on the lawns and the festival village opens.