Nevill Holt Festival: A magical cultural powerhouse in the Leicestershire Countryside
- Emily Miller
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Festival returns with bigger programme and world-class partnerships.
The Nevill Holt Festival, taking place from May 30 to June 22, isn’t just a local highlight, it’s a significant fixture on the UK’s cultural calendar.
Hosted at the historic Nevill Holt estate, just a short drive from Market Harborough, the festival brings world-class opera, music, comedy, literature, and conversation to a rural setting that’s both scenic and steeped in history.
It’s not just about escapism, it’s about access. It’s about offering people in the East Midlands a chance to experience something extraordinary without having to travel to London or Manchester. With a thoughtfully expanded programme and a clear commitment to welcoming new audiences, this year’s festival has a real sense of purpose. It’s not just beautiful; it’s ambitious.
The event will be bringing a diverse and high-quality programme of opera, classical music, jazz, literature, comedy, food and political debate to its unique setting in rural Leicestershire.
Taking place at the Nevill Holt estate, a site known for its rich heritage and panoramic countryside views, the festival is building on the success of its 2024 season, which saw 12,000 visitors attend more than 60 events, with 75% attending for the first time.
Following its rebrand last year into a broader, multi-arts event, the 2025 festival will take this further, offering an even wider range of performances and experiences aimed at attracting diverse audiences from across the region and beyond.
Founder David Ross said: “Our ambition this year has been to expand the breadth of our programme to ensure there is something for everyone, from the sports fan to opera buff. Along with our producer friends at Underbelly and Opera North, we are staging over 60 shows over three weeks.
"I’m incredibly grateful for the continued support of our local community, whose enthusiasm and engagement help bring the Festival to life each year. I look forward to welcoming you for what promises to be a very special Nevill Holt Festival experience in 2025.”
A major development this year is the addition of a 300-seat Spiegeltent, an intimate and flexible venue that will host everything from comedy and jazz to family theatre and spoken word events. Its introduction marks a clear move toward programming that’s vibrant, accessible and designed to appeal to a broad audience, without compromising on quality.
Opera remains at the heart of the festival, and 2025 sees the beginning of a five-year partnership with Opera North, one of the UK’s leading opera companies. Their first collaboration with Nevill Holt brings a co-production of Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte to the estate’s award-winning theatre, with performances running June 6-8 and 10-12. Whether you’re a lifelong opera fan or curious about seeing your first production, Così Fan Tutte offers humour, emotion, and some of Mozart’s finest music in a world-class setting.
Designed with all ages in mind, the festival will also host Madame Chandelier’s Opera Party for Kids, giving younger audiences a fun and engaging introduction to the world of opera.
The music programme spans genres and styles, from the iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra to the traditional Irish sounds of the Martin Hayes Trio, and the contemporary brass energy of the Hackney Colliery Band.
On the comedy stage, Jason Byrne brings his unpredictable livewire act, joined by Underbelly’s Comedy Allstars, a rotating roster of crowd-pleasing comics.
Big Voices, Big Conversations
The popular ‘In Conversation’ series continues in 2025 with a line-up that includes actor and writer Richard E Grant, food campaigner and presenter Prue Leith, poet and national treasure Pam Ayres, and cricketing greats Jonathan Agnew and Phil Tufnell. The series gives audiences the chance to hear personal insights and real conversations from some of the UK’s most engaging public figures.
To complement the culture, this year’s food and drink offering has been elevated through new partnerships with top London restaurants Maison François and Cubitt House. Whether you're indulging in a pre-show dinner or enjoying a long lunch in the gardens, the food is set to be every bit as memorable as the programme.
The Nevill Holt Festival shows how powerful it is when world-class talent meets local ambition. This is a festival that champions both tradition and innovation, offering something for everyone while raising the cultural profile of the East Midlands.
It’s a reminder that you don’t have to head to a major city to experience great performances, meaningful conversations, and top-tier food. Sometimes, all you need is the right setting, and this festival looks just perfect for it!
