Celebrate Solstice at the enchanting Sacred Glade in woodland on the West Berkshire Wasing Estate
Hot on the heels of the first Well Read at Wasing we are counting down to Solstice at Wasing which sees a return to its roots.
This year’s Solstice at Wasing is to be held as an intimate one-day event, hosted at the enchanting Sacred Glade, nestled within The Woodland on the Wasing Estate, it is a stunning enclave right in the heart of the countryside. A unique and mindful space; this is a truly transportive venue to see defining live acts, fully immersed in nature.
Taking place on Friday, June 20, the festival celebrates the Rite of Summer and will feature performances by incredible artists Anoushka Shankar, Salif Keita, Omer Gonen-Haela, Âpe Chimba and many more.
Together, they complete a rich and diverse programme of music, nature and connection at one of the UK’s most beautiful outdoor venues.
Take a look at the Solstice 2025 preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2cpAuNZpN4
Custodian of Wasing Joshua Dugdale says: “This reimagining of Solstice marks a return to what has always remained at the festival’s heart - the solstice celebrations and the profound meaning it holds. Guided by the sacred fire, we will gather once again to reconnect with the natural world, with one another, and with something far greater than ourselves. Our focus remains, as ever, on curating a programme of exceptional, world-renowned artists and offerings to deliver the powerful and intimate experiences in nature that we have become known and celebrated for.”
For full line up and tickets visit wasing.co.uk/solstice
Reimagined to return to the festival’s roots, Solstice will be a magical and intimate night of celebration and connection, centred around the sacred fire - a timeless symbol of continuity, presence, and life. Set against the backdrop of the longest day of the year, Wasing invites concert goers to gather in nature to honour this ancestral tradition, celebrating what has long united us - the flame that warms the body, lights the path, but also, through the sun, provides our energy, and life.
Topping the bill is Anoushka Shankar, globally renowned sitarist, composer, and activist whose genre-defying music bridges Indian classical music with global, electronic, jazz, and neo-classical influences. With thirteen solo albums, Grammy® and Ivor Novello nominations, Anoushka’s three-decade career began at 13 performing worldwide with her father, the legendary Ravi Shankar, before forging her own celebrated path with acclaimed albums like Rise, Traveller, and Land of Gold.
Salif Keita, the legendary afro-pop star dubbed the "Golden Voice of Africa", is celebrated for his powerful vocals and pioneering fusion of traditional Malian music with soul, funk, and jazz. With a career spanning over four decades, he stands as a true icon of world music—his emotive sound and passionate advocacy for social causes making him a transformative force on stages worldwide.
Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter & ceremony leader Omer Gonen-Haela brings his captivating, deeply atmospheric music to the Sacred Glade. Shaped by his extensive travels and musical studies across India, the Middle East and Brazil, his songs are prayers of depth, love and connection, holding the vision of a world based on respect, trust and connection.
Âpe Chimba is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and ceremonial artist whose music bridges ancient and contemporary worlds. Drawing on tribal, folk and sacred traditions, his performances combine traditional instruments, chant and modern production to create immersive sound journeys rooted in ritual and spiritual connection.
The Fireside Sessions will be headlined by globally acclaimed artist Anoushka Shankar, and sparks the solstice celebration's shift from day to night with special performances around the fire. For those seeking a free-spirited experience, The Fireside Sessions take place by the Sacred Glade fire, giving a moment to connect with nature under the stars. The following morning, a torch-lit procession will make its way to the breathtaking Hilltop, where a guided Sunrise Ceremony will take place at dawn to welcome the new sun.
Wasing Estate itself is heralded for the way it breaks the mould for country estates and this ethos is reflected in the concerts; Wasing hosts healing retreats enriched with nature immersion, wellbeing festivals, and restorative events with a focus on the connection between the planet and its people.
As well as the music, Wasing offers a host of wellbeing packages at the festival, including nature connection meditations, breathwork sessions and Wild Swim & Sauna sessions in the secluded woodland lake and wood-fired sauna.
This year’s event follows Solstice at Wasing's hugely successful event in 2024, which featured sensational shows from the likes of Nick Mulvey and Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Tickets are available now at www.wasing.co.uk/solstice
About Wasing Estate:
Wasing sees things differently. That we are inherently part of nature and that what harms the planet ultimately harms us. Everything is connected.
As one of the most diverse rural estates in England, Wasing is truly unique - a special place to celebrate, connect, grow and heal. The Estate is home to one of the finest wedding venues in the country and is a stunning space where exceptional events are hosted, including immersive musical experiences in woodland amphitheatre, The Mount.
Wasing’s farm underpins its 'Estate to Plate' ethos by providing delicious organic produce and Wasing Wellbeing offers the opportunity to connect with self, each other and nature through rejuvenating retreats & wild swimming.
