Rick Wakeman has announced a series of concert tours across 2026 and 2027, marking his return to live performance following successful brain surgery in November 2025. The 76-year-old keyboard legend will perform in the United States alongside his son Oliver in March 2026, followed by a festive UK run in December 2026 and a major UK tour with the English Rock Ensemble in early 2027.
Health Update: Back on the Road After Surgery
In November 2025, Rick Wakeman underwent corrective brain surgery for normal pressure hydrocephalus, a neurological condition that affects fluid balance in the brain. The surgery was described as “very successful” in an official statement shared on his website.
Wakeman had postponed his 2025 American tour due to the diagnosis, which required hospitalised operational tests in September before the procedure could proceed. His surgeon confirmed he would be “perfectly fine to travel to America for the tour with my son Oliver in March”.
Despite the seriousness of the condition, Wakeman maintained his characteristic humour in addressing fans. “It doesn’t seem to have affected my piano playing in any way as I still seem to be very capable of hitting the odd wrong note here and there when I lose my concentration,” he said.
Wakeman & Son: US Tour March 2026
Rick Wakeman will embark on a 13-city US tour with his eldest son Oliver Wakeman, a fellow former member of Yes. This marks the first time the two have toured America together as a duo, offering audiences a rare opportunity to see two generations of Wakeman talent on one stage.
The tour begins on March 11, 2026, at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Connecticut and concludes on March 29, 2026, at The Vogel in Red Bank, New Jersey. Stops include Phoenixville, Poughkeepsie, Derry, St. Louis, St. Charles, Kent, Cincinnati, Richmond, Englewood, Huntington, and Westerly.
According to Ticketmaster listings, the setlist will draw from their joint musical heritage as well as their latest recordings. Fans holding tickets from the postponed Strictly Wakeman Tour will find those tickets valid for these new shows.
A Hint of Xmas: UK Holiday Tour December 2026
Wakeman will celebrate the holiday season with a festive UK tour titled “A Hint of Xmas” in December 2026. The shows will feature Rick alongside Oliver Wakeman and vocalist Mollie Marriott, daughter of the late Steve Marriott of Humble Pie and Small Faces fame.
The tour spans seven dates across England, beginning on December 4, 2026, at the Corn Exchange in Devizes and concluding on December 13, 2026, at the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton. Other stops include Newport on the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Evesham, Buxton, and Milton Keynes.
The show is described as approximately two hours of music, blending their own compositions with adapted Christmas favourites and moments of audience participation. The Devizes venue previously hosted a sell-out Wakeman & Son performance, prompting the return for this holiday production. An official ticket link from the venue lists prices at £50.00.Rick Wakeman Quick Bio
| Full Name | Richard Christopher Wakeman |
|---|---|
| Age | 76 (born 18 May 1949) |
| Birthplace | Perivale, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Keyboardist, composer, songwriter, television and radio presenter, author |
| Height | 6 ft 2½ in (approximately 1.89 m) |
| Education | Royal College of Music (studied piano, clarinet, orchestration, and modern music) |
| Years Active | 1969–present |
| Notable Works | The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973), Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974), The Myths and Legends of King Arthur (1975); work with Yes, David Bowie, Elton John, Cat Stevens |
| Awards | CBE (2021), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (2017), Spirit of Prog Award (2010) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $10 million (reported estimate) |
| Spouse/Partner | Rachel Kaufman (married 2011) |
| Social Media | Website: rwcc.com; Facebook: RickWakemanMusic; Twitter: GrumpyOldRick; Instagram: rickwakemanmusic |
Note: Net worth figures from celebrity wealth trackers are estimates and not officially confirmed by Wakeman.
The Wizard of Prog: UK Tour 2027
Wakeman’s most ambitious upcoming project is “The Wizard of Prog – Ultimate Highlights Concert Tour”, a UK run with the English Rock Ensemble in February and March 2027. According to the London Coliseum, this will be the band’s longest UK tour to date.
The tour features the same lineup from 2025’s Return of the Caped Crusader Part 2 tour, which Wakeman described as “the best ever” incarnation of the ensemble. The band includes Jesse Smith on lead vocals, Adam Wakeman on keyboards and guitars, Dave Colquhoun on guitars, Lee Pomeroy on bass, Adam Falkner on drums, and backing vocalists Sara Davey, Jo Goldsmith-Eteson, and Jo Marshall.
The setlist will span Wakeman’s solo catalogue, material from his time with Yes, and excerpts from his acclaimed concept albums including The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The tour begins on February 17, 2027, in Brighton and concludes on March 12, 2027, in Leicester, covering 18 cities.
The Context Behind the Tours
These tours follow a remarkably productive period for Wakeman despite his health challenges. His recent album Melancholia entered the official album charts at number 19, a significant achievement for a classically influenced progressive rock release.
Wakeman’s career has spanned over five decades, during which he has produced more than 100 solo albums that have collectively sold over 50 million copies. Beyond his solo work and tenure with Yes, he has contributed to recordings by David Bowie, Elton John, T. Rex, Cat Stevens, and Black Sabbath.
His influence extends beyond music into broadcasting, with hundreds of television appearances including hosting Live at Jongleurs and serving as a team captain on Bygones for BBC One. He also presents Rick’s Place on Planet Rock digital radio, which has been the number one listened-to programme on digital radio for three consecutive years.
For fans concerned about whether the surgery might affect his performances, Wakeman’s own words offer reassurance. “I’m doing really well and driving my lovely wife nuts,” he said in his November 2025 update.
How to Find Tickets and Updates
The authoritative source for all tour dates, venue information, and ticket links is Rick Wakeman’s official website at rickwakeman.co.uk. Venue websites and established ticketing platforms such as Ticketmaster also carry listings for specific shows.
Given that the 2025 Caped Crusader tour sold out numerous dates and the Devizes Wakeman & Son show prompted a return engagement, fans are advised to secure tickets early for these upcoming performances. The combination of Wakeman’s enduring popularity, his triumphant return to health, and the rare family collaborations on offer makes these tours among the most anticipated progressive rock events of 2026 and 2027.Yes. Rick Wakeman has three major tours confirmed for 2026 and 2027. The keyboard legend returns to the road following successful brain surgery in November 2025, with a US run alongside his son Oliver in March 2026, a festive UK tour in December 2026, and an extensive UK tour with the English Rock Ensemble in early 2027.
What are the Rick Wakeman tour dates for 2026?
The Wakeman & Son US tour runs from March 11 to March 29, 2026, spanning 13 shows. It marks the first time Rick has toured with his eldest son Oliver, a fellow former member of Yes. The setlist draws from their joint musical heritage and latest recordings, including Yes classics and Rick’s solo material.
The A Hint of Xmas UK tour takes place from December 4 to December 13, 2026, visiting seven venues including Devizes, Portsmouth, and Milton Keynes. Rick performs alongside Oliver Wakeman and vocalist Mollie Marriott.
What is The Wizard of Prog tour?
The Wizard of Prog – Ultimate Highlights Concert Tour is Rick Wakeman’s 2027 UK run with the English Rock Ensemble. It begins on February 17, 2027, in Brighton and concludes on March 12, 2027, in Leicester, covering 18 cities including Manchester, Edinburgh, London, and Birmingham.
The setlist will span Rick’s solo catalogue, Yes material, and excerpts from concept albums like The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The band lineup is the same as the 2025 Caped Crusader tour, featuring Jesse Smith on vocals, Adam Wakeman on keyboards and guitars, and Dave Colquhoun on guitars.
Did Rick Wakeman have surgery?
Yes. Rick Wakeman underwent corrective brain surgery in November 2025 for normal pressure hydrocephalus, a neurological condition affecting fluid balance in the brain. The surgery was described as “very successful” in an official statement, and his surgeon confirmed he would be fit to travel for the March 2026 US tour and future engagements.
Wakeman maintained his characteristic humour in addressing fans. “It doesn’t seem to have affected my piano playing in any way as I still seem to be very capable of hitting the odd wrong note here and there when I lose my concentration,” he said.
How can I get tickets for Rick Wakeman’s tours?
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and venue box offices. For the most authoritative information, visit Rick Wakeman’s official website at rickwakeman.co.uk, which maintains a complete listing of confirmed dates and ticket links.
Fans holding tickets from the postponed 2025 Strictly Wakeman Tour will find those tickets valid for the rescheduled March 2026 shows at the same venues. Given that recent tours have sold out multiple dates, early purchase is recommended.
