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Welcome to the Festival of Chichester: 12 June – 11 July 2021

The Festival of Chichester is a month-long celebration of the arts running from mid-June to mid-July each year in the historic city of Chichester. Classical music, rock, blues, jazz, folk, pop, cinema, spoken word, community concerts and shows, arts & crafts, dance, theatre, church, food & drink, walks and tours, sport and a lot more.

We present a truly exciting and varied line up of over 100 events every summer, combining a brilliant programme of classical music with the best in jazz, blues, folk, rock, pop and world music.

Find out more about the Festival.

Either browse through the events in chronological order, use the boxes above to narrow down your search, select a category from the menu at the top of the page, or go to the Calendar page to check out what’s on each day.

ART EXHIBITION BY CATHERINE BARNES
8 June 2021
“Waterscapes” The Sea and the River; Paintings by Catherine Barnes in the new Reception Gallery at the refurbished Oxmarket Gallery. “Since March 2020 I have walked at all times of the day from home around the Chichester College grounds. The...
SUMMER ACOUSTIC NIGHTS
11 June 2021
We are excited to announce we will be opening the doors to The Pavilion – Graylingwell Park on the 7th June and will be launching our summer acoustic nights on Friday June 11th. A chance to sit back and listen...
PAINT OUT MASTERS 2021
12 June 2021
Tidy St. Art School and Chichester Cathedral are excited to announce Paint Out Masters 2021 (POM21) – an outdoor painting competition taking place across Chichester’s historic Cathedral Quarter, designed to draw out the local artistic talent. Tidy St. Art School...
£6
INSPIRED BY LIGHT
12 June 2021
The Little Art Gallery in West Wittering will this year bring together a mixed exhibition by three popular artists who have interpreted the subject “Inspired by Light” in their own special way. Their work should complement each other providing a...
CELEBRATING KEATS: THE BICENTENARY, 2021
12 June 2021
A video film for the South Downs Poetry Festival, in association with the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association and the University of Chichester. Enjoy a stimulating programme of readings, talks and music to commemorate the anniversary of Keats’ death in Rome. Search...
HIGHLIGHTS OF CHICHESTER’S HISTORY
13 June 2021
An easy 90-minute stroll with an ITG qualified, knowledgeable Green or Blue Badge guide takes you through Chichester’s past within the historic walls of this beautiful city. From Roman times to the present day, we give an intriguing insight into...
£10
TEARS OF JOY – ARTWORKS BY YOUNG ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES
14 June 2021
Tears of Joy is an exhibition of artworks created by young asylum seekers and refugees from across the Chichester District, presented at Chichester Cathedral from 14th – 21st June to mark Refugee Week 2021. Developed by Article 12 Arts in...
CONCERTS AT CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL
14 June 2021
Chichester Cathedral’s lunchtime concerts return with a series of organ recitals. Although entry is free, booking is essential and will be made available via the Cathedral’s Ticketsource pages. See links for the individual events below. These concerts will also be...
Free
CHICHESTER ART SOCIETY ANNUAL EXHIBITION
15 June 2021
The Society’s annual exhibition of original and contemporary art offers a wonderful opportunity to acquire unique artwork at an affordable price. There will be a wide range of works including paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics. For more information please visit...
ONLINE RETRO BINGO WITH DAWN GRACIE
15 June 2021
An online vintage evening with Dawn Gracie playing the nations favourite game! Join from your sofa anywhere in the world! Zoomers can expect Bingo, Quiz, songs from Dawn and plenty of interactive fun. Lots of prizes to be won. This...
£8
THE MASKS OF ANARCHY
15 June 2021
Explore a poetical take on the response to the pandemic in the tradition of political commentary by Swift and Shelley as Barry Smith and multi-instrumentalist Charlotte Glasson look behind the masks that have come to be a commonplace fixture of...
CHICHESTER FREE FRINGE
16 June 2021
Showcasing creative talent in a live broadcast over the internet, we offer you three days of completely free fringe events. Showtimes and performers were announced on 1 June. We are delighted to give a platform for comedy, music, theatre, dance,...
FRIDA KAHLO – A LIFE IN ART BY FIONA ROSE
17 June 2021
This Mexican artist was Queen Of The Selfies before Kim Kardashian. Her work is often graphic and unflinching, with subjects including murder, suicide, marital infidelity, miscarriage, revolution and living with disability and death. Adults only. This presentation is the highlight...
£6
CASTALIAN QUARTET WITH DANIEL LEBHARDT
18 June 2021
JANACEK: String Quartet No.1 Kreutzer BEETHOVEN: Appassionata Sonata BRAHMS: Piano Quintet Named 2019 Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist of the Year, the Castalian Quartet’s recent and forthcoming highlights include debut invitations to Carnegie Hall, Vienna Konzerthaus, Paris Philharmonie, Auditorium du...
£18
ELDERFLOWER CHAMPAGNE MAKING ON THE ORCHARD
19 June 2021
Learn how to make elderflower champagne with our Herbalist Steve Taylor (The Medicine Garden), using flowers from the Whyke Community Orchard. Sample the brew and enjoy the peace of the orchard amongst the 8 year old heritage apple trees now...
£5
CHICHESTER ART TRAIL HUB
19 June 2021
The place to discover all things Art Trail…with a new gallery to show Trail artists’ work.Collect your free Trail Guide, choose artists to visit and plan your route for the 2 Trail weekends in mid July.Free admission.Visit www.chichesterarttrail.org for more...
FABULOUS FIZZ
19 June 2021
Award-winning Chichester wine writer Liz Sagues introduces her new book, Sussex by the Glass, and explains the county’s role in the fascinating story of modern English wine. Sip a glass of fine Sussex sparkling wine, ask questions and browse Liz’s...
£10
GUIDED TOURS OF CITY WALLS
20 June 2021
A guided tour of City Walls by Chichester Walls Trust. 20 June 27 June 4 July 11 July all at 14.00 from The Novium. A 90-minute guided tour round the two-kilometre circuit of the city's historic walls with insights into...
£5.00
WALKING ON SUNSHINE – A FEEL-GOOD SHOW
20 June 2021
Join CAOS Musical Productions for an evening of Feel Good Music as we bring you Walking On Sunshine: A Feel-Good Show! This virtual show includes covers of some of your favourite artists including Tina Turner, the Four Tops and Bonnie...
£10
LEGENDS OF SPORT, MUSIC & THE MOVIES
22 June 2021
An exhibition of signed limited edition prints by International Caricaturist Bob Hoare. Bob's caricatures have been featured in hundreds of newspapers and magazines all over the world on a regular basis for over 50 years. He is also well known...
KATE SIMMS TALK: DR VAWDREY’S ART THERAPY
22 June 2021
Learn about the incredible pioneering work of Dr Vawdrey that took place at the West Sussex County Asylum at Graylingwell. Take a step into the past, to find out how Dr Vawdrey used art as therapeutic treatment for patients. Hear...
£10
SIKHS AND SEVA: HELPING OTHERS IN TIMES OF CRISIS
22 June 2021
A discussion on Seva, ‘ voluntary service’ in Sikhism, organised by the Chichester Quaker Interfaith Group. Held on Zoom: free entry, but booking essential. A discussion between Eleanor Nesbitt ( Quaker and Professor Emeritus, Education Studies, Warwick University) and Sikhs...
HOW THE WORLD THINKS, WITH JULIAN BAGGINI
22 June 2021
Join Chichester Humanists for a talk by Julian Baggini on ‘How the World Thinks’ as part of the Festival of Chichester. Julian Baggini will explain how philosophy has developed around the world and both impacted and reflected the cultures in...
Free
DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
23 June 2021
Darkness Into Light is an exhibition of multi-layered, textured artworks by Artist Michèle Griffiths. This exhibition runs from 23 June to 8 August. Free entry. The collection explores the possibility of hope in dark times: the triumph of light over...
BASICALLY BEETHOVEN
23 June 2021
The principal players of The Hanover Band join orchestral students from the University of Chichester in a showcase concert including Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony. Conducted by Stephen Threlfall, former Head of Music at Chethams, the concert marks the culmination of an...
HISTORY TALK: THE TRAIL OF THE PERIPATETIC FONT!
23 June 2021
Join us for a talk on the fortunes of a medieval font, whose story echoes the history of Christianity in Chichester, by local historians Caroline Adams and Alan Green. Includes wine and nibbles and the launch of the book The...
£10
THE RUNAWAY SHOW
23 June 2021
…A creative ‘genius’!…Maverick magazine ‘Jimmy Lee’s songs and life story come together in a show, with Jimmy, his guitar, wonderful songs and narrative linked to projected images that give you a personal insight into one of the most incredible life...
£5
POETRY & JAZZ CAFE
24 June 2021
Acclaimed poets Raine Geoghegan and James Simpson team up with jazz stars the Charlotte Glasson Trio with legendary guitarist Chris Spedding to inspire and entertain. Raine will read her Romani poems and James from his new collection. Enjoy a delightful...
£15
EXHIBITION OF CATHERINE BARNES PAINTINGS 1
25 June 2021
Art Exhibition of paintings by Catherine Barnes featuring the River Lavant on its journey through Chichester College grounds throughout the seasons of the lockdowns. “Pictures in the Porch” is a unique way of showing artworks safely. 100 other paintings are...
BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN: FILM SCREENING, WITH A NEW ORCHESTRAL SCORE BY CRISPIN WARD
25 June 2021
Battleship Potemkin, one of the most influential films ever made, comes to the big screen together with the premiere of a new orchestral score. In 1925 Sergei Eisenstein was commissioned to produce a film celebrating the 20 years anniversary of...
£10
EXHIBITION OF CATHERINE BARNES PAINTINGS 2
26 June 2021
Art Exhibition of paintings by Catherine Barnes featuring the River Lavant on its journey through Chichester College grounds throughout the seasons of the lockdowns. “Pictures in the Porch” is a unique way of showing artworks safely. 100 other paintings are...
‘HARP-GUITAR’ IN CONCERT
26 June 2021
A truly unique artist playing the rare and wonderful “harp-guitar”. Classical/folk original. Actually, there will be two events on 26/06/2021 – one at lunchtime (13:00), and one in the evening (19:30 – 21:00). Moments of musical bliss. “Harp-guitars” are extremely...
£9.00
GEOFF ROBB – THE MUSIC OF TREES
26 June 2021
Join Geoff Robb, winner of the 2018 Brighton Fringe Live Music Award, for an evening of magical storytelling and virtuoso guitar that promises to transport you out into the woods. Watch his trailer on YouTube and watch him playing “Angel”...
£10
PIERS ADAMS WITH ORBITA BAROQUE ORCHESTRA
26 June 2021
An evening concert with recorder virtuoso Piers Adams and Orbita Baroque Orchestra performing Telemann, Vivaldi concerti plus Bach’s famous Double Violin Concerto, featuring soloists Oxana Dodon and Julia Bishop, ending with Handel’s Fireworks Music. The orchestra, formed out of the...
£10
FEAST OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL HERITAGE EUCHARIST
27 June 2021
Sung Eucharist to celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul – Patronal festival All welcome. Refreshments provided. Organiser: St Paul's Church https://www.stpaulschichester.org https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Anglican-Church/St-Pauls-Church-Chichester-243025992390923/ https://twitter.com/stpaulschi?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/stpaulschi/
EXHIBITION OF CATHERINE BARNES PAINTINGS 3
27 June 2021
Art Exhibition of paintings by Catherine Barnes featuring the River Lavant on its journey through Chichester College grounds throughout the seasons of the lockdowns. “Pictures in the Porch” is a unique way of showing artworks safely. 100 other paintings are...
LYDIA & GEORGE – THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF ELIZABETH BENNET’S SCANDALOUS SISTER
27 June 2021
A brilliant rehearsed reading of a brand-new play by Lucy Flannery & Greg Mosse, set 25 years after PRIDE & PREJUDICE. Can Lydia and George possibly be happy? Who is their mysterious maidservant? The script will be read by a...
£5
AFTERNOON TEA WITH THE SLEEPY LAGOON DANCE ORCHESTRA
27 June 2021
Afternoon tea on the University Festival Field with the Sleepy Lagoon Dance Orchestra. Come along and listen to us strike up the band with a concert of toe tappingly good music from the dance band era. The concert will be...
BEATING THE BOUNDS: AN ANCIENT WALK AROUND ST PAUL’S PARISH BOUNDARIES
27 June 2021
Join the Town Crier, St Paul’s Clergy, Choir and congregation in the ancient custom of beating the parish boundaries (approx. one hour). This starts in the Cathedral at the site of the font of St Peter the Great, which moved...
WHERE ANGELS TREAD
27 June 2021
Two Authors. Two very different books, linked by hope, compassion and courage. Sussex author Helen Garlick’s memoir uncovers family secrets and their corrosive effects. Suzanne Alderson’s book Never Let Go offers a way forward for parents of children experiencing mental...
£10
ARTEL ALCHEMY EXHIBITION
29 June 2021
ARTEL is an established group of contemporary artists who are based in and around Chichester. They hold an annual exhibition of their work with most pieces for sale. This year ALCHEMY is being held at the newly renovated Oxmarket Gallery...
ENSEMBLE REZA – RUSSIAN DREAMS
29 June 2021
Ensemble Reza are well-known for their virtuoso and welcoming concerts and are regular performers at the Festival. To celebrate their return to performing live with an ‘in venue’ audience, Ensemble Reza have planned two great Russian masterpieces: Tchaikovsky Souvenir de...
£18
JENNY BATHURST – SPOKEN WORD: BOOK LAUNCH
30 June 2021
Jenny Bathurst was 18 when the pandemic turned her life upside down. She coped by writing a weekly newspaper column about life in successive lockdowns. She launches those columns now as a book which chronicles a remarkable year for us...
£3
ACIS AND GALATEA: BY G.F.HANDEL, CONCERT PERFORMANCE
30 June 2021
A full concert performance of the opera Acis and Galatea by G.F.Handel. Orbita Baroque combine with the University of Chichester Conservatoire to perform one of Handel’s best-loved opera, conducted by John Hancorn. The music critic Stanley Sadie considered Acis and...
£10
MEET THE TREE WARDENS BEHIND THE NEW PARK CENTRE
1 July 2021
Come and have a conversation with the volunteer Tree Wardens. Find out about the trees we help to conserve across the city and hear about nearby specimen trees. Details of how to contact your nearest Tree Warden if you have...
Free
IN CONVERSATION WITH KATE MOSSE
1 July 2021
Internationally bestselling local author, Kate Mosse, will be speaking about her latest novel, ‘The City of Tears’. This will be Kate’s home launch event for this second title in her epic historical adventure series which started with ‘The Burning Chambers’....
£10
INTERNATIONAL PIANO: ELENA TOPONOGOVA
2 July 2021
Rising star Russian pianist Elena Toponogova returns to Chichester with a delightful programme of Russian Romantic music. Elena is a graduate of the Moscow State Conservatoire and a prize-winner in international competitions in Italy and the US. Her programme includes...
THE SPIRIT OF WOODSTOCK
2 July 2021
A thought-provoking, poignant, dynamic, and semi-immersive theatre collage of the worlds and era that surrounded the “Mother of Free Festivals.” Inspired by the ethos of the hippie, counterculture, and free festival movements, and still retaining remnants of these traditions, award-winning...
£14
BOND IS BACK: THE SPECTRE ORCHESTRA PLAY BOND
2 July 2021
Join us for an evening of the music of James Bond. Full, live SPECTRE orchestra and soloists perform all the double agent’s greatest hits, Goldfinger, From Russia with Love, Skyfall conducted by James “007” Lelean. On 2 July and repeated...
£10
THE GREAT ROMANTICS – SCHUMANN, BRAHMS, MENDELSSOHN. PAVLOS CARVALHO – CELLO, LOUISA LAM – PIANO
2 July 2021
Works for cello and piano by three of the most profoundly romantic composers of the 19th century. Cellist Pavlos Carvalho, chamber musician with Ensemble Reza and soloist with orchestras including The Covent Garden Chamber orchestra and Royal Philharmonic, joins with...
£12
OLIVIA STEVENS & CO.
2 July 2021
Singer-songwriter Olivia (formerly of Ruby & The Revelators) will be performing alongside some fine musicians as she delights audiences with her uniquely warm and engaging mix of jazz & blues tinged torch songs, coupled with a large helping of smokin’...
£12
WORDS AND SILENCE: POETRY WITH PHILIP GROSS
3 July 2021
Join Quaker poet, Philip Gross (T. S. Eliot prize winner) for a zoom poetry workshop session, starting at 11am and a free poetry reading session with Philip at 5pm. In aid of Earthwatch. For up to fifteen participants. Participants from...
£15.00
HERITAGE WALK AND TALK: THE HISTORY OF GRAYLINGWELL
3 July 2021
Meet at the newly refurbished Pavilion and head off with Historian Greg Slay to learn about the rich history of the Graylingwell site. Finish up back at the Pavilion for a hot drink and something sweet. Booking essential as places...
£10
QUAKERS IN CHICHESTER PODCASTS BY MICHAEL WOOLLEY
3 July 2021
Local Quaker Michael Woolley, author of ‘Quakers in Chichester’ recorded a series of seven podcasts during lockdown. We celebrate the release of his recordings of Quaker history in our town. The podcasts cover how Quakers formed, followed by six notable...
CREAM TEA AT ST PAUL’S
3 July 2021
Come along and join us for cream tea. See you there! All welcome. Organiser: St Paul's Church https://www.stpaulschichester.org/ https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/category/Anglican-Church/St-Pauls-Church-Chichester-243025992390923/ https://twitter.com/stpaulschi?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/stpaulschi/ Main ticket price (£): 5
£5
MUSIC FOR TEATIME
3 July 2021
Come and join us! Songs, organ and piano music will include themes in celebration of St Paul’s heritage in the community by St Paul’s Music Director and St Paul’s Organists. See you there! All welcome. Refreshments provided. Free admission, with...
POETRY READINGS WITH PHILIP GROSS
3 July 2021
Join Quaker poet, Philip Gross (T. S. Eliot prize winner) for a Zoom poetry reading with him and other participants, starting at 5pm. This event will be linked to a poetry workshop that takes place earlier on the same day....
£10
ROB JOHNSTON IN CONCERT
3 July 2021
Acoustic guitar brilliance with Rob Johnston returning to the Festival joined by percussionist Tim Gower. With his unique style, Rob plays a dynamic and rhythmic mix of music and songs using plectrum and fingerstyle techniques, looping and guitar percussion. Book...
£8
FLAMENCO DANCE WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN
4 July 2021
Flamenco Dance Workshops for girls and boys with Helena “La Leyenda” from International Flamenco Dance company Cancion Gitana. Flamenco Dance Workshops for Girls and Boys aged from 6-12 years. Girls 10.30am to 11.30am, Boys 11.30am to 12.30. Costs £10 per...
£10
A WALK AROUND GEORGIAN CHICHESTER
4 July 2021
Join local historian and author Alan Green on this popular walk (approx two hours) that explores Chichester’s Georgian architecture and meets a few of its Georgian characters along the way. Meet outside Edes House, West St. Organiser: Alan Green Main...
£5

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