The 2024 festival will run from Saturday 15 June to Sunday 21 July.
Add thrilling theatre, book events, talks and poetry, exhibitions, walks, tours, cinema, open days and galas and there really is something for everyone. Grounded in the Chichester community, the festival aspires to the stars. We are pleased to welcome local and international performers of the highest calibre.
We are delighted to have the continuing support of our distinguished President Kate Mosse and Patron, Dame Patricia Routledge.
As always, Chichester itself is the star of our programme – the starting point for all the talents we are offering you. As ever, we are delighted to be joined by national and international performers of the highest calibre, ready to discover just what a great city we have here.
Once again, we are proud to boast a clean sweep of our very best arts and community groups and our most talented individuals, be they artists, actors, poets or musicians. Chichester has got artistic importance, which goes way beyond its size as a city, and it’s this we have captured in all its freshness, fun and vibrancy.
We like to think there will be something for everybody, whatever their age or interests.
A quick glance at the event categories gives a sense of the scope: classical music, jazz, blues, folk, rock, pop and light music; spoken word; theatre; art and craft; cinema; walks and tours; food and drink; dance; church events; open days, fetes and much more.
Are you are looking to take part?
A thank you
The festival is a magnificent summer centrepiece, but it doesn’t happen without a huge effort behind the scenes. Once again, it is a privilege to work through the months with our wonderful festival committee. They all give their time freely to make this summer Festival the best it can possibly be. We must also offer our heartfelt thanks to the Chichester Observer. We also owe huge thanks to Chichester City Council, which has been a steadfast supporter from the outset. Once again, it has supported us generously. So too our business sponsors and supporters. We are extremely grateful to them all.
The festival is a registered charity, no. 1167936.
“I’d like to say I’ve loved being part of the festival for the first time – it was a real privilege. The success of my event despite necessary indoor social distancing, and the enthusiasm of the audience, delighted me. And everyone I dealt with on the organisational side (the Festival organisers, staff at the Novium box office and those at the New Park Centre) was so helpful and efficient. A very big thank-you to you all.”
Liz Sagues, “Fabulous Fizz”
“I had two absolutely happy days in Chichester! Thank you so much for everything! My heart is full of joy! I will be waiting for another chance to return one day.”
Elena Toponogova
Elena, a fantastic young Russian pianist, was delighted to be part of the Festival at Chichester Cathedral – she did a brilliant solo lunchtime concert and also provided the music for the Poetry and Music with Dame Penelope Keith event.
“It’s taken guts to stage the 2021 Festival of Chichester during a pandemic – the committee has worked hard to ensure that despite everything a sense of the normal remains tangible and fresh.”
