This year’s past events

The Fringe is back at multiple venues throughout the city. We are an annual multi-arts festival, this year featuring 70 artists to enthrall you with new drama, stand-up comedy, music, cabaret, variety, dance, poetry and unbelievable magic. Visit chichesterfringe.co.uk for...

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, ceramics and beautiful jewellery. For more information...

George Harrison wrote some of the Beatles’ most beautiful songs (Here Comes The Sun, Something…). During his solo career he continued to create masterpieces. Alex Eberhard and Bernd Rest (The All Things Must Pass Duo) have arranged many of his...

Local, contemporary sculptor Helen Solly is exhibiting her unique handmade sculptures throughout Denmans Garden. Helen graduated from Chichester University with a first-class degree in fine art with sculpture, and she was inspired to create these metal sculptures after walking around...

This exhibition showcases how dinosaurs started life as hatchlings. Discover the secrets of those dinosaur babies with specimens from around the world. Skeletons, models and artwork bring the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods to life. Visit the webpage. Tickets £5, child £3,...

This special programme hosted by author Simon Brett will include aspects of William Shakespeare’s London life, costume and fashion and a look at how his works have been played out around the world in film. Speakers for the day are...

Chichester City Tours offers a 90-minute walking tour of Chichester, taking in highlights and interesting facts and stories of the history of our city, many of its interesting buildings and the lives of some of its prominent residents. Our guides...

Aside from friendly jokes mocking each other’s losses, all is calm at Poddington Bowling Club – until club member Florence is found lifeless on the outside green. Who wanted her dead? Are the club members all as innocent as they...

Have fun designing a sacred space, an ‘altar’ for yourself to create within your home. In this workshop, led by Linzi Martin, we’ll celebrate and encourage aspects of yourself and your life. Integrating treasured items, inspirational words and colours that...

Cellists Lynden Cranham and Tom Parker are joined by violinist Emma Parker in evoking the sounds of an early Victorian music room, with commentary by writer and broadcaster Roger Parker. Drinks and nibbles will follow; all proceeds to the beautiful...

English stage and screen actor, Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, the Paddington films, etc.) will be in conversation about his career, in aid of the local children’s charity, The Sussex Snowdrop Trust. Sparkling wine and canapes. Tickets £35 via thesussexsnowdroptrust.com. Location:...

Join us at the Cathedral for a wonderful summer evening of buoyant musical colour, contrasting the rhythmic energy and jazz influences of John Rutter – Birthday Madrigals and Shearing – Songs and Sonnets with the vibrant Spanish sound world of...

The vocal quintet Los Ladrones was formed by Geoff Porter in 2013 to revive concert versions of Victorian and Edwardian British Musical Theatre and especially the lesser known works of Arthur Sullivan. Its programme will include performances of two shows,...

Unique street ventriloquist! Bewitchingly mesmerizing, delightfully astonishing, Miss Merlynda Merry pops up around town throughout the Festival performing her hilariously improvised Commedia Dell Arte/Circus-inspired ‘ventriloquist acts’ with her cheekily cute ventriloquist dolls! For kids of all ages! Cheeky! – Chatty!...

An easy 90-minute stroll with an ITG qualified 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 2000...

Chichester Walls Trust leads a 90-minute guided tour around the city’s two-kilometre circuit of historic walls, with insights into the walls’ construction in Roman times, their survival through two millenia and their continuing importance. Parts of the city walls are...

Fishbourne Literary Festival presents a special event with Conn Iggulden. Conn is one of the most successful authors of historical fiction writing today. Join him for a fascinating talk in St. Peter and St Mary Church, Fishbourne, PO19 3XT. Conn...

The Chichester Society is hosting a panel discussion by people deeply involved in Chichester’s life who are concerned about the future of our historic city, chaired by the Chichester Observer’s Phil Hewitt. What does our panel, and you, suggest will...

Step into the Lady Chapel and unlock its hidden tales on this captivating tour. Delve into the pre-Reformation era, where visionary Bishops shaped its architecture. ​Witness the chapel’s post-Reformation transformation, and explore Victorian renovations that seamlessly blend tradition with innovation....

Hailing from the East Coast of America, performance artist William Fontaine brings his unique brand of poetic storytelling to West Sussex. Provocative, playful, and unpredictable in his use of word and sound, there is only one question Fontaine asks of...

Join Cicestrian and international bestselling author Kate Mosse for the exclusive Festival of Chichester paperback launch of her breathtaking novel, The Ghost Ship – with a sneak preview of the final novel in The Joubert Family Chronicles, The Map of...

Come and celebrate the Summer Solstice at Denmans Garden with a rare chance to take an evening stroll through the award winning, Grade II-registered garden. Tickets include a delicious BBQ served up by Midpines Cafe. A unique opportunity to visit...

On the longest day of the year, Big Notes Choir presents an informal Summer evening concert, including many choral pop arrangements and one or two classical gems, interspersed with solo items from the choir including music from Pentatonix to Morton...

Prize-winning pianist Julian Chan presents an exciting programme of music depicting vibrant cultures and landscapes both near and far away. Featuring thrilling works by Debussy, Liszt, and Lysenko, the evening culminates with a rare complete performance of Godowsky’s Java Suite,...

Three best-selling historical-fiction authors, Suzanne Goldring, Louise Morrish and Gill Thompson, examine why readers eagerly consume novels set during WW1 and WW2. Ranging from the occupation of the Channel Islands to the Special Operations Executive and the Blitz, this lively...

A mystery novel needs: a tight-knit group of characters, seething with resentment and jealousy; a clever murder method; a compelling location; a dramatic denouement; and a pacy story-telling style. How hard can it be? Greg Mosse is the author of...

Join us for an engaging day of observational drawing, guided tour, and shared stories led by artist Helen Friend. Unlock your artistic potential and immerse yourself in the vibrant cityscape of Chichester, blending creativity with history. Our day begins at...

Join Ensemble Reza as they return for their 10th Festival concert, sponsored by Close Brothers, with a special programme celebrating women classical composers with music through the ages, and from across the world. Based in Mid-Sussex and established ten years...

A bi-monthly cabaret club for gown ups wanting a good time! A mixed cast variety show with plenty of sauce and pizazz. Not for the faint-hearted, it features burlesque, drag and comedy. Produced and hosted by Dawn Gracie who personally...

Get ready to be dazzled by the PZAZZ Singers in an electrifying concert! Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with chart-topping hits from iconic artists like Queen, ABBA, Meghan Trainor, and many more. From soul-stirring ballads to high-energy anthems,...

Striking a masterful balance between old soul and modern flair, Will Johns is one of the most distinctive and exciting British Blues performers. Born in 1973, this is a man with the music in his blood, but it’s hardly surprising...

Join local historian and author Alan Green on this popular walk (for approximately two hours) that explores Chichester’s Georgian architecture and meets a few of its Georgian characters along the way. Sunday June 23, 10.30am & Sunday July 7, 2.30pm...

Formed at the Royal Academy of Music in 2019, the Mera Horn Trio presents a programme of major works by Dame Ethel Smyth (Concerto originally for Violin, Horn and Orchestra) and Johannes Brahms (Horn Trio in E-flat major, Op. 40)....

‘Music & Myth’ will transport audiences back to a time when bards played music and told stories around the fire. Visionary harp-guitarist Jon Pickard plays incredibly beautiful music and tells ancient tales (Celtic Saints, Welsh Giants, Eastern Mystics and more)....

An evening of Greek Rebetiko music by Tsitsanis, one of its greatest icons. He revolutionised the sound of Greek music blending modal and byzantine melodies with western harmonies and traditional rhythmic patterns. His imagination and creativity knew no bounds, and...

Arun & Chichester Air Enthusiasts Society presents a Talk by Duncan Dean, former RAF fighter pilot, about the BAE Systems Hawk covering the design, development, and operation of the last all-British built military aircraft. He will take you to the...

West Dean head gardener Tom Brown, in conversation with Observer arts editor Phil Hewitt. Tom was at RHS Wisley before ten years at Parham House and has been gardening at West Dean College since 2019. He writes for BBC Sussex,...

Emerging artists from the fine art BA at the University of Chichester showcase their work in a dynamic exhibition which includes textiles, painting, print, sculpture and digital photography.  Fourteen recent Fine Art graduates re-present their 2024 Degree Show in the...

Monthly low-cost lunch-time cabaret club in Chichester with a cabaret ambiance designed to bring sassy seniors together for an afternoon of glamorous, cheeky fun. Featuring vintage and cabaret entertainment with an immersive edge. Includes light afternoon tea, music, cabaret show,...

Professor Maggie Andrews talks about her latest book, Political Women: Fifteen Campaigns that Shaped Twenty-First Century Britain. Everyone has heard of the Suffragettes. Professor Andrews also explores some of the less well-known political campaigns fought by women in the last...

Acclaimed poets Maura Dooley and Jeremy Page link with Mike Carey’s Big House Jazz Band to entertain and inspire. There’s also the launch of Poetry & All That Jazz magazine with South Downs poets. Enjoy a delightful mix of words...

This richly illustrated lecture, picks out the major architectural innovations that the ancient Romans introduced. He discusses how the Roman period built on Greek heritage, introduced new architectural orders, and learned to span great voids, with arches, domes, brick and...

Paul Stickler, retired inspector, investigates the 1962 A6 murder using personal papers discovered in 2017 from the woman who survived the attack – Valerie Storie. Reservations: It is necessary to book seats via bookings@talksatsix.co.uk or online at www.talksatsix.co.uk. Although admission is...

Chichester Pride is delighted to be invited back for a third annual takeover of Pallant House Gallery, with a night full of fun activities. Courtyard entertainment will feature an incredible line-up of music and performance, and there will be free...

Join the globally-bestselling author Anthony Horowitz as he discusses his newest Alex Rider book Nightshade Revenge with fellow bestselling author, Kate Mosse, plus an opportunity to hear about his latest book for adults, Close to Death. A chance for all...

An exhibition of paintings by Fiona Bell Currie, many of local areas: views from the Trundle, Bosham, Bishop’s Palace Garden and coastal walks. New greeting cards and prints for sale with proceeds going to Brain Tumour Research.  A chance to...

Medicine Woman Amanda Waring leads an empowering and motivating magical event to re-energise and activate self-belief. Enjoy a beautiful sound bath, drumming journey, energy exercises to raise your vibration into a state of liberation, motivation and joy. Be welcomed by...

The hugely-popular West Dean Summer Show will showcase original work by emerging artists on the Graduate Diploma and MFA programmes as well as graduating BA Craft students. Held in the Edward James Studios, the show will feature a diverse range...

Opening concert by international recitalist Margaret Phillips of the newly restored pipe organ in St John’s Church, Chichester. The programme will include works by Handel, Samuel Wesley, the Chichester composer John Marsh and other English composers contemporary with the building...

Helen Hooker directs the Hampshire Recorder Sinfonia in a world premiere of  Three Paintings by Millais: The North-West Passage, Ophelia and The Boyhood of Raleigh by Steve Marshall. Dangerous missions, quiet beauty and rumbustious derring-do all feature in Steve’s remarkable music....

On a summer’s evening come and enjoy a lovely entertainment on Marriage by Alan Ayckbourn, George Melly, James Saunders, Harold Pinter, Alun Owen, Fay Weldon, David Campton, Lyndon Brook and John Bowen. Tickets allow entry to West Dean Gardens from...

On the morning of Saturday 29th June, from 10.00 a.m. onwards, we will be hosting an open day at the Priory Playhouse, Arundel, for those of you interested in having a look ‘behind the scenes’ and talking to those responsible...

Come and enjoy a great day out with music, dance, food, games and funfair. Whether you’re a resident or visitor, we’re sure you will find something to enjoy. A free entry community event for all. Get ready for an unforgettable...

This relaxed and meditative experience invites you to connect with nature, find inspiration in your surroundings, and express yourself through the gentle art of drawing. No pressure, no expectations -just easy art and summer fun. We begin our day at...

Come and listen and relax to exotic, mystical, meditative music from the beautiful Indonesian island of Java. You can’t miss us, we will be playing our gongs and metallophones on ‘Jeraldine’, our big purple double decker bus, as part of...

The 60 Minute Orchestra once again perform Bognor Regis’s Opera Night with Celebrity Soloists drawn from such acclaimed institutions as The English National Opera, Welsh National Opera. Opera Arias include Habanera by Blizet, Vesta La Giubba by Leon Cavaollo, Flower...

The professional singers of Chichester-based consort, South Downs Soloists, return with their vibrant voices to the Festival. Celebrating the music of Renaissance masters Thomas Tallis and Robert White, extolled by Morley as “greatest glory of our muses”. Featuring the first...

New Theatre Productions present Tom Jones by Joan Macalpine and Henry Fielding. A ripe, rich, rowdy romp. Great fun! Tickets allow entry to West Dean Gardens from 5.30pm, picnics welcome. Tickets £10. June 29, July 3, 5, 9, 11and 13...

The Southdowns Concert Band will be performing a very special Last Night of the Proms Concert especially for the Festival. They will also be joined by the choir of St. Paul’s Church. Conductors will be Kirsty Sanders & Christopher Larley....

A varied programme to include Fingal’s Cave by Mendelssohn, Petite Suite by Debussy, Capriol Suite by Warlock, an organ duet by Chichester composer John Marsh and an engaging suite for piano and organ by Denis Bedard. Retiring collection for Chestnut...