Get ready for the Festival of Chichester!

We might be a little biased but Chichester really is a great place to live! There are always plenty of things to do or see and the sense of community is immense when people come together for local events.

This summer we are excited to see the Festival of Chichester in action between Saturday 11^th June and Sunday 10^th July, when more than 100 events for all ages take place. There’s something for everyone, from music, theatre, cinema and poetry to exhibitions, open days and processions.

Here are some of White & Brooks’s favourites over the coming weeks:

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee gala procession & family fun day

4^th June from 11am

Join the city in a gala procession through Chichester at 11am, followed by a family fun afternoon with stalls and attractions in Priory Park from 12pm. There will be fun for the whole family and a finale sing-along with the Chichester City Band at 5pm.

Open-air gala to mark the festival’s launch

11^th June from 2pm-4pm

Novelist Kate Mosse and the Mayor of Chichester will be opening the festival from the city’s cathedral green. A magnificent line up of music is planned, including performances from the Bernardi Music Group, HM Army Band Sandhurst and Olivia Stevens.

Chichester Festival Eucharist at Chichester Cathedral

12^th June from 11am-2:30pm

A sung Eucharist to launch the festival. Free entry, everyone welcome and disabled access.

Glyn Philpot: Flesh and Spirit at Pallant House Gallery

Ongoing throughout the festival

In one of Britain’s most distinctive modern art museums, discover the work of the sought-after society portraitist who shook off convention to embrace modernism. This is the first major exhibition in almost 40 years, which brings together over 80 paintings, drawings and sculptures, charting the artist’s development from society portraits to a radically modernist style in the 1930s.

Chichester city tours

Throughout the festival - Saturdays 2pm, Wednesdays 11am and Thursdays 11am

Enjoy a leisurely 90-minute walk through the historic city and hear fascinating stories from Roman times to the present day. Expect to see details that you may not have noticed before – even if you have visited Chichester many times!

Broadway Tonight

16^th June and 17^th June at The Regis Centre and Alexandra Theatre

Enjoy all the hits from all the shows, with the Spectre Orchestra from the University of Chichester.

Films from the pandemic

18^th June-23^rd June at Chichester Cinema

A rare opportunity to see material and work that was produced during the pandemic. Several initiatives were recorded for posterity by the award-winning documentary maker Clive Hand, whose work will be shown in a programme of short films. Another highlight will be the first public screening of Over the Rainbow, a vivid account of last September’s party in Priory Park to honour NHS and key workers.

Pergola Open Air Theatre

27^th June-8^th July, various dates, all start at 7:30pm at West Dean Gardens

New Theatre Productions presents two amateur plays - Rumours by Neil Simon and Come on, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse and Guy Bolton. Bring a picnic or take advantage of drinks and supper from The West Dean Gardens restaurant.

Jubilee Music

2^nd July 7:30pm at St Paul’s Church

An evening of music from stage and screen during the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, by the Southdowns Concert Band

We are confident that whatever your interests, tastes and styles, there will be something for everyone throughout the Festival of Chichester. Whether you already live in the area, are looking to relocate or simply want to experience the greatness of an historic English city - put these dates in your diary and discover Chichester at its best.