Mayor's Party at the Novium Museum, learning about the history of the Parish.
On Wednesday 15 April, the Mayor of Chichester, Councillor Sean McHale, welcomed three pupils from Kingsham Primary School to take part in Junior Mayor for the Day, an annual City Council tradition that offers local children a unique insight into the role and responsibilities of the Mayor.
Chichester came together on Friday 20 March 2026 to honour outstanding local achievements at the 39th Annual Awards and Freedom of the City Ceremony, held at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Residents, guests community leaders and local schools and learning institutions filled the auditorium for a morning that blended civic tradition, heartfelt recognition and a strong sense of local pride.
Get ready! Chichester Fringe returns from Saturday 30 May to Sunday 14 June, bringing two weeks of great entertainment to the city.
This year’s programme features an exciting mix of music, theatre, comedy, and — for the first time ever — a brand-new Street Performance Festival in the city centre!
Andrew Bailey, newly appointed Chichester Fringe Director, says, “It’s so exciting to join the Fringe’s brilliant volunteers as we connect with new venues, new performers, and our biggest slate of shows yet.”
Head to the Chichester Fringe website for tickets, for further information and to be kept updated: www.chichesterfringe.co.uk
Comedians from all over the country bring their shows, including Phil Green (3 June), Kate Lois-Elliott (5 June), Abbie Edwards (5 June), Mark Daniels (10 June), Milo Edwards (10 June), Neil Sinclair (11 June), Andrew White (11 June) plus a brand-new comedy night at Ghost at The Feast (12 June).
And don’t miss last year’s winner Piran Armes, who brings his WIP show to the New Part Centre Studio on 10 June.
Genres of Sketch, Improv, Cabaret and Interactive Comedy also join the line-up; direct from Edinburgh Fringe, there’s ‘Sketch Show Bingo!’ (11 June) and ‘Closure Cabaret’ (11 June). The sell-out 2025 show ‘A Room Full of Idiots’ (13 June) returns to the 2026 line up, plus you can experience an improvised undead apocalypse movie with ‘Improv the Dead’ (30 May) or join connoisseur of the creepy Billy Bones for a whistle-stop tour of Every Ghost Story Ever told: is this show supposed to be serious or funny? (30 May).
British-Iranian comic and singer Hajar J. Woodland weaves standup with musical comedy to explore what it means to find love and your voice when you’re caught between two worlds in ‘Hajar, Like Badger (WIP)’ (9 June) and Aidan Jones presents Chopin’s Nocturne in Eb Major ‘with jokes by a bald, Australian with a beard!’ (7 June).
From musical theatre to drama, be swept away by the talent on stage this year.
We open this year’s Fringe (30 May) at brand new venue, The Nest (Chichester Festival Theatre), with ‘Best Wishes, Kind Regards’ and ‘A Criminal Melody’, simultaneously down the road at One-O-Four, The Hornet; multiple plays and musicals are being staged throughout the day starting at 2pm with ‘Living The Dream – A Bus Driver’s Lament’.
Best Kids’ Show nominee (UK Kids’ Comedy Festival) ‘Slugageddon!’ (7 June) is one of the wonderful children’s theatre offerings for 2026. Other shows include ‘The Smallest Sardine of the Seven Seas’ (7 June), ‘Where did Bailey’s Bark Go?’ (6 June) and ‘The Magic Crayon’ (13 June).
Local playwright and spoken word artist Olivia Coppin brings her brand new production ‘Just to Say!’ to The Nest (11 June), a silly little show, with a big heart. A work of poetic storytelling and an uplifting, love letter to language. The final Saturday of the fringe (13 June) sees a full day of theatre with ‘Darwin’s Cleaner’, ‘The Diary of John Marsh’ and concludes with ‘Tapestry’, which interlaces six compelling short plays into a vivid patchwork of drama, humour, and intrigue.
For music lovers, Laura Page returns to JAM Cafe (5 June), Driftwood Troubadours present its unique songs each with projected backdrop images (5 June) and for the first time Chichester Fringe hosts a music night at The Ghost at the Feast, MC’d by Sammy G and featuring James Laingan and David Robinson (4 June). Oving Folk also return to the fringe, performing at The Nest on 6 June and 18-year-old singer songwriter Oli Patient takes to the stage at Chichester Canal Cafe (31 May).
For the first time, Chichester will be host to an international array of world-class professional street performers, from 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday 7 June. The city centre will be transformed into a playground for the imagination!
Performer and organiser Harvey Stinton says: “The Chichester Fringe Street Performance Festival brings a spectacular celebration of street theatre, outdoor arts, and community spirit together with a vibrant mix of national and international acts that will transform the city streets into a playground of joy, laughter, and surprise, a spectacle that brings moments of magic, mayhem, and memorable performances through the jampacked day.”
Tickets are on sale now for all 2026 shows: head to the Chichester Fringe website so as to be kept updated and to secure your tickets: www.chichesterfringe.co.uk.
Could your dog be a lifesaver? Pet Blood Bank UK is currently appealing for dogs in Chichester to come forward as blood donors to help save the lives of other dogs. Arun Vets in Chichester is one of the charity’s host venues and they are looking for happy, healthy, and confident dogs to register for their donation sessions.
Get creative. Get imaginative. Get building!
Suitable for children aged 4+ years
FREE weekly drop-in sessions
Parents and carers are asked to remain with their child during this activity.
There is no charge for this activity but there is a Donation Box if you would like to make a cash contribution
Every Saturday 2.30-4.00pm (starting 13th September)
West Sussex County Council
West Sussex Library Service
Chichester Library Tower Street PO19 1QJ
01243 777351
www.westsussex.gov.uk/libraries
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On a radiant Saturday, 28th June, Chichester City Council proudly hosted the Chichester Gala in Priory Park. Having made a welcome return in recent years, this annual celebration has reestablished itself as a cherished tradition for the city—bringing people together to foster a vibrant, connected community. The event offered residents a lively opportunity to engage with local groups, businesses, artists, and performers from across the area.
The festivities began at 11am, with Priory Park bustling with community organisations that make a real impact on local lives, and stalls offering some of the finest local produce. At the same time live entertainment launched into action—Stage A kicked off with high-energy Zumba from Fitjoy, while Stage B opened in uplifting harmony with the Get Vocal Choir.
As the day unfolded, visitors were invited on a global culinary journey—sampling delicious food and drinks from places like Syria and Thailand, alongside locally crafted beverages and sweet treats that kept spirits high throughout the festivities.
The Guildhall transformed into a charming vintage market, where stalls displayed everything from handmade jewellery and unique clothing to homemade preserves. In honour of Armed Forces Day, the British Army’s 12th Regiment Royal Artillery showcased one of their impressive Stormer Tracked Vehicles, brought in from Thorney Island for guests to explore up close.
Meanwhile, RepTylers wowed the crowd with their exotic companions—including a snake, a millipede, and two friendly meerkats—delighting animal lovers of all ages. The funfair lit up the park with classic crowd-pleasers like bumper cars and the teacup ride, ensuring plenty of unforgettable moments for families and children alike.
Entertainment continued to dazzle, from spellbinding stage magic to circus workshops led by the ever-charismatic Nick Cook, offering hands-on fun for budding performers.
As night fell, the energy shifted toward Stage A for an electrifying evening of live music. The lineup kept the crowd dancing with high-octane sets from Midnight Dynamite, soulful favourites from Sarah Collins and Friends, powerhouse vocals by Kojaks Revenge, and the unforgettable classics of Go Go Gadget Legs.
“The Gala was a great occasion in a great venue and demonstrated why Chichester is such a good place to live and work.
The contribution from the City Council staff was immense, all the way through from the planning stage to the day of the Gala. The good working relationship with Chichester Business Improvement District (BID) was much in evidence.
I was privileged to visit many of the stalls and was impressed by the number of volunteers that provide services to our community. We are lucky to have so many enthusiastic people that contribute to improving the area for residents and a reason why Chichester is such a good city.
We were fortunate to have a good number of sponsors of prizes and they made our raffle a success. The proceeds from the raffle go to this year’s ‘Mayor’s Charity’ which is The Young People’s Shop (YPS). The YPS is based in South Street and provides advice and counselling to young people aged between 11 and 25 years of age.
Particular highlights for me were the number of residents that came into Priory Park on a beautiful day and the standard of the performers on both stages. We have a lot of talent around Chichester! Obviously, I also enjoyed going up on the trapeze!
We will soon start planning next year’s Gala, please let the City Council know if you would like to get involved.” – The Mayor, Councillor Sean McHale.
The Chichester Gala 2025 proved to be a celebration of community spirit, creativity, and shared heritage. From morning until moonlight, Priory Park came alive with laughter, discovery, and heartfelt connection—showcasing the very best of what the city has to offer. As families departed under the glow of the evening sky, it was clear the Gala had once again delivered not just a day of fun, but a lasting sense of pride and togetherness for everyone who joined.
If you attended this years Gala, please provide your feedback on the event, so that we can make it better next year. https://forms.office.com/e/QXN3RDVb9S
If you are a stall holder, artist or community organisation you can register your interest in next year’s Chichester Gala here: https://forms.office.com/e/FYva6zanxS
Visit the Gala page on our website to find links to our social media accounts, so that you can stay up to date with next years event. https://chichestercity.gov.uk/gala/
Chichester Fringe has announced the winners for its brand-new commissioning grant scheme.