Chelsea Arts Festival – 18th – 21st September 2025
Get ready for a brand-new celebration of creativity and culture in the heart of London.
Mark your calendars for the inaugural Chelsea Arts Festival. From September 18–21, iconic Chelsea venues – including Cadogan Hall, the Saatchi Gallery, and the Royal Court Theatre – will come alive with a dynamic mix of art, culture, and creativity.
This festival will capture the vibrant, bohemian spirit of Chelsea, bringing together an extraordinary collection of artists, performers, thinkers, creative visionaries and storytellers. An inspiring line up of thought-provoking talks, engaging debates, hands-on workshops, and unforgettable live performances.
Highlights include the 30th Anniversary Celebration of The Women’s Prize for Fiction, featuring Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel laureate, as she reads from her new memoir Finding My Way. This intimate evening, celebrating strength, resilience, and unapologetic self-discovery, will also see powerhouse performances from Sheila Atim MBE, Dame Sheila Hancock, Sir Lenny Henry, June Sarpong OBE, Kate Mosse CBE, and more – all in support of the Women’s Prize Trust.
On September 19th, Sir Stephen Fry and Lyse Doucet OBE will lead Blue Plaques Talk Back Live, a dazzling celebration of Chelsea’s cultural icons, from Oscar Wilde to Bob Marley, with brilliant storytelling and historical insight. The Royal Court Theatre is set to host a spellbinding poetry night on the 20th, where Rory Kinnear, Susan Wokoma, and David Morrissey bring poems from Allie Esiri’s 365 Poems for Life to life in a night of literary magic.
For comedy lovers, prepare to laugh till it hurts with Shazia Mirza, Sindhu Vee, and Daniel Foxx at the Comedy Gala. And that’s not all: Sally Phillips, Annie Macmanus, William Boyd CBE, Ian McEwan CBE, Twiggy, Sadie Frost, Matt Haig, and Marian Keyes will also grace the stage, offering their own brand of wit and wisdom.
Beyond the ticketed events, Chelsea’s streets will pulse with energy, offering free outdoor performances and activations throughout the King’s Road, Duke of York Square, Sloane Street, and Sloane Square, transforming the area into a lively celebration of creativity.
Meanwhile, the English National Ballet School will bring beauty and grace with a family-friendly dance performance, and art lovers can enjoy the vibrant Chelsea Art Market, offering a fresh and dynamic platform for emerging artists.
Hugh Seaborn, CEO at Cadogan, said, ‘Chelsea has long been a beacon of creativity, the haunt of artists, radicals, painters and poets – drawing iconic characters and stories from Oscar Wilde to Bram Stoker, James Bond to James McNeill Whistler, JMW Turner, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles to Vivienne Westwood and Mary Quant. We look forward to seeing the festival ignite the neighbourhood with further artistic energy, providing an inspiring and accessible programme of events for residents and visitors alike.’
Lucy Cleland, Editorial Director of C&TH, said, ‘C&TH is thrilled to be partnering with Cadogan in launching the Chelsea Arts Festival, which will put Chelsea front and centre of the capital’s cultural conversation. Bringing together a hugely diverse programme of events and with music, food and entertainment spilling out into Chelsea’s fabled streets, there will be no other festival like it.’
From world-class poets to comedians, actors, and dancers, the festival promises something for everyone – a joyous, colorful, and celebratory experience that highlights the best of creativity, culture, and community. Whether you’re enjoying a poetic performance, a comedic romp, or exploring the dynamic arts market, Chelsea is the place to be this September!
For more information about the programme visit chelseaartsfestival.com.
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