What's On in Chichester
Things to do in and around Chichester: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.
Top story
Days Out Near Chichester With Children, Checked October 2026
Under-16s go free at West Dean Gardens; Weald & Downland is £9.75 a child. Eleven days out near Chichester with prices, winter hours and closing dates.
Dates for the diary
- Thu 29 Oct Lantern Making Workshops (walk-in places)
- Thu 29 Oct Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe: Hooray for Hollywood
- On now to 31 Oct PYO Pumpkins at Dell Quay PYO
- On now to 31 Oct Chichester Light Experience: Illuminating Art
- On now to 1 Nov Northlands Farm Halloween: Family Frights and Pumpkin Delights
- On now to 1 Nov October Half Term: Plagues and Potions
- On now to 30 Oct Roman Army Week
- Fri 30 Oct Red Robin's Winter Song
- Fri 30 Oct Stitches Comedy Club: Sara Pascoe, Zoe Lyons and Stephen K Amos
- Sat 31 Oct Spooky Disco
- Sat 31 Oct Halloween: All Hallow's Eve
- Sat 31 Oct Children's Halloween Party
More stories
Food & Drink
Brunch in Chichester: The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots
17 Grams serves brunch until 4.30pm; The Ivy's breakfast special is £13.95 with coffee. 10 Chichester brunch spots with prices and hours, checked October 2026.
Food & Drink
Afternoon Tea in Chichester: Where to Book
The Ship's autumn tea is £29.95, the Ivy's £35.95 and the Spread Eagle's £31. Nine afternoon teas around Chichester with prices, times and booking rules.
Families
Soft Play and Rainy-Day Places Near Chichester
Flip Out's soft play is £5.50 for three hours and Little Street's role play town £7.95. Eight soft play and rainy-day places near Chichester, prices checked.
Food & Drink
Chichester Cafes and Coffee Shops: Where to Go
Trading Post, 17 Grams, Robin's Nest and the Cathedral cloisters cafe lead 12 Chichester cafes, with hours, dogs and hygiene ratings checked 26 October 2026.
Parks
Chichester Playgrounds and Parks for Children
Oaklands Park's zip wire, Priory Park's castle and Whyke Oval's farm lead 12 Chichester and Selsey playgrounds, with toilets, parking and dog rules checked.
Walks
Walks Near Chichester: Circular Routes, Harbour and Downs
The canal towpath runs 4 miles to the harbour and Centurion Way 5.5. 12 walks near Chichester, with distances, tides, parking, dog rules and toilets checked.
Food & Drink
Sunday Roast in Chichester: Where to Book
Roasts from £17.95 at the Hole in the Wall to £25 at the Horse & Groom: nine Chichester pubs with Sunday menus, times and booking rules, checked October 2026.
Christmas
Chichester Festive Family Day: free, Sat 12 Dec, 10am to 4pm
Chichester's free Festive Family Day is Saturday 12 December, 10am to 4pm: five free activity stops, a stamp passport, a samba band at noon and stilt walkers.
Food & Drink
Chichester Restaurants: The Best Places to Eat
Cassons at Tangmere is the area's Michelin Guide pick: 13 Chichester restaurants and pubs, with menu prices, hours and hygiene ratings checked 24 October 2026.
Food & Drink
Chichester Pubs: The Best Pubs and Where to Drink
The Hole in the Wall pours 8 cask ales and 4 ciders: 16 Chichester pubs with CAMRA Good Beer Guide entries, hours and hygiene ratings, checked 24 October 2026.
Christmas
MUNCH Christmas Day in Havant: Father Christmas Wanted
MUNCH's free Christmas Day lunch at Park Community School, Havant, needs a Father Christmas, presents and helpers. A pupil-elf is rallying support for 25 Dec.
Christmas
Chichester ice rink 2026: Seal Bay, Selsey, 11 Dec to 1 Jan
No ice rink in Priory Park this Christmas. The nearest is Seal Bay Resort, Selsey, 11 Dec to 1 Jan: adults £12, under-14s £8, open until 10pm every night.
Heritage
Chichester lantern parade 31 Oct: 4pm, Mayor at the Cross
Free lantern parade leaves the Council House at 4pm on Saturday 31 October, with Petworth Town Band, a Mayor's proclamation at the Market Cross and a blessing.
Christmas
Chichester Cathedral Carol Service: 4 Times, 18 to 21 Dec
Chichester Cathedral's carol service runs four times, 18 to 21 December, free with no booking; doors open an hour before. Midnight Mass is at 11pm.
Music
Habib Koité and Sura Susso in Chidham: Sat 31 Oct, £25
Malian guitarist Habib Koité and Gambian kora player Sura Susso play Chidham Village Hall on Saturday 31 October, 8pm. Tickets £25 plus fee, online or in Emsworth.
Halloween
Halloween in Chichester 2026: lantern parade, disco and pumpkins
Chichester's free lantern parade leaves the Council House at 4pm on 31 October; the Spooky Disco is sold out. Dell Quay pumpkins 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Sloe Fair
Chichester Sloe Fair 2026 was on 20 October at Northgate
Chichester's Sloe Fair was on Tuesday 20 October 2026 on Northgate car park, which the council closed from 6pm on Sunday 18 October to noon on 21 October.
Theatre
The Archers Live in Chichester: 31 Oct, Seats Left From £40
The Archers: Live at 75 plays Chichester Festival Theatre on Saturday 31 October at 7.30pm. The cheap bands have gone; seats left run from £40 to £69.
Events
What's On in Chichester: Half Term, Fireworks, Lights at 5pm
Half term, fireworks from 31 October to 14 November, Remembrance at 11am on 8 November and a 3pm show before the 5pm lights switch-on on 21 November.
Christmas
Chichester Christmas market 2026: four markets from 21 Nov
Weald and Downland 21-22 Nov, West Dean 27-28 Nov, Fishbourne 5-6 Dec, the Novium 13 Dec. The city centre street market's dates are due in November.
Remembrance
Chichester Remembrance Sunday: 11am 8 Nov, order of service
Chichester's Remembrance service is at 11am on Sunday 8 November in Litten Gardens. The 2026 order of service is out; the salute is at Eastgate Square.
Christmas
Santa in Chichester 2026: Grottos and Breakfasts
Northlands Farm's Santa visits start on 29 November, from £19 plus VAT a child. CFT's grotto lists 4 to 23 December; Weald and Downland breakfasts 5 to 11 Dec.
Goodwood
Goodwood Revival: Gates 8.30am, Rail Hit Both Days
The 2026 Revival ran from 18 to 20 September. Gates open at 8.30am, every car park is free and on grass, and the Central Paddock needs a jacket and tie.
Fishbourne
Chichester fireworks 2026: four displays, 31 Oct to 14 Nov
Fontwell 31 Oct, West Dean 6 Nov (£6), Petworth 7 Nov (free) and Heyshott 14 Nov, fireworks 8pm, £5 suggested donation. No Fishbourne display this year.
Christmas
Chichester Christmas lights switch-on: 21 Nov, 3pm show, 5pm
Chichester's lights go on at 5pm on Saturday 21 November at the Market Cross, after a free show from 3pm hosted by Dawn Gracie. After-party venues listed.
Christmas
Chichester Christmas Shows: Peter Pan, Panto From £8
Peter Pan runs 14 to 30 December at the Festival Theatre from £10. The council's Priory Park panto is on sale for 12 to 22 December: £11 adult, £8 child.