Festivals, Fetes & Fairs
Sussex is packed with festivals and fetes celebrating everything from art and culture to film and the literary world to Roman heritage. Of course we can't mention festivals without including Goodwood's world famous Festival of Speed, a showcase for all things car and motor racing which draws visitors from across the globe, and for good reason.
The Festival of Chichester and The Petworth Festival
Each Summer the Festival of Chichester, Chichester's month-long celebration of art and music brings musical and theatrical (and much more) talent to a variety of stages across the city. Meanwhile in Petworth, expect to see familiar faces as the Petworth Festival hosts a hugely popular series of concerts and showcases to the town.
Heritage Celebrations
Roman Week, held each May half term, highlights Chichester's Roman heritage culminating in a live Gladiator re-enactment and displays of Roman life. Autumn brings the Heritage Open Weekend; an opportunity to see selected locations across Chichester and Petworth free of charge, or explore sites not often open to the public.
Petworth Literary Week
The Petworth Literary Festival takes place during October and offers the chance to see famous names from the world of literature appear in conversation or discussing their work - not to be missed by literary fans! Past festival appearances have included Andy McNab, Anthony Horowitz, William Boyd, Sebastian Faulks, Gyles Brandreth, Joanna Trollope, Julian Fellowes, Ken Livingstone, Prue Leith, Michael Palin, Michael Morpurgo - and the list goes on!
Food Festivals
The Cheese & Chilli Festival returns to Chichester following a hearty welcome in 2023.
Celebrating Sussex's Dark Skies
Each February, see why Sussex's Dark Skies are among the best in the country as the South Downs National Park's Dark Skies Festival offers opportunities to learn more about the starry skies with free events and activities.