First Events on Sale - Chelsea Arts Festival returns 17-20th September

Announcing Bernardine Evaristo, Women's Prize, Rambert, Diaries of Note and more..

April 02, 2026

We are delighted to announce our first events are on sale! Chelsea Arts Festival returns Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th September 2026 hosting a dynamic lineup of artists, performers, and creative visionaries, alongside colourful outdoor performances, and bustling food and arts markets. Full lineups for these events will be revealed soon, as will many many more exciting events. Check out our What’s On page or follow links below to secure your seats at these first events announced!

✨ An Evening with Bernardine Evaristo & Friends, presented by the Women’s Prize: A special evening of readings and conversation, with both established and emerging writers, whose words will be brought to life on stage by acclaimed actors. Join Booker Prize winning author Bernardine Evaristo, recipient of the Women’s Prize Outstanding Contribution Award, as we launch the festival in spectacular literary style.

Cadogan Hall, Thursday 17 September, 7:15pm

🔵 Blue Plaques Talk Back returns following a riveting launch event. Last year saw Sir Stephen Fry paying tribute to Oscar Wilde, photographer Dennis Morris talking about his friendship with Bob Marley, and the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet discussing the influence and impact of Martha Gellhorn’s wartime journalism. Four new Blue Plaques - iconic names or those intriguingly overlooked - will be chosen for this immersive performance of history and culture, brought vividly to life.

This event is produced by Storystock Sounds.

Cadogan Hall, Friday 18 September, 1pm

🌙 A Poem for Every Night of the Year - 10th Anniversary: A celebratory evening of poetry from Allie Esiri’s bestselling anthology, performed live by acclaimed special guest actors. Join us at Cadogan Hall to celebrate this fantastic anthology which along with Allie’s other popular poetry collections, have lit an explosion of renewed interest in poetry in the UK.

Cadogan Hall, Friday 18 September, 7pm

💃 Rambert: This is Rambert: Iconic and ever innovating dance company Rambert brings work from its centenary programme ‘This Is Rambert’ to Chelsea Arts Festival, in honour of their 100th year - the first dance company in the UK to reach this milestone. Rambert transforms everyday spaces by making dance that is awe-inspiring, adventurous, dynamic, and relevant - presenting works that encourage collaboration with other artforms, especially music and design.

Cadogan Hall, Saturday 19 September, 11:30am

📔 Diaries of Note: Live on Stage with Shaun Usher & Special Guests. Shaun Usher, bestselling author of Letters of Note and founder of cultural phenomenon, Letters Live, brings Diaries of Note: 366 Lives, One Day at a Time, to the stage. A cast of celebrated performers will read from a remarkable collection of diary entries, spanning centuries and offering windows into lives both extraordinary and everyday.

Cadogan Hall, Sunday 20 September, 3:30pm