Chelsea Arts Festival gets ready to fire up the autumn

Offering a brand-new three-day celebration of modern storytelling for London, Chelsea Arts Festival is getting ready to platform the district’s rich literary heritage and spotlight its place in the capital’s vibrant cultural landscape.

On Thurs 18 – Sun 21 Sept, large-scale events taking place at Cadogan Hall, Saatchi Gallery and Royal Court Theatre, the streets of Chelsea will also be brought to life by free outdoor performances on King’s Road, Duke of York Square, Sloane Street and Sloane Square.

An extensive programme encompasses everything from music, theatre, dance and film to podcasting, literature and the visual arts; and will feature both the brightest names and emerging talent from page, stage and screen.

Joining the line-up are two of the art world’s most engaging and lively voices, David Shrigley and Kate Bryan, who will be taking to the Cadogan Hall stage to share their insights and anecdotes, as well as celebrating the launch of their new book, How to Art -  a refreshingly honest and entertaining guide that cuts through art world pretensions.

Best-selling author, DJ and broadcaster Annie Macmanus will host Matt Haig and Jordan Stephens. The two will be discussing their books, The Life Impossible and Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs in a conversation around creativity and mental health. The event will explore the intersection of the arts and wellbeing, and how art can become a lifeline in our most challenging moments.  

Internationally bestselling author Marian Keyes will be joining Elizabeth Day on stage to interview her about her new novel, One of Us.  

Award-winning actor and author, Rupert Everett, also joins the lineup for a very special live event, hosted by Hannah Macinnes.  

The internet’s resident librarian, Jack Edwards will be at Saatchi Gallery with his Inklings Book Club live event. Chelsea’s literary legend William Boyd will be in conversation, speaking all about his new work, The Predicament, as well as Ian McEwan, who will be meeting George Monbiot to discuss his forthcoming novel, What We Can Know.

Tigris Li and Omar Karim will be speaking about AI and Creativity - an increasingly relevant and ever-evolving topic, and Arts Council England Chief Executive, Darren Henley, will join broadcaster Samira Ahmed to discuss the importance of investment in the arts - arguing funding the arts drives innovation, builds stronger communities, and delivers measurable economic benefits.

Closing off the Festival on Sunday night, the Women’s Prize will host a spectacular Literary Salon celebrating the internationally acclaimed Women's Prize for Fiction’s 30th Anniversary, featuring readings and performances from broadcaster June Sarpong, author Kate Mosse.

Chelsea Arts Festival comes to venues across West London on Thurs 18 – Sun 21 Sept 2025

More information and tickets
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn

Main image - Elizabeth Day by Jacquetta Clark

‍