Live performance trail in Chichester aims to inspire and celebrate home

Published 16:25 on 4 Nov 2025

Music from a Ukrainian Choir, a funk band, an Argentinian guitarist and spoken word will all feature in a live performance trail at historic venues in Chichester city centre at the end of this month.

 Sounds of Home is a free and accessible, family friendly event that has been specially commissioned by Chichester District as part of its pre-Christmas Priory Park Festivities programme. The one-hour show will take place on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 November, with the following start times: 4pm, 4.30pm, 5pm, 5.30pm and 6pm.

 Weaving their way around the citys different historical and iconic locations, the audience will encounter a variety of live performances which will examine the idea of home and what it is to belong. 

 Councillor Harsha Desai, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Communications, Licensing and Events at Chichester District Council, says: At this time of year many of us will be thinking about those family members and loved ones who are living away from us in some cases on the other side of the world and vice versa, and so this trail aims to encourage us to think about what sounds make us think of home and the idea of what home is to those who are not from our district.  

 We are very lucky to have some extremely talented musicians and performers from different parts of the world who have made this district their home, who will be sharing their own sounds of home with us. 

As part of our wide-ranging festive programme, we wanted to create something that had a more reflective element to it, and which celebrated peoples connection to Chichester at this time of year. The locations chosen for the performances include some of the citys most historic and iconic buildings symbols of the city which people often picture when they think about Chichester.

 As with all our events, the aim is to encourage more people into the city centre and help increase footfall to support our citys businesses as well as utilising different venues in the city and showcasing all that the city has to offer.

 Members of the public will be able to pick up a map of the trail, complete with details of the performance programme from The Guildhall in Priory Park.

 Outside The Guildhall there will also be a stunning woven willow sculpture of a bauble created by Two Circles Design which will also double up as a unique performance space during the trail. 

 After arriving at The Guildhall people will be invited to take part in a Little Lanterns craft workshop being led by artist Vikki Brown. Afterwards people will be able to collect their trail map and then visit the performance locations in any order. Once completed people will also be able to enjoy a silent disco as part of the event, hosted by DJ Zigs which will feature the diverse sounds of the city.

 In addition, there will also be a separate silent disco for adults that will run 8pm 10pm on both nights in The Guildhall, hosted by DJ Zigs. Tickets cost £7.

 Historic locations featured in the trail include: The Guildhall, Priory Park; the portico outside the Council House in North Street; The Butter Market; Pallant House Gallery; The Market Cross; The Great Kitchen at Chichester Cathedral (28 November) and The Cathedral Cloisters (29 November); plus, The Novium Museum.

 Local artists involved include film maker Ryan Lackenby with his film Sounds of Home; jazz/funk band Irrelevant Elephant; Creative Beatz with spoken word; singer/songwriter Mark Handley; guitarist Cristian Herrera; The Belonging Choir specially created and led by Emily Barden and The Volya Art Community Group Choir.

 To attend the Sounds of Home live performance trail people are encouraged to book their free place by going to:www.thenovium.org.uk/christmas... 

 For more information about Chichester District Councils Festivities in Priory Park, seasonal parking offers and even more Christmas information, people can go to: www.chichester.gov.uk/countdow...

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 For regular updates about council events people can also sign up to Chichester District Councils monthly email newsletter Initiatives + at: www.chichester.gov.uk/newsaler...