We come bearing new names on the bill, joining the likes of Elizabeth Day, Ian McEwan, Rupert Everett and more.
In May, we teased the stellar inaugural Chelsea Arts Festival line-up, taking over the area in September 2025. Names included Elizabeth Day, Ian McEwan, Dame Zandra Rhodes, William Boyd, Matt Haig, Jack Edwards and more. In June, we added Rupert Everett, Annie Mac, David Shrigley and Kate Bryan to the bill – and now we come bearing new names on the bill. From Kate Mosse and the Women’s Prize to Ambika Mod and the London Theatre Review, here are the names to know.
New Names on the Chelsea Arts Festival Lineup
Sheila Atim MBE, Dame Sheila Hancock, Sir Lenny Henry, Kate Mosse CBE & June Sarpong OBE
Some of the UK’s most compelling performers will come together to celebrate 30 years of the Women’s Prize for Fiction at Chelsea Arts Festival this September. These stellar new names will take to the stage at Cadogan Hall to read extraordinary writing by women under the theme Women’s Words: From Page to Stage, raising funds for the Women’s Prize Trust and its vital work.
Sunday 21 September. Book your tickets now!
Daniel Lismore
We previously revealed Dame Zandra Rhodes on the Chelsea Arts Festival bill, and now we’re pleased to announce she will be joined at Saatchi by ‘living sculpture’ Daniel Lismore. In a conversation hosted by DJ and presenter Kate Hutchinson, they’ll explore the transformative power of fashion and its role shaping identity and liberating creative expression.
Saturday 20 September. Book your tickets now.
Ambika Mod
From This Is Going To Hurt to One Day to a burgeoning career on London’s West End, Ambika Mod will join London Theatre Review’s Nancy Durrant, Nick Clark and Nick Curtis for a special live recording of their beloved podcast at The Royal Court Theatre. Together, they’ll delve into Ambika’s career to date, plus delve into her upcoming parts in Every Brilliant Thing and Porn Play with the Royal Court’s artistic director David Byrne.
Saturday 20 September. Tickets coming very soon, stay tuned…
Allie Esiri
Allie Esiri’s poetry anthologies are beloved – and her annual events at the National Theatre have attracted performers including Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Corrin, Damian Lewis and many more. In September, she will be bringing her 365 Poems for Life to Chelsea Arts Festival, with some of the very best classic and contemporary poems brought to life by brilliant performers – stay tuned to find out who.
Saturday 20 September. Tickets coming imminently! Stay tuned…
Ekow Eshun
Vogue called him ‘the most inspired and inspiring curator in Britain’, and now Ekow Eshun will be bringing his curatorial wisdom to Chelsea Arts Festival. Celebrating his new art anthology Black Earth Rising at the Saatchi Gallery, expect to delve into his varied career in a conversation guided by Katy Wickremesinghe, founder of The Wick.
Saturday 20 September. Book your tickets now.
Blue Plaques Talk Back Live
Actors and experts will join forces at the Royal Court Theatre to discuss the lives of some of Chelsea’s most exciting historical and cultural figures. Blue Plaques celebrated on the agenda include Bob Marley, Oscar Wilde and George Eliot; stay tuned to find out who will be delving into their lives.
Saturday 20 September. Tickets coming imminently! Stay Tuned…
Silk Road Slippers
Alexandra Pringle and the team at Silk Road Slippers will host a special Writing Masterclass for authors of all levels, beginners to bestsellers. Expect to complete a short exercise from a prompt before sharing your work and getting instant construction feedback from the team, addressing style, substance and storytelling.
Sunday 21 September. Tickets coming very soon – stay tuned!
From 18 to 21 September, Chelsea Arts Festival visitors can also expect Saatchi Green’s famous Fine Food Market (Saturday), a specialist outdoor Art Market (Sunday), al fresco live music, arts and craft workshops and plenty more.
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