The countdown to the Chelsea Arts Festival is on – and there are new names to know.
In May, we revealed a stellar initial line-up for the inaugural Chelsea Arts Festival, transforming the prestigious London borough into a cultural wonderland. Elizabeth Day, Ian McEwan, William Boyd, Matt Haig and Jack Edwards are all on the bill – with tickets for their events, and more, all on sale now.
And now we can reveal even more prestigious names: Rupert Everett, Annie Mac, David Shrigley and Kate Bryan will all talk at Chelsea Arts Festival in September 2025, bringing their wit and wisdom to venues across Chelsea.
Rupert Everett
Award winning actor, director and author Rupert Everett will join us for a very special live event at Cadogan Hall, hosted by broadcaster, podcaster and interviewer, Hannah MacInnes. Stay tuned for further details and information, with tickets available in the coming weeks.
Annie Mac
Bestselling author, DJ and beloved broadcaster Annie Macmanus will join Matt Haig and Jordan Stephens on the Cadogan Hall stage for their conversation about creativity and mental health on 21 September 2025. Discussing their respective books The Life Impossible and Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs, expect an insightful chat exploring the intersection of art and wellbeing and how art can be a lifeline in our most challenging moments – all facilitated by Annie Macmanus.
Tickets are on sale now.
David Shrigley & Kate Bryan
Two of the art world’s most engaging voices will come together at Chelsea Arts Festival to celebrate their new book, How To Art. Demystifying the art world, How To Art combines Kate Bryan’s refreshingly honest yet insightful approach to the art world with Shrigley’s signature illustrations. They will take to the Cadogan Hall stage on 18 September to share insights and anecdotes, cutting through the art world’s pretensions to underscore how art can bring us all joy.
Tickets are on sale now.
Marian Keyes
The internationally acclaimed author behind beloved genre-crossing novels including Rachel’s Holiday, Anybody Out There, and Grown Ups has captured millions of readers worldwide through her trademark warmth, unflinching honesty, and masterful storytelling. Now this literary powerhouse will turn interviewer as she sits down with Elizabeth Day at Cadogan Hall to discuss her forthcoming novel One of Us.
Tickets are on sale now.
Here’s everything you need to know about Elizabeth Day’s latest book.
Who Else?
- The internet’s resident librarian Jack Edwards will launch his new Inklings Book Club at the Saatchi Gallery. On sale now.
- George Monbiot and Ian McEwan will meet at Cadogan Hall to discuss his new novel, What We Can Know. On sale now.
- Tigris Li and Omar Karim will host an insightful conversation about AI and creativity. On sale now.
- Arts Council England’s chief executive Darren Henley will be joined by broadcaster Samira Ahmed to discuss his new book exploring the importance of investment in the arts. On sale now.
- Fashion icon Dame Zandra Rhodes will be joining us at Saachi Gallery for a conversation around fashion and self-expression. With more guests to be announced this promises to be a thrilling talk; stay tuned for more information and tickets in the coming weeks.
- The Women’s Prize For Fiction will close the festival with a spectacular Literary Salon celebrating its 30th Anniversary; expect readings and performances, with June Sarpong, Kate Mosse and more names to be announced. Tickets on sale soon!
More events are still to be announced. Sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop & follow us on Instagram.