Happiness and great community as Chichester Gala hits the heights

Huge crowds, great weather and a lovely buzz throughout the day made the 2026 Chichester Gala in Priory Park at the weekend the “best and biggest yet.”

Organisers Chichester City Council were delighted at the vast number of charities and organisations that took part on Saturday – and delighted too at the numbers of people attending, visibly higher than last year, “creating a wonderful atmosphere throughout the day”, says Kim Martin, Chichester City Council deputy town clerk and finance manager.

“It was really, really successful. The crowds were unbelievable and it just had such a family feel. It was definitely our best year yet, particularly during the day. It was certainly very warm but then cooler later on.”

There was one minor glitch around 7.30pm when the weather briefly interrupted proceedings, with lightning forcing a pause during Irrelevant Elephant’s performance: “Public safety rightly remained our priority. We are particularly grateful to House of Anthems, who very graciously agreed to stand down from their scheduled performance. Their generous gesture enabled Irrelevant Elephant to return to the stage once it was safe to do so and fill the

remaining time with as much music as possible before the Gala concluded at 9pm. Their

understanding and professionalism were greatly appreciated.”

Last year’s Gala was considered the high spot since the event returned in 2022; this year’s Gala surpassed it: “The atmosphere was really lovely. We had no issues or trouble. Everyone was really happy. I think it is just so well established now that many people know to attend. People were asking whether it will be the same day next year. We need to confirm the date but it will definitely happen!”

The Gala reflects Chichester City Council’s commitment to supporting the arts and showcasing the remarkable diversity of organisations, activities and talent within our local area.

“From community groups and charities to fitness organisations, musicians, dancers and performers, the day celebrated everything that makes Chichester such a vibrant place to live.”

The Gala is also a centrepiece of the Festival of Chichester.

The day brought a full programme of performances. Also taking part on the day were: St John Ambulance; 12th Chichester Scout Group; 3D ART; 461 (Chichester) Squadron Air Cadets; Arabesque School of Performing Arts; Avoston ltd; Barchester Health Care; Boutique35; Brightcare; Canine Partners; CareYourWay Chichester; Cat and Rabbit Rescue Centre; Ceroc Chichester; Cherry Blossom Cottage; Chestnut Tree House; Chichester Child Contact Centre; Chichester District Foodbank; Chichester & Bognor District Scouts; Chichester District Model Engineers; Chichester Lions Club; Chichester Nutrition Club—Fitjoy; Chichester Royal Naval Association; Chichester4Europe information; Children’s Bookfest; Christ Church Chichester; City Band; Contact 88; Craft Cabin Chichester; Diana's Stellar WireWorks; Fidgette; Friends of Chartres; Friends of Chartres; Friends of Ravenna; Friends of Speyer; Friends of Valletta; Friends of Aquired Brain Injury Survivors (FABIS); Guardian Angel Carers; Home-Start Chichester & District; HST Media Designs; Kate’s balloons; Little Sherwood Far; Manhood Peninsula Community First Responders; Miles Pyrography; Mills Crafts & Events - Face Painting, Glitter & Hair; My Sisters' House Women's Centre; Nill—clothing, gifts; Olivia; Potter And Mooch; Reptylers; Resinshine2; RNLI; Rotary in Chichester; Rotary Novum Beacon; Sarah Moore Dance; Selsey Classic Cars; Simply Melted; St Josephs Infant School Nursery; St Wilfrid's Hospice; T.S. Sturdy; Tangmere Military Aviation Museum; The Ancient Corporation of St. Pancras; The Hygiene Bank Chichester and Arun; The Priory Park Society; The Rotary Club of Chichester Harbour; The Sussex Snowdrop Trust; Transition Town Chichester; UKHarvest; Vegacraftworks; Vintage & Very Nice; Volunteer TimeBank; West Sussex Library Service; Westgate Leisure Centre; and Yeomans Honda Bognor Regis.