Live performance trail will provide Christmas sparkle in Chichester and bring musical stories to life

A popular free, live performance trail will be returning to Chichester city centre this month, celebrating the area’s diverse musical talents as part of Chichester District Council’s Christmas events programme.

‘Sounds of Home’ is a free two-hour event which will take place across a range of iconic historic buildings around the city of Chichester on Friday 27 November and Saturday 28 November from 4pm to 6pm, celebrating the rich diversity of cultures that make up the local community.

‘Sounds of Home’, has been specially commissioned by Chichester District Council and kick-starts its Christmas Festivities programme for 2026. exploring how the meaning of home can differ from person to person, inviting audiences to reflect on the sounds that shape their own sense of home.

The trail’s first stop will be The Novium Museum in Tower Street, where people can enjoy a family-friendly arts and crafts workshop and music-themed face painting. After creating some amazing art, people will then be invited to follow the event’s sparkling wayfinders as they guide audiences around the city to enjoy a range of talented musicians including award-winning opera singer Jen Whitton in The Oxmarket Gallery; cool funk jazz band Irrelevant Elephant under the portico at The Assembly Rooms, and on the Friday the wonderful Belonging Choir led by Emily Barden in The Great Kitchen at Chichester Cathedral while on the Saturday singer/songwriter Emily Barden performs solo in The Cloister Café.

The journey continues to Pallant House Gallery where virtuoso Persian musician Saba Safa and Dr Nick Reynolds will alternate with The Volya Art Community Group Choir from Ukraine, before visiting Argentinian guitarist Cristian Herrera who will be performing under the historic Market Cross.

The trail will conclude with a feast of brilliant emerging talent of all ages and genres at Room 12, South Street curated by Sarah Collins, CEO and founder of Jam Cafe. 

People can also enjoy music-inspired face painting with Kate’s Carnival, bringing the sounds of the trail to life through colourful designs.

Councillor Harsha Desai, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Communications, Licensing and Events at Chichester District Council, says: “Last year’s trail was a huge success and so we are really pleased to be bringing the event back as part of our Christmas programme again this year.

“It will be fantastic to welcome some of the musicians who performed with us last year, alongside some extremely talented artists who are new to the trail. These performers each represent a different part of the world but have made the district their home, and we hope this event will provide a brilliant chance to celebrate our diverse community.

“We are incredibly lucky to have a range of historic, beautiful buildings in the city that will be used as part of the trail, and we’re also introducing some new locations this year so that people can discover more of the city’s hidden gems. While the event is free and people are welcome to turn up, we are encouraging people to register their interest at www.thenovium.org/christmasevents.”

Members of the public will be able to pick up a map of the trail, complete with details of the performance programme from The Novium Museum in Tower Street, Chichester.  

To attend the free Sounds of Home live performance trail or any of the council’s Christmas events, people are encouraged to register at: www.thenovium.org/christmasevents.

For more information about Chichester District Council’s Christmas Festivities programme, seasonal parking offers and even more Christmas information, people can go to: www.chichester.gov.uk/countdowntochristmas

Visit our online What’s On calendar on our website to find more information about events in the district: www.chichester.gov.uk/whatson

Events information and updates can also be found by following the Chichester District Events and Markets Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ChichesterDistrictEventsAndMarkets and Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/chidisevents/

For regular updates about events and activities across the district, sign up to the council’s monthly email newsletter, Initiatives+, at www.chichester.gov.uk/newsalerts