Images of a baby in a Ho ho Ho onesie being held by a smiling woman the Christmas Concerts band, The Jungle Book and The Three Billy Goats Gruff incased in golden lights and sparkles.>

Christmas has arrived at CFT

News 2 Nov 2023

News Story

There’s a whole stockingful of delights for you and your loved ones at CFT this Christmas. Each year we seem to add a little bit more sparkle and we’re putting the fairy on top of the Christmas tree this year with our very first Santa's Grotto on Oaklands Park. Our theatre elves are busy tinkering away to give a wonderful gift to Chichester. A Grotto full of Christmas spirit and theatrical magic.

Opening from 12 - 23 December, believers will be greeted by the Master Elves, Tinsel, Beau and Buddy, before heading behind-the-scenes to see the inner workings of Santa’s Workshop and meeting Father Christmas. Grown-ups can take an ‘elfie and little ones receive an early present. There’s SEN sessions available and if you have any questions, check out the helpful FAQs or call our Box Office elves on 01243 781312. Tickets are just £12 per child.

Make a night of it with our new Christmas Cabarets (12 – 15 Dec), perfect for an get-together with friends, family or even an office outing. We’ll entertain you with marvellous music and cracking comedy, combined with fabulous food! Your ticket includes a delicious locally-sourced three-course meal and a festive glass of fizz on arrival. Tickets are £65 per person – book yours now.

We’ve also got our spectacular shows to tempt you including adventures with Chichester Festival Youth Theatre’s adaptation of The Jungle Book, a first musical for young families, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, direct from London’s Unicorn Theatre and the return of the traditional Christmas Concerts.

Plus sparkling lights inside and out, a dozen decked-out trees, sumptuous afternoon teas and festive food and drink… Why not make some festive memories at CFT this year?

Wonders await at CFT!

Afternoon tea on a tiered platter - close up of mini cakes on a grey plate and sandwiches and scones in the background.

Taste of things to come...

  • Afternoon tea on a tiered platter - mini cakes on a grey plate and a woman's hand is picking up a small cream cake.
  • A messy table of festive bits and pieces (a red fur hat with white bobble, hot choclate overflowing with marshmallows, parcels and red string, a christmas cookie) around a piece of paper with Santa's Grotto in red on it.
  • Three people in colourful clothing (woolly jumpers, braces, gloves and hat) with curly goat horns attached, stand on a bridge with a man in a brown mac and hat and a woman in a rainbow dress and yellow shawl around her head and shoulders. Some are raising their left arms.
  • Cherry Bakewell cocktail. A short glass filled with ice and dark colour liquid with a cherry balanced on top. Fairy lights sit behind.
  • A wall from a set model box show a gallery of reindeer portraits on a tartan wall. behind is an assortment of props from the Grotto in red, green and gold.
  • A baby in a 'Ho ho Ho' onesie being held by a smiling woman
  • A brass letter box sign is surrounded by festive ribbons and beads in red, green and gold. Booklets of Christmas carols and maps of Chichester as well as locks and atmospheric dials also are there all on a silver glittery backdrop.
  • A woman in a rainbow dress calls out with her hand by her mouth. Three people in colourful clothing (woolly jumpers, braces, gloves and hat) with curly goat horns attached, peep out from behind two small mountains.
  • A sketch of a reindeer with a monocle and fabulous handlebar moustache, surrounded by a green wooly hat, minute red chair, leather bound book and smaller reindeer portraits.
  • The Band of HM Royal Marines stand on the Festival Theatre Stage dressed in red military jackets, facing out front. Behind them are five blue-lit Christmas Trees.
  • A young woman with blonde tied-back hair in a white blouse stands on stage. She is singing into a microphone, with her hands in front of her, her palms open in an expressive gesture. Behidn her are twinkly golden lights.