# Where to stay for Chichester Festival Theatre

> Chichester Festival Theatre is about 20 minutes’ drive from The Marden, three self-catering houses at West Marden that each sleep 4. The theatre’s 2027 summer season, which runs from April to November, has not been announced yet; the 2026 season was announced on 12 February 2026, so expect news in mid-February 2027. This Christmas the family show is Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure, reported for 14–30 December 2026.

- **From the farm:** About 20 minutes
- **Summer season 2027:** Not yet announced
- **Christmas 2026:** Peter Pan, 14–30 December
- **Sleeps:** 4 per house, 12 across the farm

## The summer season

The theatre’s main season, which it calls Festival, runs from April to November. Festival 2027 has not been announced. Festival 2026 was announced on 12 February 2026, so mid-February 2027 is the likely time for the next one. We will add the productions here when they are public.

If you are planning ahead, pick your week and book the house, then choose the play when the season comes out. The theatre’s second house, the Minerva, runs alongside the main Festival Theatre, so there is usually a choice.

## Christmas 2026 and winter 2027

These dates come from press coverage of the theatre’s winter season announcement. We could not read them on the theatre’s own site, so treat them as reported and check before you book.

- Christmas Concerts, with the Royal Marines band and the Cathedral Choir: 1 to 5 December 2026 (reported)
- Hey! Christmas Tree, by Michael Morpurgo, in the Minerva Theatre: 5 to 27 December 2026 (reported)
- [Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure](https://www.cft.org.uk/events/peter-pan), Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, in the Festival Theatre: 14 to 30 December 2026 (reported), with a relaxed performance listed for 30 December
- The Nutcracker: January 2027 (reported, exact dates not found)
- Punch, by James Graham: 23 to 27 February 2027 (reported)

## Getting there from the farm and back

Chichester is about 20 minutes’ drive from West Marden. On an ordinary evening that is all there is to say. During the big Goodwood events, in mid-July and mid-September, give yourself longer.

After the show you drive back into the Downs and park outside your own door, free. In winter, Keepers and The Old Stables have wood burners. In summer it is still light enough for a drink in the garden after a matinee.

## Why a house for a theatre trip

A house makes a play into a proper couple of days away. You have a kitchen for an early supper before curtain up, somewhere to talk the play over afterwards, and a walk from the village the next morning. It works for a [couple](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/couples-breaks), or for two couples who go to the theatre together: [Keepers](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/keepers) has two super-king bedrooms, both en-suite.

Each house sleeps 4 and has its own front door, kitchen and garden. Check-in is from 4pm, which leaves time to unpack and eat before an evening performance. Check-out is by 10am.

By day, there is [Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/local/chichester) itself, and our [food and drink](https://themarden.co.uk/local/food-and-drink) guide for lunch. The Victoria Inn is a very short walk from the houses on the night you are not at the theatre. In June and July the [Festival of Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/events/festival-of-chichester) adds about 125 smaller events around the city.

## When to book

For the summer season, wait for the announcement in February, then book the seats and the house together. For Christmas, see our [Christmas and New Year](https://themarden.co.uk/events/christmas-and-new-year) page for everything else that is on. Book direct with no booking fees, or message us on WhatsApp.

## Questions

### How far is West Marden from Chichester Festival Theatre?

About 20 minutes by car. Parking at the houses is free when you get back.

### When is the Chichester Festival Theatre 2027 season announced?

It has not been announced yet. The 2026 season was announced on 12 February 2026, so mid-February 2027 is likely.

### Is there a pantomime at Chichester Festival Theatre?

No, not a traditional one. The family Christmas show is the Youth Theatre production, which in 2026 is Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure, reported for 14 to 30 December.

### What is on at Chichester Festival Theatre at Christmas 2026?

Christmas Concerts on 1–5 December, Hey! Christmas Tree in the Minerva on 5–27 December and Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure on 14–30 December. All three are as reported in the press, so check with the theatre.

### When does the Chichester Festival Theatre summer season run?

The main season, called Festival, runs from April to November each year.

## Related

- [A day in Chichester: cathedral, theatre, galleries and a Roman palace](https://themarden.co.uk/local/chichester.md)
- [Where to stay for the Festival of Chichester 2027](https://themarden.co.uk/events/festival-of-chichester.md)
- [Christmas and New Year 2026 in a South Downs house near Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/events/christmas-and-new-year.md)
- [A place for two in the South Downs, with a wood burner and a bath](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/couples-breaks.md)
- [Farm shops and vineyards near West Marden: where to stock the fridge](https://themarden.co.uk/local/food-and-drink.md)
- [Barley Cottage: the dog-friendly one, with a walled lawn](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/barley-cottage.md)

## Booking

Book direct with The Marden at https://themarden.co.uk (no booking fees), or message us on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447822026091. West Marden Farm, West Marden, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9EN.

Page: https://themarden.co.uk/events/chichester-festival-theatre · Last updated 2026-11-14