A glorious summer’s afternoon ensured the 2023 Festival of Chichester got off to the perfect start on Saturday.<br />The Festival’s traditional launch day event comprised two and a half hours of free entertainment on the Cathedral Green – the ideal curtain-raiser for the four weeks of events which now follow, spanning theatre to music, talks and walks to art and exhibitions.<br />The Mayor of Chichester, Craig Gershater, officially declared the Festival open; Festival president and best-selling novelist Kate Mosse then spoke of the important role the festival – and the arts – play in our community.<br />It all set the scene for more than 90 brilliant events lined up across all the arts. The festival officially runs until 9 July but even after that there are a few extra bonuses. <br />To get the full picture, browse the festival website and discover the fantastic choice on offer. The majority of event tickets are available online through www.thenovium.org/boxoffice and in person from The Novium, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QH, just a stone’s throw north of the Cathedral. Email: boxoffice@chichester.gov.uk; phone: 01243 816525. For phone and in-person bookings the box office is open Tuesday to Friday 10am-4.30pm & Saturday 10am-5pm. Also on Sundays 10am-4pm from June 18 18 onwards.<br /><br />
