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Be entertained, educated and inspired through local, national and global history through an immersive programme of events, storytelling and performances.
Tickets are now on sale, find out more including which events are free in the full programme here.
The flagship event of Chelsea Heritage Quarter, the Festival brings history to life in one of the capital's most storied neighbourhoods. This year's theme, World History, will be explored through around 100 talks, performances, concerts, walking tours, workshops and family activities examining the people, events and ideas that have shaped societies across the globe.
With support from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and headline sponsor Cadogan, the programme will unfold across Chelsea Physic Garden, the National Army Museum and Royal Hospital Chelsea, as well as Chelsea Old Church, Chelsea Theatre, Royal Court Theatre and Garrison Chapel.
Highlights of the free and family friendly programme include 'Living History at the Soane Stable Yard', bringing characters from across the centuries to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Families can meet a Roman centurion, an Anglo-Saxon storyteller, a militant suffragette and celebrated architect Sir Christopher Wren, from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October. 'Sketching Like Sarrut' is a free workshop at the National Army museum over the weekend. The Chelsea Physic Garden will also open free of charge on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, giving visitors the opportunity to explore London’s oldest botanic garden and its remarkable collection of medicinal, edible and useful plants.
New for 2026, acclaimed broadcaster and journalist John Simpson joins the Festival as Guest Curator. In John Simpson Unspun, at the National Army Museum on Friday 2 October at 4pm, he will sit down with Chelsea Citizen Editor Rob McGibbon to reflect on more than six decades spent reporting the first draft of world history. Moving beyond the wars, political upheavals and encounters with world leaders, the conversation will reveal the man behind the camera and the headlines.
John Simpson's Festival picks include:
• The History of Chelsea in Four Objects on Thursday from 6:30-7:30pm. Get up close to four remarkable artefacts which reveal an extraordinary story of power, patronage, innovation, community and reinvention. Part detective story, part treasure hunt, and part historical debate, the audience will have the final vote on which object had the greatest influence on Chelsea's character. Learn more here.
• Medicinal Trees Tour at Chelsea Physic Garden on Thursday 1 October from 11am - 12pm. Learn more here.
•The Last Emperor Of China: Twilight Of The Forbidden City With Paul French. From 12-1pm on Thursday 1 October, bestselling historian Paul French returns to the story of China’s last emperor with new evidence, forgotten voices and a fresh look at the final years of the Forbidden City. Learn more here.
•The Last Bantam with Michael Hughes: A compelling one-man drama telling the extraordinary story of Britain’s forgotten ‘Bantam’ soldiers, the thousands of shorter men who volunteered to fight during the First World War. Thursday 1 October at 4pm. Learn more here.
