It runs from 19-28 August and festival fever takes over Arundel with art, live music, theatre and family fun all over the town. Many are free options too – so have a look at what’s on and come along!

Jubilee Gardens

Launching with a burlesque performance, the Red Lion pub has teamed up with Hammerpot and Lister’s Brewery to offer a range of free music and film nights in Jubilee Gardens.

Fri 18 to Mon 28 August, free

Street entertainment

The streets around Arundel are packed with jugglers, dancers, singers, stilt walkers, magicians, bands, morris dancers and clowns, with Arundel’s Got Talent, a competition for eight to 16 year-olds, a new addition for 2017.

Weekends, from 11am, free

Gallery Trail

More than 150 sculptors, painters, ceramicists, textiles and furniture makers show their work, in 60 locations. Participating venues are marked with red and yellow flags.

Various locations, Sat 19 to Mon 28 August, 2pm to 5.30pm weekdays, noon to 5.30pm weekends, free

Words and Music in Private Houses

One of England’s most famous murder trials, the philanthropic Henry XV Duke of Norfolk and how to commemorate the Russian Revolution are among the subjects tackled in 57 Maltravers Street. The role of the garden in Jane Austen’s novels are discussed at Peppering High Barn, Burpham on Wednesday 23 August, and on Tuesday 22 August six homes host performances in a musicians’ trail.

Various locations and times, Mon 21 to Fri 25 August, from £10

Drip Action Theatre Trail

Drip Action returns with its 17th trail of brand new plays. Chosen from hundreds submitted to a writer’s competition, they include Exits and Entrances by author Simon Brett and winner Changing Room by David Thame.

Various venues, Sat 19 to 26 August, from 11am, £5/£3 per play or £30 for all

Arundel Wine Society

Try wines from the Dordogne, Northern Italy, New Zealand and a selection of champagne method sparkling wines in four guided tastings at The Norfolk Arms, La Campania and Bay Tree Restaurants and Swan Hotel. Look out for a vineyard tour on Monday 21 and restaurant trail on Tuesday 22. For more information email Richard@arundelwinesociety.co.uk.

Various venues, Wed 23 to Sat 26 August, 4pm, £18 each or all four £60 from Larkins in Tarrant Street

Dragon boat racing

A total of 20 teams of up to 17 crew members compete along a 250m stretch of river for the second year of dragon boat racing in the festival. Proceeds will go towards Home-Start Arun.

River Arun, Sat 26 August, 10am to 4pm, free to watch

Shakespeare

GB Theatre returns to perform the evergreen open-air favourite A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in full Elizabethan costume with live music.

Collector Earl’s Garden, Arundel Castle, off High Street Lodge, Fri 25 August and Sat 26 August, gardens open from 5.30pm, from £26/£16

Duck Race

Arundel Museum Society runs this annual closing competition for Arundel Festival, as more than 2,000 sponsored rubber ducks race along the river in a desperate battle to be first over the line.

River Arun, Monday 28 August, 3.35pm, free to watch

Koala Bears

A display of 20th century high performance cars courtesy of the Sporting Bears Motor Club.

High Street, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 August

Laughter for Wellness and Wellbeing

Lesley Raphael brings an hour of laughter exercises to Arundel Festival for the first time.

Norfolk Arms Hotel, High Street, Thursday 24 August, 10.50am to noon, £6

Help for Heroes Static Bike Challenge

Fundraiser Andy Batty and a team of volunteers take on the challenge to ride 500 miles on a static bike in aid of Help For Heroes.

Mill Road, Saturday 19 to Monday 28 August, 11am to 5pm

Street Wisdom

Take part in an individual street quest across Arundel designed to resolve problems and answer long-ignored questions under the guidance of Chris Bemrose and Kat Hounsell.

Arundel Brewery Shop, Town Quay, Sunday 20 and Wednesday 23 August, 2pm to 5pm, free

For information on more than 200 events visit www.arundelfestival.co.uk

Don’t forget – this is an ANNUAL EVENT! Similar again next year!

© Chichester Self Catering 2017