West Dean Chilli Festival

Join the party at the West Dean Chilli Fiesta in August to enjoy a family-friendly festival with something for everyone. From Friday 9th to Sunday 11th August, 2019, the UK’s original and biggest Chilli Festival will be offering a range of activities all linked to Chilli.

Whether you want to dance to live Latin music with professionals from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, watch cookery with contestants from the Great British Bake Off, or take in gardening demonstrations, there is lots to get involved with.

Picked as one of the top 20 Food Events of 2019 by the Daily Telegraph, this year’s Festival will include a variety of top chefs demonstrating their culinary expertise with creative chilli-based recipes in the Cookery Theatre. Music on the front lawn and in the Los Amigos Bar will also feature as well as a musical firework finale on the Saturday. The Crawley Millennium Concert Bank will play on Sunday.

Gardening talks and tours include demonstrations in the Garden Theatre. Mark Diacono will be hosting the Gardening Theatre this year and will be giving talks on his book ‘Taste of the Unexpected.’ Mark will also be running Garden Cocktail tasting sessions and share his expert knowledge on how to grow herbs and incorporate them into delicious cocktail recipes.

Kate Bradbury, wildlife writer and author, will be talking about her passion for organic wildlife-friendly gardening and Lia Leendertz will also be appearing in the theatre over the weekend, discussing the month of August from her 2019 Almanac.

There is a range of children’s activities and plenty of opportunity for shopping with over 140 shopping stalls selling chilli gifts, plants and seeds.

You can make the most of the weekend by camping on-site in the grounds of West Dean College of Arts and Conservation and West Dean Gardens, in the South Downs National Park.

Early bird tickets are now on sale, including 3-day camping pass or day tickets. Make sure you book early as there are a limited number of pitches for camping.

Please visit www.westdeangardens.org.uk for more information.

Picture credits: All images are © West Dean Gardens