Charleston Festival 2020

It is with immense sadness that, despite our best efforts to develop a creative contingency plan, this year’s Charleston Festival is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These unprecedented times of uncertainty, fear and isolation are touching all our lives. We are absolutely heartbroken that this spring, for the first time since 1989, we cannot cherish the Bloomsbury spirit of togetherness at Charleston: a place that has been a sanctuary for so many, and for so long.

As a charity that receives no public funding, the cancellation of the Festival and our current period of closure is having a devastating financial impact on Charleston.

All Charleston Festival ticket holders will be contacted and offered the option to donate their ticket purchases to support Charleston.

We know these are challenging times for many people, but Charleston needs your help now more than ever.

Please, if you can, make a donation to support Charleston. We are enormously grateful for whatever you can afford to give.

DONATE NOW

What's on at Charleston Festival

16 May

A Life with Lucian

Celia Paul and William Feaver reflect on their memories of Lucian Freud and what it means to live an artist’s life.

Adjoa Andoh Charleston Festival Image Thumbnail

17 May

Anne Brontë: 200 Years

To mark the 200th anniversary of Anne Brontë’s birth, celebrate her work with conversation and live readings.

Maggi Hambling Charleston Festival Thumbnail Image

20 May

Generations

Maggi Hambling reflects on art across the generations in light of her late father Harry Hambling, a self-taught watercolour painter.

Bernardine Evaristo Charleston Festival Thumbnail Image

22 May