Welcome to the FAQ section for the Chester Festival of Ideas – your go-to guide for planning your visit and making the most of this city-wide celebration of creativity, knowledge, and community. If your question isn’t answered here, feel free to reach out via our Get in Touch page.
General Information
What is the Chester Festival of Ideas
The Chester Festival of Ideas is a programme of free and accessible public events on a wider range of themes in and around Chester created by the University of Chester in collaboration with external stakeholders and city partners. The Chester Festival of Ideas is a celebration of imagination, learning, and culture, bringing together a wide range of events – including talks, exhibitions, performances, and hands-on workshops – across the city. It’s an invitation to explore new perspectives and engage in creative thinking.
When does the festival take place?
The Chester Festival of Ideas takes place annually. The 2026 edition runs from 2 – 5 July 2025, with events hosted at multiple venues throughout Chester.
Where is the festival held?
- Town Hall (Festival Hub and information desk where you can access information and programmes on the Festival)
- Storyhouse
- Grosvenor Shopping Centre – CASC Gallery
- Chester Cathedral
- Grosvenor Museum
- University of Chester campuses
- Picture House
- Chester Market
- City Forest Garden
Do I need tickets?
All events are free, and some welcome walk-ins. For bookable events we recommend reserving your spot in advanced to guarantee your place, as some events have limited capacity. Booking is available through each event page.
Booking & Accessibility
How do I book tickets?
Head to the specific event listing on our website and click the “Book Now” button. You’ll receive an email confirmation with your ticket details.
What happens if I need to cancel a booking?
We are aware that plans can change and that you may need to cancel a ticket that you have booked. You can contact the Festival team through the Get in Touch form to cancel your ticket.
Is the festival accessible?
Yes – we’re committed to making the festival inclusive. All levels of Chester Town Hall are accessible. There is lift access to the different floors which is available through a side entrance to the Town Hall via Princess Street. The only room in the Town Hall that is not fully accessible is the Courtroom.
Not all events outside the Town Hall are accessible, do check the event details or contact us for any information on accessibility. For example, walks may be over uneven surfaces, include steps, not have shade and need appropriate clothing and footwear.
BSL interpretation will be available at selected events.
Some of our sessions will include sensory sessions and quiet times, please see the events for details.
Assistance dogs are welcome at all venues.
We have sensory backpacks available for Festival goers who wish to use them, for both children and adults. Our sensory backpacks includes resources that provide support with engaging with the festival events. They include headphones, sunglasses, fidget toys and sensory aids. They are free to use and are available at the main festival hub inside the entrance to Chester Town Hall.
Please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us if you require any further accessibility arrangements for the festival, we are happy to help.
Planning Your Visit
How do I get to the festival?
Please see the Festival ways to travel page for advise on how to get to the Festival
Is the festival suitable for children?
Absolutely! We offer a range of family-friendly events designed to inspire young minds. Age guidance is included in each listing. Unless event guidance states otherwise, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all time.
Can I bring a pram
Yes. Prams are welcome at most venues, particularly family-focused events.
Are there baby-changing facilities?
Yes, most main venues offer accessible baby-changing facilities.
Can I bring my dog or other pet?
Only assistance dogs are permitted inside festival venues. Other pets are not allowed due to venue policies.
During the Festival
When should I arrive for an event?
Please aim to arrive at least 10–15 minutes before the scheduled start time. This is particularly important for some of the larger events where we are expecting a larger audience. Admission to ticketed events is on a first-come, first-served basis. Not everyone who asks for tickets uses them, and to ensure we have a good-sized audience, we send out more tickets than there are places. While we do our best to get the numbers right, unfortunately we occasionally have to disappoint people. We therefore reserve the right to refuse admittance if the venue is full. Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone arriving late if this will disrupt an event that has already started.
What should I bring?
Bring your booking confirmation – either printed or on your mobile. If the event requires anything specific (e.g., notebooks, materials), it will be noted on the event page.
Will there be food and drink available?
Many venues have cafés or are located near local food spots.
Are toilets available?
Yes – most main venues are equipped with toilets, including accessible and baby-changing options.
Is there somewhere for bags and other items to be stored?
We cannot store bags or other items for event attendees, except for a small number of prams at key locations. Belongings must be kept with event attendees at all times for security reasons. The Festival, University or venue is not liable for the loss or damage of any items left unattended.
Guidance for Event Attendees
At Chester Festival of Ideas we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and accessible space for our Festival audience and participants. Below you can find our guidelines for events. Please note that your attendance signifies your agreement to abide by these guidelines.
Guidelines Festival Events
- The hub for the Festival will be the Town Hall, if you have any questions, concerns or queries please go there and find one of our Festival volunteers.
- Festival volunteers will be in the Town Hall and at some of our events wearing Festival T-Shirts if you need a point of contact during the Festival.
- Your attendance indicates that you agree to comply with all applicable health and safety, security, fire and other rules and regulations in force at the event, and to follow the instructions of event organisers, stewards and venue staff. Failure to do so could result in you being refused admittance or being asked to leave an event.
- Unless event guidance states otherwise, all children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Not all events may be fully accessible, walks may be over uneven surfaces, include steps, offer little shade, and may need suitable clothing and footwear.
- Threatening or anti-social behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in you being asked to leave immediately.
- Our Festival events should be welcoming, inclusive, supportive and safe events, where people feel that they are able to express themselves. We are keen to create a safe space for different views and encourage respectful discussion, debate and exchange of views. The use of professional cameras, video and/or audio equipment is not allowed without the prior permission of the event organisers. If your behaviour does not meet these standards, you may be asked to leave the event.
- Occasionally our events are filmed, photographed or recorded by the Festival team or venue. Please let a member of the Festival team know before the event if you do not consent to be photographed, filmed or recorded.
- Admission to ticketed events is on a first-come, first-served basis. Not everyone who asks for tickets uses them, and to ensure we have a good-sized audience, we send out more tickets than there are places. While we do our best to get the numbers right, unfortunately we occasionally have to disappoint people. We therefore reserve the right to refuse admittance if the venue is full.
- Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone arriving late if this will disrupt an event that has already started.
- Tickets should be shown at the event entrance in print or on your smartphone. Admittance cannot be guaranteed without a ticket, even if you arrive at the event on time, as those with tickets will be admitted first.
- Occasionally an event needs to be cancelled or the time changed due to circumstances outside our control or because of a lack of public interest. If this happens, you will be contacted by the email address you provided at the time of booking.
- If you require a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan Checklist and are attending an event at the town hall, we need you to fill in a PEEP form on the day when you arrive at the Town Hall, we will have these forms at the Festival Desk.
Still Have a Question?
Reach out to our team via the Contact Form. We’d love to hear from you.