Evenings at Chalke
Chalke doesn’t stop when the sun goes down…
We have a packed programme of evening events all week at Chalke for you to enjoy including performances, music, talks, fireside chats and more – even regular performances of Shakespeare’s Henry V! Plus, with our luxury dining, glamping and camping options, you never need to leave.
Find out more below about what’s going on after dark at Chalke History Festival 2025.
New for this year – Evening Entry Tickets for Chalke (Monday – Friday), entry from 4.15pm – allowing you to come after school or work to enjoy the festival. Click here to buy tickets.
Performance & Live Music
Evenings at Chalke come alive with powerful performances, evocative music, and immersive storytelling — all included with your entrance ticket.
From post-apocalyptic folk to Shakespearean drama, murder ballads to medieval tales, expect a rich and diverse mix of entertainment across the festival site every night.
Here are just a few highlights from across the week:
Miranda Rutter: Bird Tunes – an exquisite suite of folk melodies inspired by birdsong
Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings – post-apocalyptic folk with a theatrical twist
Black Sheep Barn Dance – a high-energy ceilidh from Dorset’s legendary folk band
Supersonic Queen – an explosive live tribute to Queen’s greatest hits
The D-Day Darlings – The UK’s premier wartime group
Live Music with Ned Holland – soulful acoustic folk from a rising star
Still Moving DJs – eclectic vintage vibes with live percussion and late-night energy
The Headless Horseman – a Bronze Age ghost story reimagined by Estelle Phillips
Henry V – a dynamic Shakespearean performance from On Cue Theatre
Storytelling with Martin Shaw – mythic tales from the master of story
The Last Bantam – Michael Hughes brings the tale of WWI’s bantam battalions to life
Monsterland – Nick Jubber’s spellbinding journey through myth and legend
Murder Ballad – dark folk tales and haunting music with Lucy Ribchester & Ailsa Dixon
Evening Talks at Chalke
Whether you’re joining after work or extending your daytime visit, the evening talks offer a chance to go deeper, laugh louder, and connect with the biggest questions of our time.
Stay for dinner and enjoy one of our thought-provoking evening talks. All talks included in your entrance ticket.
Monday 23 June
Trump and the End of Liberal Democracy: What Next? – with John Gray and Helen Thompson
Wolf Hall and the Legacy of Hilary Mantel – a tribute with Peter Florence, Tracy Borman & Owen Emmerson
Korea: War Without End – with General Lord Richard Dannatt and Rob Lyman, in conversation with Peter Caddick-Adams.
Tuesday 24 June
Suetonius – Tom Holland explores the scandalous lives of the Caesars
Jane Austen at 250: Romantic or Radical? – Gill Hornby & Helena Kelly on Austen’s legacy
Harold Wilson: Twentieth Century Man – with Alan Johnson and Trevor Dolby
We Are Not Numbers – Ahmed Alnaouq shares stories from the lived experiences of Gaza’s youth.
Wednesday 25 June
Israel: The Day After – with Ehud Barak & Greg Mills
The Age of Dishonour – US presidential values from FDR to Trump with Anthony Scaramucci & James Holland
Christianity: The Return of a Myth – with Mark Vernon, Martin Shaw & Catherine Coldstream
Thursday 26 June
Trump, US Politics and Me – Anthony Scaramucci in conversation with Tony Pastor
The Murders at 10 Rillington Place – true crime with Kate Summerscale
Michael Gove: A Life in Politics – a candid conversation with the former minister
Friday 27 June
History for Tomorrow – Roman Krznaric & Ali Ansari explore how the past can shape our future
Mission Europe: Women of SOE – with historian Kate Vigurs
Al Murray: Pub Landlord – a raucous evening of comedy (ticket supplement £5)
Saturday 28 June
Saints – Medieval Legends of Heroes, Humans and Magic with Amy Jeffs
Chronicling The Impossible – with magician Paul Regan
Histrionics – join this years All-Star Line-Up for Chalke’s very own comedy history quiz
Murder in the Gulag: The Explosive Account of How Putin Poisoned Alexei Navalny with John Sweeney
Make A Night Of It
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Camping and Glamping
Stay under the stars and soak up the full evening atmosphere at Chalke History Festival.
Set in a stunning field overlooking the site and surrounding valley, our campsite is the perfect base for enjoying everything the evenings have to offer. Make your festival experience extra special in one of Yippee Boutique’s beautiful bell tents.
Find out more here.
Food and Drink
Evenings at Chalke are made for good food, great company, and unforgettable experiences.
From relaxed street food and buzzing bars to festival fine dining, there’s something to suit every taste. Join us in the Dining Tent for Supper served daily from 18:30–20:00 (Mon–Sat booking essential). Book Festival Fine Dining
Student Offer 2025 – Stay Late, Save Big
Students can enjoy the full festival experience for half the price – with 50% off daily, 3-day, and weekly tickets, plus half-price camping.
Grab an Evening Entry Ticket for only £14.50 Mon – Fri – from 4:15pm onwards. (Valid Student ID required at entry.)
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Join Us At The UK’s Leading History Festival
Entrance tickets are now on sale – click here.
Sign up to the Chalke History Festival newsletter here and check chalkefestival.com for updates.
