Events at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Discover a range of exciting events taking place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, from public talks and exhibitions to exclusive events for our veteran community. Whether you’re attending an iconic ceremony, exploring our historic grounds, or joining one of our many free events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Explore the upcoming internal and external events below and be part of the vibrant life at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Upcoming Events
Guided Tours of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Tue 6th Jan 2026 10.00am - Wed 23rd Dec 2026 4.00pmDiscover the history, beauty, and stories of the Royal Hospital Chelsea by joining one of our guided tours, led by a Chelsea Pensioner. You’ll explore some of the most stunning historic buildings in London and gain an insider’s perspective on what life is like as part of this unique community.
Chelsea History Festival - Tours
Thu 1st Oct 2026 10.00am - Sun 4th Oct 2026 7.30pmDiscover the history, beauty, and stories of the Royal Hospital Chelsea by joining one of our guided tours during the Chelsea History Festival. You’ll explore some of the most stunning historic buildings in London and gain an insider’s perspective on what life is like as part of this unique community.
Chelsea Pensioners’ Collection: Object Handling at Soane Stable Yard - Chelsea History Festival
Thu 1st Oct 2026 11.00am - Sat 3rd Oct 2026 2.00pmStep into the daily life of the Chelsea Pensioners through a hands-on encounter with objects and stories from the Royal Hospital’s history.
Tour: Twilight Tours - Chelsea History Festival
Thu 1st Oct 2026 6.00pm - Sat 3rd Oct 2026 7.30pmAs the sun sets and the site falls quiet, you’ll be led by your Chelsea Pensioner Guide through the historic grounds under the cover of night – hearing stories rarely shared in the daylight.
Tour: State Apartments - Chelsea History Festival
Fri 2nd Oct 2026 5.30pm - Sun 4th Oct 2026 5.00pmJoin a Chelsea Pensioner Guide for an exclusive, behind‑the‑scenes tour of the magnificent State Apartments at the heart of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Concert: Choral Music of Edward Elgar - Chelsea History Festival
Fri 2nd Oct 2026 7.00pm - Fri 2nd Oct 2026 8.45pmJoin the widely acclaimed Royal Hospital Chelsea Chapel Choir in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Elgar Society, with a concert of his finest sacred and secular choral music.
Tour: Royal Hospital Chelsea - Chelsea History Festival
Sat 3rd Oct 2026 10.00am - Sun 4th Oct 2026 3.30pmConducted personally by one of the Chelsea Pensioners, this tour transports participants from the dawn of Restoration England through to the Napoleonic Wars and into the austerity of two World Wars.
Living History Reenactors - Chelsea History Festival
Sat 3rd Oct 2026 11.00am - Sat 3rd Oct 2026 3.00pmStep back in time at Living History at the Soane Stable Yard, where a vibrant cast of reenactors brings Chelsea’s extraordinary past to life, from the days of Roman Londinium to the revolutionary spirit of the 20th century.
Royal Hospital Chelsea: Sikh History Tour - Chelsea History Festival
Sat 3rd Oct 2026 11.00am - Sat 3rd Oct 2026 1.00pmExplore the Royal Hospital Chelsea with expert guide Rav Singh, as he brings alive stories from the Kingdom of Lahore and the Sikhs.
Print, Pattern & Play: Family Workshop - Chelsea History Festival
Sat 3rd Oct 2026 11.00am - Sat 3rd Oct 2026 4.00pmGet creative with colour, shapes and printing in this fun, hands-on workshop for all ages. A relaxed, family-friendly drop-in inspired by patterns from around the world.
Dog Tour with a Chelsea Pensioner
Sat 3rd Oct 2026 11.00am - Sat 3rd Oct 2026 12.00pmAlongside your canine companion, enjoy a unique guided tour of the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s South Grounds, led by one of our own Chelsea Pensioners.
Family story walk (12pm tour) - Chelsea History Festival
Sat 3rd Oct 2026 12.00pm - Sat 3rd Oct 2026 12.45pmStep back in time with musician and storyteller Paul Rubinstein on this magical family story walk of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners Discover 300 years of history in this interactive 45-minute tour designed for families with children aged 5-10.