Festival of Christmas

A Victorian Festival of Christmas

10th Anniversary

Friday 27th - Sunday 29th November.  

You will be magically transported into a Dickensian-style bygone era of snowy white streets with a festive fairground and seasonal carols. Hearty food is on the menu including the much-loved roasted chestnuts and mulled wine; and pleasure can be found throughout the dockyard with parlour games, bawdy Music Hall, a nativity farm and a traditional ‘green’ Santa, fun for all the family.

You will be met by a host of colourful characters including the Town Crier, suffragettes, chimney sweeps and cheeky scamps. We would also like to advise revellers to be wary of pickpockets… Fagin and his gang are out in force in the tavern to celebrate 100 years of being in film.

Children can enjoy Victorian treats from Father Christmas in his grotto onboard HMS Warrior 1860, before taking their place in the school room in the Royal Naval Museum, to ensure they are on best behaviour before Queen Victoria herself arrives to oversee the merriment.

Gifts are a-plenty when the grand buildings of the Historic Dockyard are transformed into a glorious bazaar of arts, crafts, food, drink and gifts, a Continental Market and Georgian Colonnades – making the Festival of Christmas the largest Christmas market on the South Coast!

The day draws to a close with a twilight parade through the Historic Dockyard of all the festival characters, led by Queen Victoria in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage, and set against the backdrop of the ships in their illuminated glory.

Ticket prices include entry to all the festive entertainment and entry to the attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, HMS Victory, the Mary Rose, HMS Warrior 1860, the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations. (Harbour Tours not included).