Past Events Guestbook
Please sign our Guest Book and add your memories and photos of visiting A Victorian Festival of Christmas. Our favourite post submitted by 23rd November 2009 will win a family ticket to this year’s event.
Richmond Event Management have worked for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on most of the Victorian Festival of Christmas events since they began in 2000 and it really is one of our favourite shows of the year to work on! We have seen the event grow year on year to become the wonderful, atmospheric and colourful day out it is today. It is a unique experience to be amongst Victorian characters, traditional entertainers and the stunning ships in the dockyard. My highlights include the music hall in Fagin’s Tavern, the magical Santa’s grotto on board HMS Warrior, the evening parades with all the cast, the carol services and of course, the guaranteed snow! The visitors always seem to have smiles on their faces and for me the festival is always the most ‘Christmassy’ thing about Christmas!
- Jo Ashwell, Richmond Event Management Ltd, Bristol
- Jo Ashwell, Richmond Event Management Ltd, Bristol
A wonderful way to start a traditional christmas with the family, three generations went and it was such a wonderful and magical day.
- Carla Nichols, portsmouth
- Carla Nichols, portsmouth
Superb day out!! 2008 was our first visit, and we are coming back this year!!!!
- Barbara Mitchell, Wolverhampton
- Barbara Mitchell, Wolverhampton
I am the Event Co-ordinator here at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and I plan the Victorian Festival of Christmas ALL year round, even on the Sunday of last year’s event I was taking exhibitor bookings for this year!
It’s the best feeling in the world wandering around the event “people watching” and seeing how happy everyone is and how much fun they’re having, it especially makes me smile when I hear people say “Look! I think it’s snowing!” because believe you me it isn’t easy planning the Victorian Street and all it’s snow! But seeing and hearing peoples absolute delight to think that it really is snowing with all the hustle and bustle of Victorian characters around them makes it all well worthwhile :o)
All the plans are coming along nicely for this year and I just know with it being the event’s 10th Anniversary it’s going to feel extra special.
- Terri Hall, Events Co-ordinator, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
It’s the best feeling in the world wandering around the event “people watching” and seeing how happy everyone is and how much fun they’re having, it especially makes me smile when I hear people say “Look! I think it’s snowing!” because believe you me it isn’t easy planning the Victorian Street and all it’s snow! But seeing and hearing peoples absolute delight to think that it really is snowing with all the hustle and bustle of Victorian characters around them makes it all well worthwhile :o)
All the plans are coming along nicely for this year and I just know with it being the event’s 10th Anniversary it’s going to feel extra special.
- Terri Hall, Events Co-ordinator, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
I remember the feeling of being a part of christmas past, particularly when Victorian children play football in the street or antique bicycles whizz by. The amazed look on our 2 year old grandaughters face as we watch the rest of her family ride on a real carousel waving to her every single time they pass. She got waving back by the end of the ride.
- Colin Langridge, Bognor Regis
- Colin Langridge, Bognor Regis
Such a great day that really puts you in the festive mood. The shopping and entertainment are both fab!
- Vicky Eagle, Tring, Hertfordshire
- Vicky Eagle, Tring, Hertfordshire
I work on the Marketing for A Festival of Christmas which is a year round activity. It is always strange to be writing about Christmas and snow in June but after 9 years of working here I am used to it now! Working during the event is hard work but always a lot of fun.
- Kelly Haswell, Portsmouth
- Kelly Haswell, Portsmouth
I am 84 years old and have always wanted to visit Portsmouth. My son and I traveled down on the train from Bristol.
When we arrived at Portsmouth dockyard it was just like stepping back in history. I knew that I would be seeing the Victory but I was not expecting the scenes laid out in front of me. It was marvelous, just like stepping back into the 18th century; it was lovely, everyone wore Victorian costumes, even a gang of school children. Now I’m one of those people that love to chat to others, so I talked to the children and explained that when I was a little girl in Wales the clothes I wore on St David’s day were very similar. The teacher asked me to explain and I did.
Everything we did and experienced was fantastic, the Victory was a wonderful experience, the feeling of historical value I got from all of the stalls, the music and all of the different nationalities on the naval base. There was even mock snow. Even a spot of rain couldn’t stop people coming.
I even chatted to some Brazilian sailors whilst watching the Victorian parade and explained the who John Brown, Queen Victoria’s Gillie, was and their relationship. We also talked about their families and homeland.
The festival and Portsmouth was such an interesting place not only for the celebrated historical connections but also for the fact that you find something new every time. I would love to go again.
Mrs Iris Davey
- Mrs iris Davey, Bristol
When we arrived at Portsmouth dockyard it was just like stepping back in history. I knew that I would be seeing the Victory but I was not expecting the scenes laid out in front of me. It was marvelous, just like stepping back into the 18th century; it was lovely, everyone wore Victorian costumes, even a gang of school children. Now I’m one of those people that love to chat to others, so I talked to the children and explained that when I was a little girl in Wales the clothes I wore on St David’s day were very similar. The teacher asked me to explain and I did.
Everything we did and experienced was fantastic, the Victory was a wonderful experience, the feeling of historical value I got from all of the stalls, the music and all of the different nationalities on the naval base. There was even mock snow. Even a spot of rain couldn’t stop people coming.
I even chatted to some Brazilian sailors whilst watching the Victorian parade and explained the who John Brown, Queen Victoria’s Gillie, was and their relationship. We also talked about their families and homeland.
The festival and Portsmouth was such an interesting place not only for the celebrated historical connections but also for the fact that you find something new every time. I would love to go again.
Mrs Iris Davey
- Mrs iris Davey, Bristol
This will be my third year working at The Festival of Christmas. For me the best thing about the weekend is the variety on offer. Where else can you learn about the cities heritage, get great gifts and sing carols in Fagin's Tavern!
- Alex Lunn, Portsmouth
- Alex Lunn, Portsmouth
i love coming to festival of christmas i was @ the 1st one as a kid & now i'm a victorian sing & dancing in fagin's tavern & i love it !! cant wait till this years one already rehearsaling for it going to be the best let !!!
- adam bullivant, portsmouth
- adam bullivant, portsmouth
Been 4 or 5 times and loved each one, love the Welsh Oggie's and seeing the ships, kids really enjoyed it to. Will be coming this year and hopefully for many years to come.
- Michael, Oxford
- Michael, Oxford
I worked at my first 'A Victorian Festival of Christmas' last year and remember a really festive atmosphere. Even in the cold and rain, everyone was smiling walking down the snow-covered street (including me).
It really is my favourite event here at the Historic Dockyard.
This time I may take a flask of tea out with me though!
- Holly - Marketing Executive, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
It really is my favourite event here at the Historic Dockyard.
This time I may take a flask of tea out with me though!
- Holly - Marketing Executive, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
I work in IT at the Historic Dockyard and always enjoy the Festival of Christmas. It always has such a fantastic atmosphere and it is great to see so many happy faces!
- Phil George, Portsmouth
- Phil George, Portsmouth