What's on in Portsmouth: November and December 2026

November 2026

4 November: Portsmouth fireworks display

Wednesday 4 November, site opens 4pm; display scheduled from 7pm; event ends 8pm | Outdoor family event | Southsea Common, Portsmouth.

Enjoy stalls and family entertainment before the fireworks above Southsea Common. The city's official visitor programme has the current event details; confirm the display status before heading to the seafront.

5 November: Lunchtime Live - Margot's Musicians

Thursday 5 November, 1.10pm to 2pm | Young musicians' recital | St Thomas's Chapel, Portsmouth Cathedral, Old Portsmouth.

Hear young music students taught and coordinated by recorder specialist Margot Carter. This daytime performance takes place in the Cathedral's St Thomas's Chapel.

13 November: Vivaldi and The Lark Ascending

Friday 13 November, 7.30pm to 10pm | Classical concert | Portsmouth Cathedral | Ticketed; booking is managed by the external promoter.

London Concertante performs Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Vaughan Williams's The Lark Ascending, with Mozart's Marriage of Figaro overture opening the programme. Use the event's booking link for ticket queries and current prices.

19 to 21 November: We Shine Community

Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 November, main installations 5pm to 9pm; individual programme times vary | Light, art and performance festival | Locations across Portsmouth | Free.

Explore illuminated art at Cosham Park, Victoria Park, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and St Mary's Church in Fratton. The reimagined festival marks 100 years of Portsmouth's city status. The Fratton lantern parade is listed for Friday 20 November at 7pm from Victory Business Centre.

From 21 November: Portsmouth On Ice

Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Seasonal ice skating, ages 3+ | Guildhall Square, Portsmouth PO1 2AB | Children aged 5 to 15 from £13.50; adults aged 16+ from £15.50; spectators enter free.

Skate hire is included. Daily 9am to 10am sessions have reduced capacity for a quieter visit, with additional SEND sessions listed by the organiser. Children aged three to seven need a skating adult aged 18 or over. Check the booking calendar for holiday hours and session choices.

24 to 28 November: Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 November | Comedy theatre, ages 8+ | Kings Theatre, Southsea | Tickets advertised from £25; approximately two hours and 20 minutes including interval.

Mischief's Cornley Amateur Drama Society attempts Dickens's Christmas story while its production falls into chaos. The show includes moderately bad language and innuendo. A BSL-interpreted performance is listed for 25 November at 2.30pm.

28 and 29 November, 5 and 6 December: Hotwalls festive market

Saturdays and Sundays 28 and 29 November and 5 and 6 December, 10am to 4pm | Local makers, music and festive shopping | Hotwalls Studios and Round Tower, Old Portsmouth.

Shop handmade work, seasonal treats and food from local creatives, with musical performances during the day. Different traders attend each weekend, with chalets outside and further stalls in the Round Tower.

28 November: Cathedral Christmas fair

Saturday 28 November, 11am to 2.30pm | Community festive fair | Portsmouth Cathedral, Old Portsmouth | Free entry, donations welcome; Santa's grotto charged separately.

Browse handmade decorations, books, puzzles, jewellery and homemade preserves, with hot food and children's activities. The fair raises funds for the Cathedral. Bring a payment card for purchases at this mainly cashless venue.

December 2026

1 December: Portsmouth Hospitals charity Christmas concert

Tuesday 1 December, 7.30pm; general doors 7pm | Music, carols and readings | Portsmouth Cathedral | Concert-only tickets £20 including a programme; a separate VIP option is available.

Join the QA Hospital festive concert in support of Portsmouth Hospitals Charity. The advertised finish is around 9.15pm to 9.30pm. Follow the event's booking link to choose the concert-only ticket or the separately priced reception.

5 December: Small Business Saturday market

Saturday 5 December | Independent-business Christmas market | Portsmouth city centre, alongside the main Christmas Market | Check the official listing for opening times.

Local entrepreneurs showcase gifts, handmade products and seasonal treats in this one-day taster market. It is part of the national Small Business Saturday campaign and offers another way to discover independent Portsmouth traders.

From 5 December: Jack and the Beanstalk

Selected family performances Saturday 5 to Thursday 31 December | Pantomime | Kings Theatre, Southsea | Tickets advertised from £10; prices vary by performance.

Jack Edwards returns as Dame Trott, with Shaun Williamson as Fleshcreep and Sean Smith as Jack. A BSL-interpreted performance is listed for 5 December at 2pm, and a relaxed show for 12 December at 10.30am. The separately advertised adult panto on 28 and 29 December is a different booking.