Christmas is Unravelling Before Our Eyes: Portsmouth’s Festive Season Begins!

There’s a particular kind of magic that sweeps through Portsmouth when December rolls in. The lights glow warmer, the high streets hum with excitement, and suddenly your calendar looks like it’s had one too many mulled wines. Christmas in our city doesn’t just arrive, it unfolds, market by market, show by show, like an advent calendar stuffed with brilliant local talent, food, music and festive cheer.

This year, Portsmouth is delivering an avalanche of holiday joy. Whether you’re hunting for handmade treasures, booking a family day out, or getting ready to belt out your favourite Christmas classics, the city is absolutely stacked with events.

Here’s your festive line-up.

Hotwalls Studios Festive Creative Market

29th & 30th November — 10 am to 4 pm

Hotwalls Studios is kicking off the season with its biggest market yet. More than 50 brilliant makers are setting up in brand-new wooden chalets, joined by a huge Christmas tree, twinkling lights and the unmistakable scent of mulled wine from The Canteen.

Expect an artist’s paradise: prints, paintings, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and far more. Add in creative workshops, seasonal music and delicious food, and you’ve essentially got the ideal opening chapter to your Christmas story.

And because there are multiple Creative Market dates this year, you’ve got plenty of chances to browse, shop and mingle with Portsmouth’s creative crowd.

Love Southsea Christmas Market, Historic Dockyard

29th & 30th November 10am to 4pm

The beloved Mega Market returns, and it’s gone big. This year, Love Southsea takes over two grand venues inside the Dockyard: Boathouse 5 and Boathouse 7.

Inside, you’ll find an unbeatable mix of handmade goods, unique gifts, and festive treats. Add in a stacked entertainment schedule with dancers, musicians, and live performances from Curtain Call Productions, and the whole weekend becomes a full festive experience rather than “just a shop around”.

Consider this your one-stop Christmas marketplace with style, sparkle and a lovely local heart.

Love Actually in Concert

29th November

If a single film could define British festive cinema, it’s Love Actually. This year, the classic returns with a live orchestra performing Craig Armstrong’s acclaimed score as the movie plays on the big screen.

Reviews from previous tours describe it as “spectacular” and “joyful”, adding extra magic to an already beloved film. It’s a proper festive night out, especially if watching Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy on a huge screen is your love language.

Santa Toymakers Workshop - Spinnaker Tower

29th November - 24th December

Santa is clocking in early this year, landing at Spinnaker Tower with his team of busy elves. Children can make their own cuddly toy in Santa’s workshop before meeting the red-suited legend himself.

New for 2025: dedicated SEN sessions, featuring softer lighting, reduced capacity and a calm environment so every child can enjoy the magic in the way that suits them best.

Your ticket also includes a festive trail around the tower, complete with mischievous elves, Christmas stories and those iconic Solent views. Round it off with a stop at the Cocoa Cabin for hot chocolate and seasonal drinks. It’s the ultimate family day out recipe.

Aladdin — The Pompey Panto

5th – 31st December Kings Theatre

Prepare for glitter, giggles and glorious chaos — the Kings Theatre panto is back with Aladdin! Shaun Williamson returns (yes… Barry from EastEnders), alongside panto legend Jack Edwards. Expect outrageous costumes, flying carpets, toilet-roll storms and enough panto magic to fuel you well into the new year.

Perfect for families, nostalgia-lovers and anyone who believes Christmas isn’t complete without a boo, a hiss, and a genie with questionable priorities.

Love Southsea Markets -Palmerston Road

5–7 Dec, 12–14 Dec, 19–21 Dec

Palmerston Road transforms into a festive hive of creativity, street food and community spirit. Love Southsea’s markets have been part of Portsmouth’s heartbeat since 2008, and they’ve never been busier.

Browse art, vintage fashion, photography, candles, gifts, homewares and more, all while soaking up the buzzing atmosphere that only this market can create. The diversity of traders mirrors the diversity of the city itself, and that’s what makes it such a joy to wander through.

Port Solent — Festival of Christmas Markets

6th & 7th December 10 am to 4 pm

Port Solent closes its market season with a spectacular two-day Christmas finale. More than 100 stallholders, brilliant entertainment, choirs, brass bands, and roaming characters, including the Snowman and Father Christmas.

Entertainment includes:

• Igloo Music

• Portsmouth Salvation Army Brass Band

• The Hill Brothers

• Pitchpipers Choir

• Fine Voice Choir

• Pompey Pluckers

It’s a cosy waterfront Christmas village experience, and it’s free to attend.

The Muppets Christmas Carol - Guildhall Square

7th December 18:30

Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol features a screening of the complete film with its musical score performed live by an orchestra.

The Muppets perform Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Gonzo, as Dickens, narrates the story with the help of Rizzo the Rat. The film also features Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, and Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim.

When the grumpy Scrooge receives Christmas Eve visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, they show him the error of his self-serving ways. Though the miserable old man seems beyond any hope of redemption and happiness, the kind and humble Bob Cratchit, his family, and the Spirits open Scrooge's eyes–and his heart–to the true meaning of Christmas. The original score was composed by Miles Goodman (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Little Shop of Horrors) with songs by Oscar®, Emmy® and GRAMMY®-winning songwriter Paul Williams ("Rainbow Connection," "Evergreen").

Christmas with Anton Du Beke and Friends

From 15th December — Kings Theatre

Strictly’s Ballroom King is waltzing into Portsmouth for a sparkling Christmas show filled with music, dance, and good old-fashioned charm.

Anton brings a full live band, powerhouse vocalist Lance Ellington, and a troupe of dancers, creating a polished evening of festive entertainment. It’s classic Christmas glamour with enough sequins to be seen from the Isle of Wight.

Elf The Musical at Portsmouth Guildhall

27th – 29th December

This isn’t your average stage show; it's an arena spectacular. Think: Santa’s flying sleigh, an interactive snowball fight, a giant candy-cane journey, and a massive LED backdrop.

Created by the powerhouse team behind some of the UK’s biggest touring productions, Elf The Musical brings the beloved film to life with big laughs, big sets and bigger festive feels.

A brilliant post-Christmas family treat.

A Month of Magic Ahead

Whether you’re a market wanderer, a theatre lover, or someone who simply enjoys a good hot chocolate under twinkly lights, Portsmouth is positively overflowing with festive joy this year.

The season is unravelling beautifully, one event, one market, one glittery adventure at a time. A whole December is waiting to be discovered.