Portsmouth is marking its 100th year as a city in 2026! To mark this centenary, Portsmouth City Council has curated a year-long programme of cultural events, exhibitions, music, and art, delivered in partnership with organisations across the city.
The celebrations will begin on 1 January 2026 with an intimate open-air event at Castle Field, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The family-friendly event will last 1 hour, and feature vibrant drumming, a unique artwork reveal, and a short 5-minute firework display to kick off Portsmouth100.
While the event is free and open to the public, space is limited, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early. For those unable to attend, the Portsmouth100 film will be shown at locations across the city throughout the year, ensuring everyone can share in the experience.
Programme Highlights:
- 5.45–6.00pm: Batala drummers on Castle Field.
- 6.00–6.15pm: Premiere of the Portsmouth100 film, commissioned by Portsmouth City Council and produced by Global Fire Creative, celebrating the city’s history, culture, and communities.
- 6.15pm: Unveiling of a stunning new artwork by Turner Prize-nominated artist Nathan Coley. His piece, OUTWITHSIDEWAYSOMEWHEREWITH, will illuminate the seafront and bring the historic lighthouse back to life, thanks to funding from Arts Council England.
- 6.20–6.25pm: Fireworks finale.
- 6.30pm: Event finishes.
Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Steve Pitt, said:
“Portsmouth100 is a chance for us to reflect on our proud history and look forward to an exciting future. This launch event is just the beginning of a year filled with creativity, community, and celebration. We invite residents to join us in marking this special moment for our city – whether on New Year’s Day or at one of the many opportunities throughout the year.”
Nathan Coley, the artist behind the lighthouse illumination said:
“Above all I wanted to honour the lighthouse. Although it was decommissioned in 2017, the tower still sits proudly and elegantly on the edge of Southsea Castle – visible from both land and sea. It’s been exciting to give power back to the lighthouse which has sat dormant for all these years.
As the text travels around the lighthouse, it creates a sense of movement which echoes the blinking of the original light that would have been seen out to sea when the lighthouse was a working structure.”
For more information about Portsmouth100 and upcoming events, visit the Portsmouth100 website.