Low-cost activities and entertainment

Browse our simple list of events and activities for October and November that are either free or low cost (under £10). 

24 October to 1 November: Spooky half-term fun at Fort Nelson

• Time: 10am to 4pm
• Location: Fort Nelson, Portsdown Hill Road
• Cost: Free (but you must book a space)

The fort will be transformed into a hub of spooky adventure this half term, with a new ‘Creepy Codebreaker’ museum trail and a host of free daily activities for children and families. Kids can take part in the creepy trail helping the fort’s caretaker, Mr Grimm, solve a strange mystery. A creature has been spotted creeping around the museum at night and visitors are needed to uncover its identity. 

Here's what to expect:

• Ghoulish Game Zone - gruesome games and challenges.
• Creepy Creation Station - Halloween-themed arts and crafts (Monday to Friday).
• The Boo-tique - dress up in a creepy costume and get into character.
• The Haunted Hideout - build a den for witches, vampires or werewolves.
• Witch's Workshop - brew magical potions, discover the witch's crystal ball and strike a spooky pose for photos.
• Pumpkin Patch Party - dance along to spooktacular tunes, including favourites such as the Monster Mash and Thriller.

Book your free ticket Pre-booking online 

25 October: Sunday Maker's Market

• Time: 11am and 3.30pm
• Location: Southsea Castle
• Cost: Free

Join Southsea Castle for its Sunday Makers Market, bringing together a brilliant mix of local designers, makers, and artists. Come and explore a selection handcrafted goods, unique gifts, and creative treasures. The Courtyard at Southsea Castle will be open all-day for brunch and Sunday roasts.

26 to 31 October: Haunted Highway 

• Time: 11am to 5pm
• Location: Gunwharf Quays
• Cost: Free

Famous vehicles from film and TV will roll into Gunwharf Quays this half term.

The free 'Haunted Highway' event brings legendary screen-inspired motors and Halloween fun to the waterfront destination, allowing families to step into the world of movie magic. From ghost-hunting wagons to mystery-solving vans and superhero rides! Get up close to legendary vehicles that have captivated audiences across generations. Who you gonna call?? Find out more at Visit Portsmouth

26 October: Portsmouth100 exhibition

• Time: 10am to 5pm
• Location: Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery
• Cost: Free 

Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery re-opens after a temporarily closure in preparation for a major new Portsmouth100 exhibition celebrating 100 years of Portsmouth as a city.

The exhibition explores Portsmouth’s first century as a city through the people, places, achievements and stories that have shaped it. Local communities have helped create the exhibition, making it a lasting legacy of Portsmouth100. Find out more at Portsmouth Museums website

28 October: We Are Portsmouth - A Community Arts Project

• Time: 6pm to 7pm
• Location: The Greenhouse, Victoria Park
• Cost: Free 

To celebrate 100 years of Portsmouth, Mindset Maintenance invite you to embrace your creativity in this uplifting session that allows you to connect with gratitude and joy for this city.

The sessions aim to create an individual postcard that captures a memory, a person, a place, or a hope for the future because your story matters. These individual postcards will be displayed publicly, creating a lasting, people-led portrait of Portsmouth in its centenary year.

There are 3 dates available; pick which one works for you. The session is repeated, so you only need to attend once. Book your FREE space.

28 October: Kids Halloween Wheeled Disco

• Time: 1pm to 3:45pm and 4pm to 6:45pm 
• Location: Pitt St. Skatepark
• Cost: Kids entry £7

Get down to Pitt Street Skatepark for a frightful halloween wheeled disco. Bring your chosen wheels, scooter, skates, skateboard, bike, wheelchair - anything goes. Prizes for best fancy dress. Face painting, sweets, hot food and drink. Find out more and book tickets 

1 to 15 November:  The Shape of a Spell

• Time: Wednesday - Sunday, 11am - 4pm
• Location: Aspex Portsmouth
• Cost: Pay what you can

More info at Visit Portsmouth 

4 November - Portsmouth100 fireworks spectacular

• Time: 4pm to 8pm
• Location: Southsea Common
• Cost: Free

Portsmouth's annual fireworks display returns to Southsea Common on Wednesday 4 November, with a special Portsmouth100 theme celebrating the city's centenary year.

The event opens at 4pm and will feature family entertainment, a night market, funfair rides, live performances and food stalls before a fireworks display set to music from across the last 100 years. The evening will finish at 8pm.

Plan your journey in advance and consider walking, cycling or using public transport where possible, as large crowds are expected. Read more about the Portsmouth100 fireworks spectacular

4, 11 November: Cooking on a budget 

• Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm
• Location: Northend baptist church 
• Cost: Free

Have fun learning to cook healthy meals and take home what you have cooked. Email IWT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to register your place.

5, 12, 19, 26 November: Roller Tots

• Time: 11am-12:45pm
• Location: Pitt Street Skatepark
• Cost: £7

5's and under skate session sponsored by micro scooters. Entry includes use of equipment and helmets.

19, 20, 21 November - We Shine festival of light

• Time: Various
• Location: Across Portsmouth
• Cost: Free 

Portsmouth is set to glow this November as We Shine Community brings three evenings of FREE light, art and performance to communities across the city. Visit the We Shine festival website for more details 

More events and activities are added every day – so check back soon. 

See a selection of fantastic low cost or free events and activities for families all year-round.

Around the World in 20 Trees – take a tree walk in Victoria Park and enjoy the 46 different types of tree there. Download or print out a factsheet and discover the stories of 20 of the most outstanding trees in the park

Adventure playgrounds – Adventure awaits 6-13 year olds at our six free adventure playgrounds. Every playground has a huge climbing structure designed to test agility, balance and imagination. Kids can also enjoy: splash pools, sports, sand pits, arts and crafts, cookery, games areas, wood workshops and more.

Eastney Beam Engine Houses – Free admission to both engine houses on the last Sunday of every month from 10am to 4pm (apart from August and December), and the Gas Engine House every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm. Get up close to these marvels of Victorian engineering.

Family Saturdays at Aspex Gallery – Free creative workshops suitable for the whole family. Explore a different creative activity each week, such as painting, model making, print making, and inventing in relaxed sessions suitable for all ages, interests and abilities. Drop in and take part any time from 11am to 1pm every Saturday!

Free swimming for under 12s in Portsmouth.

Goodgym – Get fit and do good at the same time by joining a group of local residents who run, walk, or cycle to help out community projects and older people in Portsmouth. Find out how you can get involved

Home-Start Portsmouth – Run free ‘Stay and Play’ groups for children (aged 0-5) and their families in family hubs. There are 12 sessions a week and spaces can be booked online.

Parkruns – Free, fun, and friendly, weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or just watch – it’s up to you! There are three to choose from in Portsmouth.

• Parkrun Lakeside
• Parkrun Great Salterns
• Parkrun Southsea

Pompey Tots at Portsmouth Cathedral – A free, fun session for 0-4-year-olds every Wednesday at 2pm.

Portsmouth Libraries – Free events throughout the week for children and adults all year round and this October Half-Term, there’s a bumper program of free, drop-in activities for the youngsters. Local libraries are also welcoming spaces to go and read books, get online with free WiFi and stay warm.

Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery – Free entry, take a walk through Portsmouth’s heritage, discover the world of Sherlock Holmes, see fascinating works of art, trace the history of Portsmouth FC and more.

Portsmouth Natural History Museum – Free entry to Cumberland House where you can take a walk through the A-Z of Natural History, get up close with a huge dinosaur, and visit the wonderful Butterfly House. Open Tuesday to Sunday.

Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson – Free entry, but it’s £3 to park. There’s normally events on during the school holidays.

Find opening times and details of events and activities at all Portsmouth museums

Rambler’s Wellbeing Walks. Walking is free and can have a positive impact on physical and mental health. Join one of our volunteer-led walks in Portsmouth. They are a great way to meet people and improve wellbeing. There are some great incentives too, including a Wellbeing Walks water bottle, 15% Discount at Millets and more.

Ship-spotting is a great free activity to do throughout the year, with lots of different ferries, cruise ships and cargo ships sailing to and from Portsmouth International Port. Check out the arrivals and departures on the port website to see what is coming and going. You can also look at the cruise schedule and the Portico vessel planner to check what’s happening in the future.

Southsea Castle – This historical attraction is free of charge and is open between April and October each year. The courtyard is open year-round. Visitors can explore the keep, enjoy panoramic views to the Isle of Wight and Solent, and enjoy a bite to eat in The Courtyard.

The Parenting Network run a variety of free groups for families, including stay and play social groups for parents and their children.

Social activities and groups for adults – Are you looking to join a new activity, make friends and explore your area? The council runs a variety of social activities and groups for adults across the city. There’s something for everyone – including walking, reading, knitting, gardening cookery, and culture and faith groups. As well as taking part, there are also opportunities to volunteer and help run the sessions.

Community centres in Portsmouth. Your local community centre might surprise you. Find a range of activities from fitness to fine art.

Gardening clubs – Grow your own food and make friends with like-minded people in the fresh air:

• Milton Piece Community Allotment – off Locksway Road, Milton (opposite entrance to The Orchards)
  • Adult learning disabilities gardening group – Mondays 10am to 12pm
  • Community gardening club – Mondays 12:30pm to 2:30pm. Wednesdays 9:30am to 2:30pm
     
• Treadgolds – Bishop Street, Portsea
  • Community gardening club – Fridays 9.30am to 12pm
     
• Landport Grow Zone (Ethnic Growing Group) – Fyning Street, Landport
  • Community gardening club drop-in session – Mondays 12.30pm to 2:30pm

For more information about gardening clubs:

• email iwt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
• phone 023 9284 1762
• phone 07984 154 466