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

1 September: Cycling Without Age Lion Hunt

• Time: 10am to 1pm
• Location: The Greenhouse, Victoria Park
• Cost: Free

There are 45 lions to find across Portsmouth during the Portsmouth100 anniversary. They have been decorated by local artists in themes that reflect the city's history and character. Join the hunt. Find out more on the Cycling Without Age Portsmouth and Hayling Island Facebook page

2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 September: Mindful Art

• Time: 10am to 1pm
• Location: The Greenhouse, Victoria Park
• Cost: Free

Take a midweek pause and join Think Big Do Bigger CIC for Mindful Art in the Park - gentle, creative sessions held every Wednesday (term time) in the beautiful Greenhouse at Victoria Park.

No experience needed - just come as you are.

2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 September: Stretch and Relax with Kat Waters

• Time: 10am 
• Location: The Greenhouse, Victoria Park
• Cost: Free

Stretch and Relax is open to all Portsmouth residents and offers a calming opportunity to unwind, breathe deeply, and enjoy the peaceful setting of Victoria Park. It’s an introduction to movement, relaxation, and connecting with the natural surroundings of the park. All abilities are welcome.

This is a pay as you can afford class, cash donations only on the day. Take your own mat or towel.

Contact the independence and wellbeing team for more information on 023 9284 1762 or email IWT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

3, 10, 17 and 24 September: Roller Tots - sponsored by MicroScooters

• Time: 11am to 12.45pm
• Location: Pitt Street skatepark
• Cost: £5

Pitt Street's 5's and under only session.

£5 gets you access the park, use of the equipment (scooters, balance bikes etc.) and safety gear. Parents/Guardians/Spectators go free but under 5's only allowed to skate. Cafe on site. 

4 September: Photography walk

• Time: 10am to 11am
• Location: Victoria Park. Meet at the fountain
• Cost: Free

Join the volunteer coordinator for a walk around the park and capture the seasonal changes on camera.

4, 11, 18 and 25 September: Roller Disco

• Time: 7pm to 10pm
• Location: Pitt Street skatepark
• Cost: Adults £10, Kids under15 £5

Legendary roller discos, featuring a new DJ every week. Fun for all the family.. All ages and abilities welcome

5 September: 999 Family Fun Day

• Time: 10am to 4pm
• Location: Port Solent car park
• Cost: Free 

Get up close to police cars, ambulances, fire engines and many more exciting emergency vehicles and meet the heroes serving on the emergency services' front lines.

5 September: S.A.L.T Festival (Suicide Awareness, Let's Talk)

• Time: 10am to 4pm
• Location: Victoria Park
• Cost: Free

S.A.L.T Festival (Suicide Awareness Let’s Talk) previously known as Let’s Get Talking About Suicide, is a free, family-friendly wellbeing day. Find out more on the S.A.L.T. website S.A.L.T Festival (Suicide Awareness Let’s Talk)

7, 14, 21 and 28 September: Wellbeing walks

• Time: 10am 
• Location: The Greenhouse, Victoria Park
• Cost: Free

Find out about the history of the park and take in the new developments. This is a wonderful walk to view the assortment of trees in the park and get your nature dose for the morning. This walk is slow paced and can be used as an introduction back to walking. There are lots of rest stops available. 

11, 12 and 13 September: Architects of Air - Luminarium

• Time: 10.15am to 11.15am
• Location: Victoria Park
• Cost: Free to Portsmouth residents, essential carers and under 16s

Step inside an extraordinary world of light, colour and architecture, where a breath taking maze of illuminated domes and winding passages creates an ever-changing sensory experience. Suitable for all ages. See more information and book your ticket on Eventbrite.

11 to 20 September: Heritage Open Days exhibition 

• Time: 10am to 5pm
• Location: Staunton Country Park, The Coach House
• Cost: Free 

Explore the working lives of people across the ages in a special exhibition going on display at Staunton Country Park.

12 September: Pompey Games free family event

• Time: 11am to 3pm
• Location: Mountbatten Leisure Centre
• Cost: Free

Seekers Create and BH Live are holding the inaugural Pompey Games, a spectacular, free family day out where you can play, doodle and celebrate. 

The Mountbatten Centre will be transformed (inside and out!) into the ultimate interactive playground. Grab a pen, lace up your trainers, and help turn the space into a massive, living piece of community art while you play! 

Plus, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) will be serving up free food to keep your family's energy soaring.

Get your free ticket on Eventbrite 

12 and 13 September: Portsmouth International Kit Festival

• Time: 10am to 5pm
• Location: Southsea Common
• Cost: Free

Portsmouth International Kite Festival returns to Southsea Common and will be a fun, free weekend of colour, creativity and entertainment for all ages.

As part of Portsmouth100, this year's festival will celebrate with a special theme of '100 Kites for 100 Years'. Expect kite making workshops, craft stalls, entertainment, music, food and drink - what's not to love?

12 and 13 September: Heritage Open Days at Fort Nelson

• Time: 10am to 1pm
• Location: Fort Nelson
• Cost: Free

Take a special behind the scenes tour of the West Tunnel, an area not normally open to the public. These free tours are part of the national Heritage Open Days festival. Find tour times and book your free ticket.

13 September: Rawkus City hip-hop festival

• Time: 10am to 5pm
• Location: Guildhall Square
• Cost: Free

Rawkus City is the only free festival on the south coast dedicated to hip-hop dance, music, arts and theatre. From 12 midday there will be breaking and open styles battles, open cyphers, live performances and drop-in workshops. Suitable for all ages. British sign language (BSL) is provided.

13 September: Bart's Bash annual fundraiser

• Time: 11am to 3pm
• Location: Andrew Simpson Centre, Kendall's Wharf
• Cost: Free entry but £5 per taster session

From 11:30am to 14:30pm there will be a Sailing Regatta. This is open to experienced sailors and complete beginners who can either sail their own boat or go in a helmed boat with an instructor. There will also be taster sessions in windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding throughout the day. Food from Rita's Pizza and Caravanilla (ice cream) 

The whole family are welcome and there will be games for all ages. Participants of the regatta or taster sessions must be 8 plus. 

To book into the sailing regatta, phone 023 9266 3873 or email portsmouth@andrewsimpsoncentres.org. Book a taster session via the Andrew Simpson centre website 

17 and 23 September: Family free play tennis

• Time:Sessions between 4pm to 6pm
• Location: Cosham Park, Portsmouth Road, Cosham 
• Cost: Free

Take the whole family along for a fun, relaxed tennis session at Cosham Park. Equipment is provided, and no experience necessary, making it easy for everyone to get involved. Find a free-play session at Cosham Park

18 September: Mini Museum Explorers autumn adventure

• Time: 10.15am to 11.15am
• Location: Portsmouth Natural History Museum’s garden (outdoor activities, weather permitting – indoor alternative available)
• Cost: Sessions are £3 per child or free with a leisure card. 

Life beneath the waves: Dive into the Solent’s marine life: Book your space by calling 023 9283 4779. 

19 September: Step back in time and experience the British Restaurant with Red Sauce Theatre

• Time: 11am and 2pm
• Location: The Greenhouse, Victoria Park
• Cost: Free

Immersive theatre performance in the Green House where visitors will learn about the British Restaurants in public spaces in WW2 and the public canteen which was in Victoria Park. Book your free ticket on Eventbrite 

20 September: 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

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