December is here! Find a selection of fantastic, low-cost and FREE family-friendly activities and events, all in one place.
See all events (paid for and free), all year round at Visit Portsmouth
1 to 22 December – Christmas at Boathouse No.4, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Join Boathouse 4 for a whole host of festive activities!
Christmas activities for all the family including:
- Festive badge making (50p per badge).
- Design your own tree decoration (£1.50 per decoration).
- Christmas activity sheet (with a prize to be won at the end).
- Rope making (subject to availability).
Remember, Boathouse 4 is FREE to enter. Just ask for a Historic Quarter pass at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Visitor Centre.
2 and 3, 9 and 10, 16 and 17 December Love Southsea markets – Diverse traders offering everything from beautiful artwork, vintage clothing, candles to make your house smell divine, screen-printed T-shirts and bags, incredible photography featuring the wonderful surroundings of Portsmouth and Southsea, gorgeous gifts, homewares, jewellery, and more. Gifts to suit every pocket.
2 and 3 December – Staggeringly Good Christmas market is a family-friendly event which will be bursting with local, independent traders – including artists, crafts and music, plus foodie and boozy offerings! FREE
3 December – ‘From Darkness to light‘ an advent carol service at Portsmouth Cathedral. Free entry
8 December – Friday lates at Aspex Gallery. Enjoy art after dark and explore current exhibitions with music, immersive visual art and more. Tickets are pay what you can and range from £0-£8.
9 December – Carols on the Green – Wrap up warm and head to the green outside Portsmouth Cathedral to sing traditional Christmas carols with friends and family, accompanied by a brass band. FREE
9 and 10 December – We Create Market at former Dorothy Perkins store in Cascades. Full of local crafts and artisan gifts, the We Create Market is an opportunity to celebrate and shop Portsmouth’s independent designers, makers, and artists. FREE
9 and 10 December – Festival of Christmas at Port Solent – Explore more than 100 market stalls and enjoy live music from local bands and choirs, street entertainment and delicious food and drink. It’s the perfect festive day out to get you in the Christmas spirit. FREE
9 and 19 December – Family craft club with ‘Mrs Blossom makes’ Tickets from £1
- 9 December – Wool-wrapped reindeer Get your house ready for Christmas and make a wool-wrapped reindeer hanging decoration.
- 19 December – Giant gingerbread men and Christmas tree decor Get into the festive spirit with Mrs Blossom Makes and make your own giant gingerbread man and wooden Christmas tree decoration.
On now until 31 December – Gunwharf Quays Christmas Village is open every day at Gunwharf Quays Plaza, Sunday to Wednesday 10am to 7pm & Thursday to Saturday 10am to 8pm. No need to book, entry is FREE.
14 December – Berry Christmas! The Friends of Portsdown Hill host a festive guided walk exploring the berries on display in the early winter landscape. FREE. Wrap up warm.
16 to 23 December – The Christmas HAF Fun Pompey programme is free for benefits related free school meal families. See a full list of HAF funded activities
There is a fantastic range of activities and events including some for all the family. Visit Santa’s Grotto, go sailing, play in a 3×3 basketball tournament, panto visits, go ice skating and plenty more. There will be good, tasty food including some Christmas themed dinners and the odd festive treat!
To see a list of pay as you go options visit the HAF Pay As You Go page.
17 December – Hampshire Farmers’ Market at Palmerston Road, Southsea on the third Sunday of every month. The market brings beautiful, fresh local produce to fill your Christmas table.
Now until 30 December – Portsmouth Christmas Market – Commercial Road. Great gift ideas, festive goodies and treats such as German sausages and glühwein, Christmas stockings, tree decorations and plenty of places to relax and chill in a selection of great independent eateries around the city centre. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the market offers even more, including fresh produce, gift ideas, clothing and seasonal products for a great Christmas. Find out more about Portsmouth Christmas Market.
Now until 23 December – Art exhibition, ‘Structurally unsound’ by artist Ruth Petersen at The Aspex Gallery, Gunwharf Quays. Ruth is a textile artist who focuses on socio-political themes, coming from her experience living on The Ledbury Estate; four thirteen-storey council tower blocks in London. FREE entry.