November’s here! Find our 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 November – Fireworks display – 5pm to 7.30pm – There will be two fireworks displays this year, both at the same time with one on Southsea Common and the other at Alexandra Park, Hilsea. Fireworks display at 7pm.
4 and 5 November – Makers Market at Round Tower, Old Portsmouth – 10am to 4pm. Wessex Guild of Craftsmen bring you their own makers market with artisan pottery, jewellery, upcycled sculptures and much more.
4 and 5 November – Love Southsea Market – Palmerston Road, Southsea. Fantastic market with street food traders offering street food from around the world and talented creatives selling unique items.
- Saturday, 9am to 5pm
- Sunday, 9am to 4pm
11 and 25 November– ‘Mrs Blossom Makes’ family craft club. There are three 45 minute sessions on each day – £1 to £2 per child.
- Penguin Art – Create cool penguin collages using mix media. Book your tickets for Saturday, 11 November
- Christmas Elf and Fairy Doors – Make sure you and your little ones are ready for a visit from your friendly Festive Fairy or Elf this Christmas. Design and paint your own magical little doors to help your Christmas Fairy or Elf travel to and from the North Pole during December. Book your tickets for Saturday, 25 November
11 and 12 November – Remembrance weekend at Fort Nelson Remembrance service, gun firing and special theatre performances. Admission to the museum and the theatre performances are FREE but tickets need to be booked in advance at royalarmouries.org
11 November to 31 December – Gunwharf Quays Christmas Village. The full 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.
12 November – Port Solent waterside market – 11am to 5pm. Held on the second Sunday of the month from April until November, it’s home to over 50 stalls selling fresh produce, artisanal food products and handmade crafts and gifts. You could pick up a bargain or just go for a wander.
12 and 26 November – Sunday car meets at Port Solent – 10am to 12pm. See classic cars, sports cars, or something more unusual, you’re sure to find others with similar interests at these meets.
16, 23 and 30 November – Christmas light switch-on parties – 5pm to 7pm. FREE fun for all the family! The countdown to Christmas begins with high street Christmas Light Switch On parties hosted by Wave 105’s Mark Collins, each party features stars from the city’s Christmas shows alongside a special appearance of Father Christmas and a snowflake finale.
- City centre, Commercial Road – Thursday, 16 November, 5pm to 7pm with Portsmouth Christmas Market
- Southsea, Palmerston Road – Thursday, 23 November, 5pm to 7pm with Love Southsea Christmas Market
- Cosham, High Street – Thursday, 30 November, 5pm to 7pm
16 November to 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.
18 November – Love Southsea Market – 9am to 5pm – Palmerston Road, Southsea. Fantastic market with street food traders offering eats from around the world and talented creatives selling unique items, that make great Christmas gifts.
19 November – Hotwalls Open Studios with artist Rebecca Hurst – 11am to 4pm. Hotwalls Studios bring artists and designer makers together in a historical location. Come and watch them work on the third Sunday of every month.
19 November – Hampshire Farmers’ Market – 10am to 2pm – Palmerston Road. These markets bring beautiful, fresh local produce to Portsmouth every month.
23 November – Love Southsea Christmas Market – 5pm to 7pm – Palmerston Road, Southsea. Watch the Christmas light switch-on and enjoy this fantastic market with street food traders and talented creatives selling unique items that make great Christmas gifts.
24 to 26 November – Exhibition ‘Foraged and Found’ at Hotwalls Studios – 10am to 4pm. Join ceramic Artist Hollie Thornley in her debut solo show; An exploration of the abundance of materials at our disposal which often go unnoticed; natural and discarded treasure.
25 and 26 November – Love Southsea indoor market at Boathouse no.5, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. As well as all the incredible local makers and creators that make Love Southsea Markets so special, Curtain Call Productions will also be on hand with a full-weekend program of entertainment for all the family. This market is FREE entry via the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard main gate.
November through to 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.