Christmas in Portsmouth

About Christmas in Portsmouth

By the ULTIMATE Brighton Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Portsmouth celebrates Christmas as a naval city: carols in the cathedral of the sailors’ town, a pantomime at the Edwardian Kings Theatre in Southsea, Christmas shopping at Gunwharf Quays and a day among the great ships of the Historic Dockyard. In 2026 the Kings panto is Jack and the Beanstalk, from 5 to 31 December, and the cathedral’s carol services are on 20, 22, 23 and 24 December.

Portsmouth has a winter character all its own. The wind comes off the Solent, the ferries come and go to the Isle of Wight, and the city’s churches, theatres and dockyard put on their seasonal best.

The Pompey Panto

The Kings Theatre in Southsea calls its pantomime the Pompey Panto. In 2026 it is Jack and the Beanstalk, from Saturday 5 to Thursday 31 December. Jack Edwards returns for his twelfth Kings panto as Dame Trott, and also directs; Shaun Williamson is back as the villain Fleshcreep, and Sean Smith plays Jack. Late-night adult performances are listed separately.

Book the cathedral carols and the panto, and give a December morning to the ships.

Carols at the cathedral

Portsmouth Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury in Old Portsmouth, publishes a full Advent and Christmas programme. In 2026 it begins with the Advent Carol Service, From Darkness to Light, on Sunday 29 November at 5.45pm. The Christmas Carol Services are at 6.30pm on Sunday 20, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December, and on Christmas Eve at 6.30pm, with the blessing of the crib. Crib services for families are at 3pm and 4pm on Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass begins at 11pm, and on Christmas Day the Eucharist is at 11am. Selected services are live-streamed.

Skating and markets

In recent winters an ice rink under a clear canopy, Portsmouth on Ice, has been set up in Guildhall Square in front of the Guildhall, and Gunwharf Quays by the harbour dresses for Christmas. Visit Portsmouth gathers the season’s craft markets, carol concerts and pantomimes on its Christmas page as they are announced.

Christmas by the harbour

December is a good month for the Historic Dockyard: the crowds of summer are gone, and the Mary Rose Museum and the decks of HMS Victory are as absorbing in winter as at any time of year. Climb the Spinnaker Tower at dusk for the lights of the harbour, or cross to Gosport on the ferry.

Our advice: Portsmouth is about 90 minutes from Brighton on the coastway trains; stay overnight in Old Portsmouth or Southsea and walk to the cathedral for an evening carol service.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Christmas in Portsmouth before you go.