Countdown to Victorian Christmas!

In just 15 days, the largest Christmas festival on the south coast is set to return when Portsmouth Historic Dockyard welcomes back the ever-popular Victorian Festival of Christmas.

The festival is the perfect way to kick off seasonal celebrations. You will be transported to a bygone era where a cast of colourful characters roam the snow-covered cobbled streets. Rub shoulders with a medley of street entertainers, enjoy seasonal refreshments and browse over 150 stalls for perfect gift ideas.

Encounter the ever-popular traditional Father Christmas dressed in green, see Scrooge in his hand-drawn carriage, bump into young chimney sweeps, and enjoy street performances from Victorian magicians and musicians. To top it off, there will be a 35-foot Christmas tree alongside HMS Victory.

Historic parts of the dockyard will be transformed into a Victorian-style street, complete with coffin measurers, ladies of the night, street urchins, market sellers and many more. This year there is a brand new family trail with Vice Admiral Lord Nelson’s favourite jewel at the centre of an intriguing Sherlock Holmes-inspired whodunnit.

The lively real-ale Fagin’s Tavern returns with plenty of merriment this year as performances by The Edelweiss Bavarian Oompah Band, Old Sea Dogs, and Shep Woolley & the Ansome Sea Buoys, light up the stage.

Those planning ahead can purchase their tickets online: adult tickets (16-59) £16.00; child tickets (5-15, under 5s free) £14.00; senior and student tickets £15.50; family tickets (2 adults and up to 3 children) £46.00; disabled and carer tickets £12.50. Open 10am to 6pm between 1 – 3 December.

What’s more, event tickets include entry to all the attractions within the Historic Dockyard, including the new-look Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, HMS M.33, The National Museum of the Royal Navy, Boathouse 4 and Action Stations.

For further information and to book tickets, please visit:

www.christmasfestival.co.uk

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