Victorious Festival 2022 - Things to know before you go

The August bank holiday weekend is nearly upon us - and in Portsmouth that means it's nearly time for Victorious Festival! Once again Southsea Common will be taken over by the event, bringing live music, comedy, family entertainment and a whole load more to the seafront.

Of course, having such a large-scale event taking place right in the heart of Southsea during a busy weekend means there's a little extra to consider, whether you're going to the festival or just visiting the area. So here's all the key info you need ahead of your trip to Portsmouth this bank holiday weekend.

   

Victorious Festival site

The festival takes up the majority of Southsea Common, from the area south of Duisburg Way (used for car parking), right the way along to the Pyramids Centre. This means that a number of attractions also fall within the festival site, among them Southsea Castle (used for the Champagne Bar), The D-Day Story (closed on Friday and open to festival ticket holders only on Saturday and Sunday), and Southsea Skatepark (which hosts displays and roller discos all through the event).

Southsea Splash Pool also falls within the site so will be closed to the public from 25-31 August, but will be open to festival ticket holders on the Saturday and Sunday. The beach volleyball courts will also be open to festival ticketholders on Saturday and Sunday, but closed to the public from 25-30 August.

These attractions will re-open as usual on the Bank Holiday Monday, so if you want to visit them outside of the festival then that's the day to do it.

If you want to get out into open grassland during the festival there are plenty of others to choose from, including Canoe Lake, Bransbury Park, Milton Park and Milton Common. There's also the seafront, which remains open and accessible (notwithstanding the Coastal Defence Works ongoing at certain areas).

It's also worth noting that Victorious Festival runs offsite camping at Farlington Fields to the north of the city, meaning this area will also be out of bounds during the bank holiday weekend.

   

Road closures

Certain roads also fall within the festival site, meaning they'll be out of action for the duration (among them Avenue de Caen and much of Clarence Esplanade). There are many other roads impacted, though often only at specific times when regulations come into place. For the full list, head to the Portsmouth City Council website.

Perhaps the biggest temporary closures involve those just as the headliners are wrapping up - to allow festivalgoers to vacate the site quickly and easily. Per the map below, many streets south of Kent Road and Clarendon Road will be closed from around 10.30pm to midnight, across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A recommended diversion route is also highlighted.

   

Other attractions open as usual

Of course, Victorious Festival isn't all there is to do down at the seafront this Bank Holiday. All the other attractions outside the festival grounds remain open as usual.

Both Clarence Pier and South Parade Pier will be open, so you can try your hand at the arcade games, ride on the funfair or grab something to eat overlooking the water.

The Blue Reef Aquarium will also be open for undersea adventures. It's an ideal place to take the whole family come rain or shine, with its outdoor splash area adding even more to your visit. There's also chance to burn off some energy at Exploria inside Portsmouth Pyramids. The play park offers different zones for all ages, to ensure everything is safe and fun.

There's plenty to eat and drink on the water's edge, too. As well as the food outlets in and around the piers, you can also enjoy warm food and cold drinks at The Beach Club, Southsea Beach Café, Coffee Cup, not to mention the countless others across Southsea, open all weekend.

See our dedicated page for more info on the seafront attractions open all weekend this August Bank Holiday.

   

Elsewhere in Portsmouth

If you're visiting Portsmouth but want to give the festival area a bit of a wide berth this weekend then fear not, there's still plenty you can do in and around the city. For example, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and The Mary Rose will be open throughout - not just offering a chance to see some world-renowned ships but also hosting a series of events, trails and activities for the kids, too.

If retail therapy is more your thing, Gunwharf Quays is the place to go. There are more than 90 outlet stores, not to mention over 30 bars, clubs, pubs, restaurants and coffee shops, as well as a bowling alley, multiplex cinema and contemporary art gallery. It's also home to the Spinnaker Tower, which offers unrivalled views out across Portsmouth and the Solent - a real must-visit.

As ever, we'll be sharing updates on our social channels throughout the weekend, as well as a glimpse into Victorious Festival itself. So if you're visiting, be sure to follow Visit Portsmouth on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the details. You can also find the answers to all your Victorious Festival-related queries on the official website.