Top Events for 2019

2019 is already looking jam-packed with events and things to do. In addition to some of the city's big annual events, there's also a whole host of new, one-off and special happenings being organised throughout the year.

The most exciting of these is the D-Day 75 commemorations. There's a plan currently being finalised that will see a series of events take place across Portsmouth from June 5-9, as we've been nominated as the centre for anniversary commemorations in the UK. Keep your eyes on the Visit Portsmouth website for updates as and when they're confirmed.

Elsewhere, Victorious Festival makes a welcome return to Southsea Common, featuring the best in live music from the UK and beyond. The first wave of acts features 2 Tone legends The Specials, singer songwriter James Bay and chart-topping pop sensation Clean Bandit. A great many more are expected to be announced over the coming months. There will also be its extensive family area, featuring interactive entertainment, fairground rides and a whole load more.

August will also see the Kite Festival return to Southsea, with displays from expert fliers from across the world. Just a couple of months later, the nation's eyes will again turn to Portsmouth, as we host the world's premier 10-mile running event, the Great South Run. Every year, thousands of athletes take to the city streets for the flat, fast course that takes in sea views, the regency of Old Portsmouth and a jaunt around Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Our venerated venues and theatres will also welcome a diverse array of TV stars and big names throughout the year. Among them will be musicians The Script, Richard Ashcroft, Leo Sayer, Michael Ball and more. There will also be dance from the Strictly professionals in a number of different performances, and side-splitting comedy from Rhod Gilbert, David O'Doherty, Tim Minchin and Josh Widdicombe.

Keep an eye on this page throughout the year for event updates, or check the full monthly listings for all the most detailed, up-to-date information.

February

• Charles Dickens' Birthday
• Chinese New Year at Gunwharf Quays
• David O'Doherty - You Have To Laugh
• Portsmouth Coastal Half Marathon
• Guildhall Games Fest
• Portsmouth BookFest
• Circus of Horrors
• Airfix Extravaganza
• BBC Big Band

March

• Portsmouth Big Mouth Comedy Festival
• Jason Manford: Muddle Class
• Brit Floyd: Another Brick in the Wall
• Mike and the Mechanics

April

• Portsmouth Tattoo Fest
• Railway Children
• Paul Merton's Impro Chums

May

• Portsmouth Comic Con
• Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals
• Lord Mayor's Rural and Seaside Show

June

• D-Day 75 Commemorative Events
• The Cocktail Festival
• Portsmouth Festivities 2019
• Rhod Gilbert
• Seafood Festival

July

• Southsea Food Festival
• Pretty Muddy
• Race for Life

August

• Victorious Festival 2019
• International Kite Festival
• Beach Dubbin

September

• Charmed Life Festival

October

• Great South Run
• Oktoberfest

November

• Victorian Festival of Christmas
• Ice Skate Portsmouth
• Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade

December

• Portsmouth Coastal Marathon