Portsmouth has a packed calendar of events throughout the year, which draws visitors from across the country and beyond.
From the historic Spinnaker Tower lighting up for a summer spectacular to the buzzing atmosphere of Portsmouth Oktoberfest, there’s nearly always something going on worth making the trip for.
The downside is that the local hotels and B&Bs fill up fast during these periods, and prices tend to rise as availability drops. If you’ve left it late, your options can feel pretty limited.
Serviced accommodation in Portsmouth is a great alternative. It gives you a proper base to come back to after a long day, somewhere quiet and comfortable away from the noise, where you can put your feet up and eat and drink at your own pace. There’s no hotel bar kicking out at 11pm or a restaurant you have to book two weeks in advance.
Depending on your group size and budget, you can book a single room or take an entire property for yourselves, which is great if you’re travelling with friends or family.
This blog covers some of the biggest events in the Portsmouth calendar, so you can start planning your stay.
Why book early for Portsmouth events?
Popular event weekends in Portsmouth get busy quickly, and accommodation is often the first thing to go. The longer you leave it, the narrower your choices become, and prices tend to climb as well.
Booking ahead means you’ll have the widest selection of properties, rooms and price points to choose from. You’re far more likely to find something that suits your group, your budget and your preferred location, rather than having to settle for whatever’s left.
At Portsmouth Stays, many of our properties can be booked by the room, so if you want everyone under one roof, it’s worth securing multiple rooms sooner rather than later.
If you’ve already got a date in the diary, that’s your cue to start looking at accommodation, the earlier the better.
Where to stay for our most popular events
Portsmouth’s events calendar has something to suit most tastes, whether you’re into history, music, food or just a good day out by the water. Below, we’ve pulled together some of the city’s most popular events, along with a bit of detail on where to stay and what to expect when you visit.
Victorious Festival
Victorious Festival is one of the South Coast’s biggest music festivals and sees people descending on Portsmouth every year to catch the lineup of famous faces across the weekend. Richard Ashcroft, the Black Keys and Kasabian are headlining this year.
While offsite camping is available, many festivalgoers opt for a more comfortable alternative, staying in hotels or serviced accommodation, like the rooms offered by Portsmouth Stays.
Southsea is a great area to choose due to its proximity to the festival, but regular transport links from Portsmouth city centre mean that you can get access from across the city.
Serviced accommodation gives you the space to recover after a long day at the festival and the option to eat at home rather than pay festival prices for food. It’s a great option if you’re travelling as a group and want a shared space to enjoy together.
Portsmouth International Kite Festival
Portsmouth International Kite Festival is an annual event, taking place across two days on the seafront in Portsmouth. It’s a great, family-friendly atmosphere in an open space where children and adults alike can enjoy a weekend of fun.
Again, the action takes place in Southsea, but there are plenty of places to stay across the city with public transport options to get you to Southsea Common. As this event is popular with children, many families opt for serviced accommodation to allow for the extra space, additional bedrooms and self-catering options.
Great South Run
The Great South Run takes place over a weekend, with 5k and 10k races taking in all of Portsmouth’s most famous sights. It’s always a popular event, attracting runners from across the UK. With friends and family in tow to offer support, this is a busy weekend in the city.
Southsea and the seafront are the key areas to find accommodation for this race. It’s worth bearing in mind that the race will bring road closures, so planning your route to the start line ahead of time is vital, as you may not be able to rely on taxis on the day.
With the big race day ahead, you’ll want to make sure you’re well-fed and ready to run. Self-catering offers a great opportunity to ensure you have access to all the food you want and need to ensure you’re at your best on the day.
Serviced accommodation is also great for staying with friends and family who have come to cheer on loved ones, with everyone staying together in one location.
Oktoberfest Portsmouth
Portsmouth is home to the UK’s largest Oktoberfest, and if you’ve never been, it’s quite the spectacle. Taking inspiration from the world-famous Munich original, where millions of visitors descend each autumn for beer, Bavarian food and folk music, this event brings that same atmosphere to the Guildhall. Giant festival tables, steins of beer, live entertainment and a crowd that’s firmly in the spirit of things make it one of the most enjoyable weekends in Portsmouth’s calendar. It’s been running since 2016 and has grown considerably since those early days, with sell-out sessions becoming the norm. If you’re planning to go, booking your serviced accommodation early is essential. This one fills up fast, and staying close to the venue means you won’t have far to crawl at the end of the night.
Christmas in Portsmouth
Why not enjoy a bit of Christmas magic in Portsmouth?
From the twinkling lights of Christmas markets and events to the smooth glide of the ice rink, there’s something special about Christmas in Portsmouth.
If you love the hustle and bustle, a room in the city centre means you can step out of your door straight into the festivities. Otherwise, you can stay in one of the more residential areas for a quieter evening in.
Serviced accommodation offers flexibility in location as well as plenty of space to keep all your bags after a day of Christmas shopping at Gunwharf Quays. It gives you a warm, cosy retreat to relax in after a day of festive fun.
Historic Dockyard events and seasonal activities
The Historic Dockyard offers events all year round, including special exhibitions, workshops and tours, as well as challenges and seasonal activities.
Many of these attract families with children, especially during school holidays, so accommodation can be more limited at these times and booking early is a must.
Serviced accommodation near the city centre and harbour areas will make sure you’re ideally located for these visits.
Stay in Portsmouth for your next big weekend
There are so many reasons to include a visit to Portsmouth in your calendar this year, and these events are even better when you have a comfortable base to come home to. Why not explore Portsmouth Stays’ range of serviced accommodation options for your next visit?