ALL THE atmosphere and excitement of a bygone Christmas will transform Portsmouth Historic Dockyard this weekend (November 25 to 27).
More than 35,000 visitors are set to be captivated by the attraction’s annual Victorian Festival of Christmas, now one of the biggest festive events on the south coast.
It’s a sparkling, seasonal step back in time with a cast of colourful characters roaming the snow-covered cobbled streets, including a traditional Father Christmas dressed in green, Scrooge in his carry carriage, young chimney sweeps and magicians and musicians.
Fagin’s Tavern in the Spiegeltent, a lively real ale bar, returns alongside HMS Victory, with onstage merriment aplenty from entertainers The Edelweiss Bavarian Oompah Band, Old Sea Dogs, and Shep Wolley & the Ansome Sea Buoys.
And new for 2016 is an immersive character-driven walk-through experience where visitors will meet a darker side of Christmas in Victorian times. Parts of the dockyard have been turned into a Victorian-style street complete with coffin measures, ladies of the night, street urchins and market sellers.
Said the dockyard’s director of visitor experience John Rawlinson: “This is one of the biggest events in the run up to Christmas on the south coast, and every year just get better.
“It’s always such a popular event and it’s wonderful to see hundreds of people lining the streets getting into the festive spirit.”
Opening hours are 10am to 6pm. Tickets include entry to historic dockyard attractions including the new look Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and The National Museum of the Royal Navy.
For more information, and to book, visit www.christmasfestival.co.uk