The Portsmouth Festivities is an inspiring ten day annual arts festival presenting a diverse programme of events appealing to all sectors of the community, celebrating Portsmouth’s history and heritage, and providing opportunities for the community – with a focus on young people and children – to engage with the arts. Events feature professional artists, speakers and performers of international renown; a wide ranging programme of concerts and talks; free community events; education projects; exhibitions; and a platform for local performers.

Celebrating Victorians – Age of Wonder, the 10 day programme of 70 events, features, concerts, talks, workshops and free events for all the family from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to Southsea Bandstand, the New Theatre Royal to Portsmouth Cathedral.

From Corsets to the Cosmos, Penny Farthings to Punch and Judy and from Mendelssohn to Mumbai, the 2010 Portsmouth Festivities will take you on a journey to Victorian Portsmouth and the world beyond. Inspired by the 150th anniversary of the building of HMS Warrior 1860, an 10 day programme of events will explore all aspects of Victorian life and culture, from the huge advances in industry and engineering to the opportunities for leisure and recreation.  With music from the Romantics to the music hall; discovery and exploration; science and engineering; literature and architecture, The Victorians – Age of Wonder will celebrate this extraordinary period which brought such enormous change to the face of Portsmouth.

For much more information on the whole festival please visit www.portsmouthfestivities.co.uk