Nestled along the picturesque marina, Port Solent is more than just a dining and leisure destination – throughout the year we host an array of free family-friendly events.
From regular Sunday waterside markets to annual highlights like Comic Con and the magical Festival of Christmas Markets, there’s always something new to discover.
Looking for new things to do with the kids during half term? Every Thursday during the school holidays there’s always something for little ones to enjoy, from disco parties to craft sessions.
To celebrate the late May Bank Holiday, we are hosting a Spring Fayre event on Saturday 24th May – think traditional games, and lots of fun entertainment!
Gaining in popularity each year, don’t miss our Comic Con event, held this year on Saturday 14th June – meet characters, browse collectibles and celebrate your favorite fandoms.
Across spring and summer regular events include Car Meet events on Thursdays and Sundays, and the popular Waterside Markets, with the chance to shop local crafts and produce.
Whether you’re a local looking for a great day out or visiting the Portsmouth area for the first time, Port Solent offers the perfect blend of relaxation, shopping and entertainment. With scenic marina views, a vibrant restaurant scene, and boutique-style shops, there’s always a reason to visit!
Stay up to date with upcoming events here, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
This Mother’s Day, make the special lady in your life feel extra special with a delicious meal by the marina at Port Solent.
Whether she loves a relaxed brunch, a long lunch or an elegant dinner, with over 15 bars and restaurants to choose from, there’s something to suit every taste.
Brunch and afternoon tea
Start the day with a leisurely brunch or indulge in afternoon tea.
Gracie-Ann’s Tea Room offers a charming, vintage-style setting with homemade cakes, delicate sandwiches and freshly brewed drinks. The Botanical brings a modern twist with brunch favourites, craft coffees and refreshing cocktails.
Whether Mum loves a classic afternoon tea or a stylish brunch, there’s a perfect spot to celebrate.
Laid-back lunch
For a casual yet delicious lunch, Wildwood’s stone-baked pizzas, fresh pasta and vibrant salads are all delicious and perfect for a relaxed meal with all the family. Look out for their ‘Monsters Menu’, offering a fixed-price two courses for little guests.
If mum loves classic pub favourites, The Sir Alec Rose, a Wetherspoon pub, offers hearty British dishes in a friendly setting.
Dinner by the Marina
Make the evening extra special with a meal at one of Port Solent’s fantastic dining spots.
O Sole Mio offers authentic Italian cuisine, from rich pasta dishes to fresh seafood. For a flavourful twist, Koh Thai serves up beautifully spiced Thai dishes in a stylish setting. And, if mum enjoys a fun and lively atmosphere, Rapscallions provides a unique pirate-themed experience with hearty food and an impressive selection of rums.
Whichever you choose, Port Solent is the perfect place to celebrate Mother’s Day with great food, stunning views and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Book your table at one of our places to eat and make this Mother’s Day one to remember!
Looking for a wellness boost? From beauty treatments to a workout – Port Solent offers more than just a picturesque waterfront, it’s a destination for self care.
Whether it’s a quick treatment, gym class or a full day of relaxation, our wide range of leisure and wellness spaces will leave you feeling refreshed and recharged. Here’s some of our highlights.
Beauty picks
Situated in the Trading Post is Tranquility is a new Japanese head spa located within Kilshaw & Co. Offering head spa and massage treatments. Japanese head spas have grown in popularity over the past few years – offering the ultimate relaxing treatments,hair care has never looked, or felt so good.
Lumina Wellness, offers skin renovation and anti-aging treatments that includes the non-surgical face lift, the CACI facial – providing tailored solutions for men and women of all ages. The salon also offers Japanese head spa treatments.
And, don’t forget your nails. Nails by Airisa offers classic manicure and pedicure treatments, along with gel extensions and polish.
Feel energised
For those who love to balance relaxation with movement, David Lloyd provides the perfect spot to wake up with a workout.
Facilities include a gym, spa, swimming pools, expert-led exercise classes and a kids club & crèche.
Self-care is not just for humans!
We can’t have a feature on wellness and not mention Bow Wows. The dog grooming spa and boutique offers the ultimate doggy pamper sessions, from a bath and brush to a full groom. Their boutique shop is irresistible for doggy accessories and treats.
Head outside!
Did you know the England Coast Path is near to Port Solent? Head on the path to Portchester and stop by Portchester Castle, the fortress that overlooks Portsmouth Harbour.
Ready for a wellness escape? Plan your visit today – find directions on our Getting Here page.
Our wonderful customers and community helped to raise over £1,1000 to support the Portsmouth Salvation Army’s local missions ahead of the Christmas holidays.
The annual carol concert, held on 18 December, welcomed our local community – coming together to enjoy festive songs in support of a great cause.
The Botanical, based at Port Solent, generously donated £330 from sales on the evening to the charity.
It’s been a month of festive cheer at Port Solent, with over 20,000 visitors attending our two-day Christmas market earlier in December.
Port Solent’s Lisa Fowler said: “We are truly grateful to the local community for their incredible support of our events and for being a part of the Christmas cheer at Port Solent.
“The weather didn’t keep people away from our festive Christmas market earlier this month, with thousands of people coming out across the weekend to support local, independent businesses from across the county.”
Mark on behalf of The Salvation Army Portsmouth adds: “Many people will not be aware of the huge need just a few short miles away from where we live, but the poverty our charity deals with daily is immense and unfortunately, continues to worsen.
“This year’s carols event held at Port Solent raised over £1,100, a great boost which will directly support people in the local community.
“The annual festive event is fast becoming a highlight of our Christmas calendar, growing in popularity each year.”
Events continue at Port Solent into the new year with the popular car meets on 12 and 26 January.
Treat yourself – and your family – to a day filled with festive fun at our brilliant Festival of Christmas!
Our popular Christmas event, on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December, will offer seasonal street entertainment and festive music, winter-warming food and drink – and more than 120 market stalls, all conveniently under cover, to help you do your Christmas shopping in style.
The Christmas market will offer an inspiring and uniquely handcrafted range of goods and gifts for you to find the perfect present for loved ones. There will be plenty of opportunities to make memorable moments on both days – and free parking all day too!
On Saturday 7th December, from 10am to 5pm, there will be performances from the Igloo Band and Choir, The Salvation Army Band, The Hill Brothers and Theatre Arts UK plus street entertainment from Small talk comedy elves, balloon modeller and the tallest Fairy on a Christmas tree!
On Sunday 8th December, from 10am to 4pm, don’t miss the fun with Hodman and Sally, along with musical entertainment from Sign 4 fun, Spinnaker chorus, The Pitch Pipers, Pompey Pluckers, The Fine Voice Choir and The Brass Holes.
Port Solent’s Lisa Fowler said: “Get into the Christmas spirit for our wonderful event. The Festival of Christmas is the perfect day out for families and friends to enjoy some festive entertainment and seasonal shopping.
“We’ve got more market stalls than ever this year making us the largest Christmas market in Portsmouth, all under cover so that visitors can relax and browse whatever the weather, situated along the Boardwalk, inside the Trading Post, and many more in our under-cinema car park.
“There’s so much to see and do at Port Solent – and when you get hungry or need a break, visit our fantastic restaurants and cafes.”
Plan your visit, more information on our Find Us page.
Little ghouls and boys are invited to dress up in their spookiest costumes and prepare to scare at our Halloween Kid’s Club this half term.
Do the monster mash at the Halloween disco sessions on Tuesday 29th October – at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Everyone is welcome at the fiendishly free party for fun and games!
Silly Scott will be conjuring up thrills and chills – and lots of laughs too – at his Spooktacular Magic Shows on Thursday 31st October at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm.
Youngsters can also enjoy the Creation Station’s Horribly Scary craft activities at Thursday’s Kid’s Club, from 11am to 4pm.
Port Solent’s Lisa Fowler said: “We’ve got lots of hair-raising Halloween fun for young visitors to Port Solent this October half term. Dress up in your Halloween fancy dress and dare to scare!
“Our brilliant Kids Clubs are totally free and there’s no need to book, just come along and have a wizard time!
“There’s so much to see and do at Port Solent for all the family – and don’t forget our fantastic restaurants and cafes. Please support them where possible during your visit by purchasing your food and drink on site – doing so helps us continue to put on these events for you free of charge.”
Port Solent is buzzing this summer with an exciting line-up of free events, including artisan markets, kids clubs, car meets and music event Totally Tributes.
Regular favourites include weekly car meets and a monthly artisan market located on the waterside. Adding extra fun this summer, on Saturday 27th July, we are hosting an afternoon of live music, paying tribute to some of the biggest legends across musical genres. Enjoy performances from top local tribute acts, including Forever Queen, Doing Elton and Supersonics.
Little visitors can join in the fun too. Throughout July and August, we are bringing back our popular Kids Clubs events, featuring magic shows, discos, craft sessions and birds of prey sessions as part of the fun activities planned.
Lisa Fowler, Events and Marketing Manager, said: “With our biggest line-up of free events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Port Solent this summer.”
“Alongside our popular car meets and markets, we’ve got live music events and a fun activities for children, and it’s all free! We’re excited to welcome lots of new visitors over the summer to enjoy our unique waterside location.”
For more details and to see the summer events line-up, sign up to our newsletter below and follow our social media channels.
We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s Port Solent Comic Con on June 8th, 2024, was a massive hit, with over 13,000 fans joining us for a day of unforgettable fun!
From 10 am to 5 pm, Port Solent transformed into a haven for pop culture enthusiasts, offering an array of attractions that delighted attendees of all ages. Highlights included the thrilling Jurassic Park Zone, where visitors came face-to-face with prehistoric giants, and the chance to meet Jedi Masters showcasing their lightsaber skills.
The Joker Squad added a touch of chaos to the event, while fans were thrilled to step inside the iconic DeLorean and see the Ecto-1s in action. And let’s not forget the ever-vigilant Ghostbusters, who not only safeguarded the convention from otherworldly dangers but also raised over £2,000 for Cancer Research UK!
What’s more, with free parking available, getting to the event was a breeze for everyone, making it even easier to join in the excitement.
Thank you to everyone who attended and made this year’s Comic Con the best one yet! Stay tuned for updates on future events—we can’t wait to see you all again next year for another incredible celebration of all things geeky and fantastic at Port Solent!
May the force be with you until then!
Klass, the popular women’s fashion retailer, opened a new store at Unit 26 The Boardwalk, Port Solent on June 1st 2024. This new location offers stylish and affordable clothing, enhancing the shopping experience for local residents.
The store operates Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Shoppers can explore a diverse range of trendy outfits and accessories, making Klass a must-visit destination for fashion enthusiasts.
For more information, visit https://www.klass.co.uk.