This year it’s the 10th year that Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is staging its Victorian Christmas festival, with a host of Victorian characters and entertainment and a huge Christmas market.
Step back in time to enjoy Christmas in Victorian times, with a Victorian Father Christmas – decked out in a traditional green outfit in his grotto on HMS Warrior (which dates from 1860).
This year there’s also an exhibition with Father Christmas models and toys on display in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
In the Victorian Street, there’ll be music and actors, traditional funfair rides and a nativity farm (with animals).
In Fagin’s Tavern you can enjoy a drink and a sing-a-long, then head for Actions Stations which is transformed into Theatre Victoriana.
Queen Victoria pays a visit in her beautiful horse drawn carriage, accompanied by her faithful servant John Brown and the Fort Cumberland Guard. And there’s even a Victorian schoolroom where you’d better be on your best behaviour for the strict teacher, Mr Bumbury.
Each day, there’s a parade of all the festival characters leading to a carol concert alongside HMS Victory.
Entrance tickets also include admission to the attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard; HMS Victory, Royal Naval Museum, HMS Warrior 1860, Mary Rose Museum and Action Stations. Tel: (023) 9283 9766; www.historicdockyard.co.uk.
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