The start of Summer has arrived and thank goodness for that! I love the Summer and I really think that Southsea comes alive during the warmer months.
Have a look at my highlights for this month which is only a snippet of all that is happening across the island.
Live at the Bandstand – Saturday the 1st of June and 2nd of June – Victoria Park
Live at the Bandstand actually starts on the bank holiday weekend on Castle Field but I want to focus on the live sessions at Victoria Park. After a great renovation at the park in the city centre, seeing it put to great use over this weekend will be nice.
What I love about this event is that it is free, you can just rock up with a chilled bottle of wine and a picnic, sit on the grass and meet friends there. It’s just lovely!
Saturday 1 June – An Afternoon of Original Acoustic Music with
The Alistair Goodwin Band, Omam Dawn, and Ed Goodale.
Sunday 2 June – The People’s Lounge Presents
Jazz in the Park with Southsea Groove Collective who I saw last Summer on the Castle Field and a great event to watch.
From Sword to Utah – 2nd/4th of June – Southsea Cinema – Southsea
Join Pompey Poetry Party at the Southsea Cinema as they step back in time with “From Sword to Utah.” A riveting exploration of archived poetry, writings, and diary excerpts from the heroes of the Normandy Landings.
Raw, poignant, and heartbreakingly real, these historical accounts will be interwoven with powerful performances by contemporary local poets. Experience the echoes of courage and resilience at Southsea Cinema & Arts Centre from June 2nd, 3:00-5:30pm, and June 4th, 6:00-8:30pm.
D-Day Commemorations 5th June/8th June – Southsea Common
If you didn’t get any of the limited tickets for the D-Day Commemorations on the 5th of June, don’t panic. Although King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William are confirmed to attend, there is going to be a huge wall around the site and you won’t actually see anything.
The event has a huge highlight and coverage throughout the day on the TV and you will be able to look out across the sky for the Red Arrows as they do a flypast.
What is exciting though is that Southsea’s Armed Forces Day on the Southsea Common will be on the 8th of June, which is free of charge and a great way to pay your respects to our Armed Forces. There will be another Red Arrows display across the Solent with military parades and vehicles. Live music will be happening, as well as lots of rides and fun things for all the family.
The Small Wonders Mini Print Exhibition by Omega Printmakers features 56 printmakers from the South of England. Experience a diverse collection of small-scale prints on display.
Each print tells a unique story in this exhibition and shows intricate works of all the printmakers involved in the exhibition.
Golden Touch Festival – 8th of June – Wedgewood Rooms
2024 marks the 5th anniversary of Golden Touch Festival, which has quickly become a standout event across Portsmouth and the South Coast Music Scene. Golden Touch was created to bridge the gap between independent artists and national touring talent and bring this to the forefront of the local scene. Since 2019, the Golden Touch team have played host to the likes of Cassia, Bears in Trees, Corella, The K’s, The Royston Club, Casey Lowry and more.
Tickets are £20 and last year it sold out before the event so make sure to grab a ticket!
The Queens Hotel – Summer Sunday Sessions – 16th June – 12pm onwards
The Summer Sunday sessions are back at the stunning hotel we all adore from the common. This free session allows you to enjoy the garden at the hotel and listen to some great live music.
Amba Tremain is a local singing hero and her voice just gives all the vibes so I can’t wait for this session. Tickets are not required but you are recommended to get there early to grab a seat. The benches are dotted around and are free but if you want to have soft seating areas of up to 8 people, these are prebooked through the hotel.
OUTSIDE OF SOUTHSEA
Southwick Revival – Sunday 8th/9th June – Southwick Village
This event gets bigger every year and is such a delight! Stepping outside of Southsea and going back in time sees a nostalgic event commemorating the D-Day Landings come alive. Featuring visits to the impressive Map Room at Southwick Park, and new for 2024 visits to Fort Southwick Tunnels, attendees can indulge in the sights and smells of 1940’s England whilst wandering through the Squires Paddock filled with a vintage fun fair, refuel on homemade cake from Ma Attwell’s tea room and marvel at the motorcade rumbling through the village!
Sunday sees a Lancaster fly by which will be fun!
Take a Cruise Over to Lymington From Gosport – 22nd June – Gosport
Step onboard a cruise to Lymington, a gorgeous Georgian market town and renowned sailing centre on the edge of the New Forest. Enjoy the ferry then have four hours ashore visiting local shops, restaurants and the traditional Lymington market on its High Street, before heading on back to Gosport. It is a whole day out and a great one for the whole family.
Art in the garden – Little Forest Land Art – 25th May until 8th June – North Boarhunt – Fareham
Join this year’s Art in the Garden 2024 with Little Forest Land Art starting from Saturday 25th May until 8th of June. With 20 exhibiting artists and makers, this is a perfect way to start Summer and the bank holiday.
With 3 acres of wild meadow and woodland path to explore and craft workshops too, It is a great day out stepping out of Southsea!
Opening Times: Wed – Fri 10am-4pm, Sat & Sun 10am-5pm�* Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The site is over at Trampers Lane, North Boarhunt, Fareham. No dogs are allowed here and children must be accompanied with an adult.
Featured Image – From Art in the Garden
