New Post

Good morning, Pompey!

It’s graduation week at the Uni, so Pompey feels especially full at the moment. Full of fresh-faced soon-to-be graduates, proud friends & families, and plenty of foot and car traffic around Guildhall. I popped into the Guildhall Auditorium on Tuesday to celebrate a friend who just finished his PhD, and it was a proper throwback, making me remember my own walk across that stage not too long ago!

While the city’s in celebration mode, there’s plenty else going on too, from the return of old schemes, to new restaurants opening, to live events, and a few things you might’ve missed.

In today’s scoop:

• Portsmouth International Kite Festival back on the Common

• Family voucher scheme reopens

• Ready, set, go, Get Active events announced

Right, let’s get into it!

In this week’s news:

The City Council has announced the return of its Get Active events for August! after taking a year off. These free, family-friendly events return to parks across Pompey, with cycling obstacle courses, face painting, giveaways, and even up to 50% off second-hand bikes. There’ll be free cycling lessons, safety checks, and the chance to win a brand-new bike. It’s all about getting outdoors and exploring Portsmouth by foot or bike, no car needed. Events run 11am–2pm on select dates in August at parks in Southsea, Baffins, Hilsea and Paulsgrove. See dates and times here

Portsmouth’s family voucher scheme is back for low-income households with kids aged 0–19 (or pregnant 20+ weeks) who don’t already qualify through school. Applications close 25 September at noon, but could shut early if funding runs out. Plus, HAF Fun Pompey is live too (free food and activities for children on benefits-related free school meals), and the council’s Exceptional Hardship Scheme is also reopening soon for those facing serious financial difficulty. More info about both the voucher and hardship scheme here & HAF Fun Pompey here

Look up Pompey! The International Kite Festival is back on the Southsea Common this weekend on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27, from 10am to 5pm each day. Because of the sea defense works currently going on, the event site will be slightly smaller than in previous years but still expect stunning kite displays, live music, fairground rides, local stalls, food, and even a model balloon arena! It’s free to attend and is packed with fun for all ages.

🗓️Things To Do

Friday, 25th

Writing Workshops with William Sutton | New Theatre Royal | 2:00pm | More info here

Gosport Waterfront Festival | Walpole Park | 5:30pm | More info here

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change | The Barn Studio Theatre | 7:30pm | More info here

Timeless R&B | Go Rogue, Southsea | 10:00pm | More info here

Saturday, 26th

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change | The Barn Studio Theatre | 2:30 & 7:30pm | More info here

tempo x Riddle: OPEN AIR | Pitt St. Skatepark | 3:00pm | More info here

Polymer Clay Earring Workshop | Hotwalls Studio | 3:00pm | More info here

MPSK8 Havant Roller Disco | Horizon Havant | 6:00pm | More info here

Sunday, 27th

July Summer Service | Deeper Life Bible Church, Buckland | 10:00am | More info here

Southsea Castle Makers Market | Southsea Castle | 11:00am | More info here

Sunday Sessions | Queens Hotel | 12:00pm | More info here

Sunset Sundays | Spinnaker Tower Sky Bar | 7:00pm - Multiple dates | More info here

Monday, 28th

Portsmouth Psychic Night | The Village Hotel | 7:00pm | More info here

Monday Night Football Outside | Priory School, Southsea | 9:00pm | More info here

Tuesday, 29th

Hovertravel Behind-the-Scenes Tour | Hovertravel Portsmouth & Ryde | 3:00pm | More info here

Wednesday, 30th

Stretch & Relax | Victoria Park | 10:00am | More info here

PT in the Park (with BH Live) | Victoria Park | 5:00pm | More info here

Polymer Clay Earring Workshop | Hotwalls Studio | 6:00pm | More info here

Dan Steven’s Roast Battle | Wedgewood Rooms | 8:00pm | More info here

Thursday, 31st

Portsmouth Fringe Festival 2025 | Wedgewood Rooms | Thurs 31st, 7:00pm | More info here

Psychic Sally | Kings Theatre | 7:30pm | More info here

Connection Indie Night | The Dockyard | 9:30pm | More info here

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Things To Do - with Kids

Friday, 25th

Bring it On - Musical | Kings Theatre | Multiple dates and Times | More info here

Roller Disco | Pitt St. Skatepark | 7:00pm | More info here

Saturday, 26th

Family Session (Under 16) | Pitt St. Skatepark | 10:00am | More info here

Portsmouth International Kite Festival | Southsea Common | 10:00am | More info here

Pontoon Open Day | Victory Gate, HM Naval Base | 10:00am | More info here

Summer Fun at Fort Nelson | Royal Armouries - Fort Nelson | Multiple dates - 10:30am | More info here

Live at the Bandstand | International Kite Festival - Southsea Common | 1:00pm | More info here

Summer on the Southside | Portsmouth Cathedral | 1:00pm | More info here

Beaded Necklace Workshop | Hotwalls Studio | 3:00pm | More info here

Sunday, 27th

Early Bird Beginners | Pitt St. Skatepark | 8:00am | More info here

Portsmouth International Kite Festival | Southsea Common | 10:00am | More info here

Pontoon Open Day | Victory Gate, HM Naval Base | 10:00am | More info here

Eastney Engine Houses Open Day | Eastney Engine Houses | 10:00am | More info here

July Summer Service | Deeper Life Bible Church, Buckland | 10:00am | More info here

Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving | Gunwharf Quays | 10:45am | More info here

Southsea Castle Makers Market | Southsea Castle | 11:00am | More info here

Sunday Sessions | Queens Hotel | 12:00pm | More info here

Live at the Bandstand | International Kite Festival - Southsea Common | 1:00pm | More info here

Monday, 28th

Historical Sail Making on Victory Live: The Big Repair | HM Naval Base | Multiple dates - 11:00am | More info here

Girls Night | Pitt St. Skatepark | 7:00pm | More info here

Tuesday, 29th

Summer Fun at Fort Nelson | Fort Nelson | Multiple dates - 10:30am | More info here

Roller Tots | Pitt St. Skatepark | 11:00am | More info here

Hovertravel Behind-the-Scenes Tour | Hovertravel Portsmouth & Ryde | 3:00pm | More info here

Wednesday, 30th

Build the Big Blue (LEGO) | Portsmouth Historic Dockyard | 10:00am | More info here

Teamwork - Pioneers at the Mary Rose | The Mary Rose | 11:00am | More info here

Scenic Solent Cruises - Three Forts Cruise | South Street, Gosport | 12:00pm | More info here

Students Session | Pitt St. Skatepark | 1:00pm | More info here

Kids Wheeled Disco | Pitt St. Skatepark | 4:00pm | More info here

Thursday, 31st

Galleon Andalucia | Gunwharf Quays | 10:00am - Multiple dates & Times | More info here

Visit Royal Armouries | Fort Nelson | 10:00am | More info here

Build the Big Blue (LEGO) | Portsmouth Historic Dockyard | 10:00am | More info here

Loot Crates Summer Half Term Laser Tag | Waterlooville | 1:30pm - Multiple dates | More info here

Kids Wheeled Disco | Pitt St. Skatepark | 4:00pm | More info here

🎭Live Events

😂Comedy @ The Fort | Portsmouth Distillery, Fort Cumberland | Fri 25th, 6:00pm | More info here

🎙Robb Johnson & The Irregulars | Wedgewood Rooms | Fri 25th, 7:30pm | More info here

😂I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change | The Barn Studio Theatre | Saturday 26th, 2:30 & 7:30pm | More info here

🎙Bugsy Malone - Musical | New Theatre Royal | Saturday 26th, 2:00pm | More info here

🎙The Duds (20th Anniversary Show) | Wedgewood Rooms | Sat 26th, 7:30pm | More info here

😂A Bad Taste Show | Wedgewood Rooms | Sun 27th, 7:30pm | More info here

🎙GTTF Xtra | Southsea Sound | Monday 28th, 7:00pm | More info here

Spotted in Pompey!

Spotted something fun in Pompey? Event snaps, fun moments, local legends doing there thing? Send a photo or quick note and you could be featured in a future issue!

Just hit reply and tell us what you saw, who you saw, or where you’ve been in Pompey this week!

Tag us on Facebook (Pompey Scoop) and Instagram (@pompeyscoop) with #SpottedInPompey

There’s a new spot to check out on Palmerston Road!

Casa La Siesta opened earlier this month on Palmerston Road, where Mangosteen used to be. They’re serving up bold authentic Spanish tapas, sizzling paella, and laid-back vibes. Perfect for first dates, make-up dates and everything in between. It’s a true taste of Spain right here in Pompey. See more here

Weather

Today 🌧21°/16°

Friday 🌤26°/15°

Saturday ☁24°/16°

Sunday 🌤23°/14°

Thank you for reading Pompey Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone: a friend, a colleague, or a fellow parent. Someone, anyone local to or visiting our lovely Pompey!

Programming note: The Scoop will be taking a break next week, because even bloggers need a vacation too!

But let’s do this again the week after!

P.S: We’ve tried to verify every link here, but if a link is broken or you’re having difficulty accessing any of the links, please reply to this email, and we’ll sort it for you.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here