Commercial Road will light up for Christmas

The start of the festive season in Portsmouth city centre will be officially marked this Thursday as stars from the Kings Theatre production of Aladdin, players from Portsmouth Football Club and Wave 105 radio host the Christmas light switch-on event.

The traditional switch-on event will run from 4pm – 6pm in Commercial Road. There will be performances from local school bands, choirs and dancing groups before finishing with the switch on and firework finale. The event will also be attended by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor David Fuller.

The event is organised by Portsmouth City Council as a fun way of starting the festive season and to encourage people to use the main shopping centres in the city. The Southsea light switch on took place last week and the Cosham light switch on event will take place from 4pm – 6pm on Wednesday 27 November.

Portsmouth Christmas market has also returned to the city centre for the festive season, open daily from 10am – 7pm. Beautiful wooden cabins sell a mixture of hot food, mulled wine and gifts. There is also be a giant walk-in LED Bauble – ideal for festive photos.

The new-look ice rink in Guildhall Square, which includes a canopy for guaranteed skating whatever the weather, will be open from Saturday 23 November 2019 until Sunday 5 January 2020. Tickets can be booked via the Portsmouth Ice Skating website.