Here comes the summer!

It's summer holiday season - which means the Visit Portsmouth event listings are jam packed with top things to do. Whether you're after a free day out for the family, a big one-off event, or something that cannot be done anywhere else on earth - we have just the thing!

Read on for some inspiration on what you can do in Portsmouth this summer, or head over to our events listings for full details on all these and more.

Big events

Some of the bigger events in Portsmouth's calendar are coming round very soon. Perhaps the biggest of all is Victorious Festival, which welcomes the hottest names in music to Southsea Common every August Bank Holiday weekend.

This year's event takes place 23-25 August and will see headline sets from Fatboy Slim, Jamie T, Snow Patrol, Biffy Clyro, Jess Glynne, Pixies and Wet Leg. They'll be joined on the bill by a whole host of top acts, including Becky Hill, James Bay, The Kooks, Sugababes, Courteeners, Idles, Louis Tomlinson and plenty more besides.

If all that wasn't enough, there's a comedy tent that will feature Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle, Al Murray and Suzy Ruffell, as well as stages for dance, acoustic and world music. Whilst you're there be sure to take a punt on some of the 100+ up-and-coming bands booked to play the festival - who knows, you could see a future headliner!

And don't forget that you can take the whole family to Victorious, as youngsters will enjoy everything on offer in the Kids Arena. Here, TV stars make guest appearances, local attractions offer free activities, and there's fairground rides, entertainment and live music to enjoy too.

Before all that, however, is the ever-popular Portsmouth International Kite Festival, also taking place on Southsea Common. Over the weekend of 27 and 28 July the skies above Southsea will be filled with kites of all sizes, from the large novelty models that are always a great spectacle, to the smaller dancing kites that are used in stunning and agile displays to music.

As well as all there is to see there's plenty to do as well, with craft activities sponsored by Wightlink ferries, and stallholders selling kites so youngsters can give it a go themselves.

All-summer activities

As well as big one-off events there are a number of things to do that run through the entire school holidays. It doesn't matter when you plan to come visit, these will be taking place throughout.

Spinnaker Tower invites youngsters to join the Summer Sky Ranger Squad, with a rotating calendar of events taking place over the six-week school holidays. If you're planning to visit a few times this is ideal, with one ticket getting you into all the activities throughout the summer (they include chocolate making, dino hunting and more).

It's not every day you can combine crazy golf with high art - but that's exactly what's on offer at Gunwharf Quays! The waterfront outlet centre will be home to Art & Putt, offering nine holes of adventure golf that pay tribute to some of the world's most famous and best loved artists. Watch as your ball pings around landscapes inspired by Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali.

There's Summer Fun at Fort Nelson taking place throughout the holidays - with a host of activities to keep youngsters entertained. There's an exciting assault course to try, as well as 'Build the Fort' activities on weekends - which include arch building, wheelbarrow races, brickmaking and more.

Or, if the underwater world is calling, head to Blue Reef Aquarium for its Summer of Sharks. Find out more about these incredible creatures with regular talks, fascinating displays and even live feeding events where aquarists will talk visitors through sharks' behaviour and diet, as well as important and ongoing conservation efforts.

Free events

Looking for some summer activities that won't cost a penny? You've come to the right place! There's a whole array of free things to do in Portsmouth this summer - all you need to do bring is yourself.

Live at the Bandstand is still ongoing for a few weeks yet. Catch some of the best local and regional talent as they play free outdoor gigs on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the early summer season. Each weekend has a different organiser, which ensures there's a variety of different styles and genres on offer.

Alternatively, why not check out the Sunday Sessions at the Queens Hotel.? Here you'll find some of the most soulful singers and maestro musicians performing live in the sunny hotel garden. Entry is free so you may well have some leftover budget to treat yourself to a cool cocktail or glass of wine in the sunshine whilst you're there.

There's even more free music up at Port Solent, where the Totally Tributes event brings you live renditions of all the greatest hits from Queen, Elton John and Oasis.

Free-entry events aren't just about the live music, however. There's the return of vintage bus tours operating a circular route around Southsea and Old Portsmouth. These hop-on, hop-off services are run once a month during summer and are put on by the City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot. It's free to ride the classic red buses around the city, though donations are welcomed from anyone happy to spare a little cash.

Over at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard there's a Pontoon Open Day at Boathouse 4. Chat to the volunteers and see up-close some of the wonderful historic boats in their care. If you've got the money to spend you can even go out on a tour, with different vessels offering something for everyone, whether you want a scenic trip or have a need for speed.

There's more vehicular fun to be had as Beach Dubbin' returns to Southsea Common. As well as a load of classic Volkswagens (from brilliantly maintained Transporters to quirky Beetles in all the colours of the rainbow) there are stallholders, food vendors and live entertainment too.

Don’t miss

If all the above wasn't quite enough, how about a few more events for this summer which may well pique your interest?

First off, take a look at the whole host of activities taking place across the summer at the Mary Rose museum. It's running a series of Hands-On History and Meet the Tudors events, to bring the story of the ship and its crew to life for visitors of all ages.

There's something for everyone, with authentic Tudor games, immersive tours that activate all the senses, interactive craft activities, and even some jester magic.

Or why not do something in Portsmouth you cannot do anywhere else - not just on the South Coast, or the country as a whole - but in the entire world?

Hovertravel is running regular Experience Flights that really show what its crafts are capable of. Participants get to see what it's like when the skirt is deflated so the craft floats like a boat, and enjoy a high speed ride (with potentially a dizzying doughnut thrown in for good measure as well). All throughout there will be a description from the crew, and a certificate at the end.

Remember - the above is just a sample of all the great things there are to see and do in Portsmouth this summer. Head to our Events pages for time and date information on all of these, as well as the many other events taking place over the days and weeks ahead.