Victorious Festival 2024: Know before you go

Victorious Festival 2024 is almost here, and Southsea Common is gearing up to welcome some of the biggest names in music - not to mention world-class comedians and a whole host of family entertainment.

If you're planning to visit Portsmouth for the big event (or even if you're heading down for the August Bank Holiday but not attending Victorious Festival), read on for all the key information you'll need to know.

   

When is Victorious Festival?

This year sees Victorious Festival take place from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 August. There will be a full programme across the weekend, with the site open from 10am to 11pm each day.

   

Who is performing?

Some of the biggest names in music and comedy are gearing up for this year's event. The main headliners are Fatboy Slim, Snow Patrol, Jamie T and Biffy Clyro. They'll be joined on the line up by Becky Hill, Jess Glynne, Pixies, Wet Leg, Arlo Parks, Courteeners, James Bay, Idles, Baby Queen, CMAT, Louis Tomlinson and loads more besides.

Plus, the afternoon special guest slots are back - with huge names including Razorlight, The Kooks and Tom Walker providing headline-worthy sets for those who get down nice and early.

Elsewhere you'll find a packed comedy line up, including heavy hitters Frankie Boyle, Russell Howard and Al Murray, alongside Ria Lina, Suzi Ruffell and even a bit of Barrioke.

Meanwhile, the Kids Arena (described as a 'mini festival in itself') will welcome CBeebies stars Katy Ashworth and Andy Day, plus MC Grammar and SpongeBob SquarePants - as well as a bouncy castle, Jedi training and fun interactive activities from many top Portsmouth attractions (all of which are totally free).

And this isn’t even the half of it, with hundreds of other bands, artists, performers, DJs and more all lined up to entertain across the weekend. In fact, Victorious Festival has offered local artists some 1,700 slots across its 13 stages since 2017.

   

What else is on site?

All that music, comedy, family entertainment, live appearances and fairground rides still not enough? In which case, how about visiting one of the attractions contained within the festival site?

Perhaps the biggest is The D-Day Story, which will be open to festival ticketholders (but festival ticketholders only) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Entry is totally free so be sure to pop by and marvel at the objects - from a tiny pencil to a huge landing craft - on this monumental 80th year.

Southsea Castle will also be open (the Courtyard and Ramparts only), and will be transformed into Henry's House. Here you can enjoy a glass of something fizzy with stunning views out to the Solent or across the festival site, all the while enjoying tunes from live DJs.

Southsea Skatepark also features, and has displays running right across the weekend. Has the Olympics got you into skateboarding and BMX? See it up close and in real life as some of the most talented riders show off their skills. You can even have a go yourself, with regular Roller Discos (with skate hire available).

      

Are there tickets available?

Yes, at the time of writing tickets are still available - you can book individual day or full weekend tickets (plus extras and premium upgrades) at: victoriousfestival.co.uk/buy-tickets.

   

What else is going on over the weekend?

If you're making the most of the summer bank holiday but not headed to Victorious Festival (or only doing certain days), there's still plenty to see and do around the city.

The Spinnaker Tower continues its Sky Ranger Squad activities, whilst at ground level there's Art & Putt at Gunwharf Quays. Youngsters can get their teeth into the Summer of Sharks at Blue Reef Aquarium, or tackle the assault course at Fort Nelson. Or, take a step back in time at The Mary Rose, with its Meet The Tudor event showcasing the power and accuracy of Henry VIII's archers.

As ever, the Visit Portsmouth events listings are your best port of call for all the details on what's going on.

   

What about seafront attractions?

Many of the top attractions on Southsea Seafront are located right by, but not within, the Victorious Festival site. For them all it's business as usual, with the doors open to visitors just like any other bank holiday weekend. So if you were thinking of heading to Southsea's two (that's right, two) piers over the bank holiday weekend, you'll be able to do so. Likewise the nearby bars and restaurants will be open, as will the Blue Reef Aquarium.

See more on our Seafront Attractions Open as Usual page.

   

Other important information

An event the sheer size of Victorious Festival brings with it a few other considerations. For example, there will be some road and car park closures in place during the weekend (as well as either side, to allow the site infrastructure to be built and dismantled safely).

   

Road closures

A number of roads will be closed to allow the festival to take place. From 8am on Thursday 22 to 8am on Tuesday 27 August, there will be a temporary prohibition of driving on the following:

• Avenue De Caen: In its entirety.
• Clarence Esplanade: From the western flood gate to Jack Cockerill Way (west of the entrance to Pyramids car park (including a small turning area outside The Beach Club for small vehicles). The section of Clarence Esplanade west of the eastern floodgate to Avenue de Caen to be extended until 20:00 to enhance safety during break-down of the event and assist in movement of plant from the site.
• Clarence Esplanade: From its junction with Jack Cockerill Way to its junction with The Dell.
• Serpentine Way: In its entirety.
• Victoria Avenue (Southbound): From its junction with Bellevue Terrace.
• Victoria Avenue Spur: In its entirety.

In addition, many roads in the immediate vicinity of the festival site will close Friday to Sunday between 10.30pm and midnight, to allow festivalgoers to exit the event safely.

See the Travel Portsmouth website for full details on road and car park closures, which also has an interactive map and further details.

   

Car and coach parking

Road closures to Clarence Esplanade and Avenue de Caen, for example, will mean car parking spaces along the seafront will also be out of action. The D-Day Car Park will also have a phased closure, with coach parking spaces reduced from Monday 12 August and car parking spaces reduced from one week later.

From 8am on Thursday 22 to 8pm on Tuesday 27 August, The D-Day Story Car Park will be fully closed.

   

Updates on the weekend

For updates through the bank holiday weekend, be sure to follow the Visit Portsmouth social media channels. It's where you'll get important updates as soon as they're released, plus photos and images from the festival site. We're on Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter.