What’s on Portsmouth: Don’t miss out on a fantastic season ahead at Portsmouth Guildhall

As the warmth of the summer fades, you will find some of the biggest names in entertainment touring the country, and Portsmouth Guildhall is leading the charge to bring the best in entertainment to Portsmouth and the south!    

View the full programme online he or take a whistle-stop tour through the highlights below.

Masses of amazing music to suit all tastes

Many of the world’s greatest bands and artists have performed at Portsmouth Guildhall including The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, U2, Arctic Monkeys, McFly, Manic Street Preachers and many, many more. So, it always pays to keep an eye on announcements from the Guildhall to be in with a chance of snapping up tickets when those once in a lifetime opportunities come around! 

This coming season, music lovers will not be disappointed with a myriad of memory making moments assured from a fantastic line-up including Paul Weller, Lulu, Anastacia, The Pretenders, Jamie Cullum, Midge Ure, Hard-Fi, Bellowhead, 10CC, The Cult, Boyzlife, You Me at Six, Steve Hackett, Ride, Sea Girls, Joe Jackson, Jane McDonald, Jools Holland, Jason Donovan, Mike & The Mechanics, Bob Vylan, Fish, Wet Wet Wet, Takedown Festival, Skindred, The Almighty, Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, Rhythm of the 90s and a wide range of thrilling tributes. 

Comedy that will have you cracking up

There is nothing better than a night of laughter to lift your mood and Portsmouth Guildhall has some of the comedy circuit’s side-splitting best coming up including Greg Davies, Sarah Millican, Mo Gilligan, Katherine Ryan, John Bishop, Jimmy Carr, Al Murray, Ben Elton and Paul Smith!     

Fun for all the family

Keeping the kids entertained as the weather turns can be tricky, but Portsmouth Guildhall has a great range of shows and events on their way that will appeal to all ages!

Steve Backshall’s Ocean, Mini Ravers Halloween Festival, Rude Science Show, The Snow Queen – A Frozen Adventure Family Pantomime, Little Red Riding Could, The Wizard of Oz and the Guildhall’s own special events: 

Games Fest – a feast for all gamers including Esports, board gaming, retro arcade games, Dungeons and Dragons, Indie gaming and much more. 14 – 15 September. 

Portsmouth Comic Con – the best in comic, film, TV and pop culture entertainment in the largest family-friendly Comic Con of its kind! 3 – 4 May.

A Classical series to challenge perceptions

If you think classical music isn’t for you, you might want to take a closer look at The Classical Series presented at Portsmouth Guildhall from 4th October.

Featuring music from some of the biggest Box Office hits including a Heroes & Superheroes concert, the iconic tracks of the James Bond films and the soundtracks to your favourite festive films, The Holiday and Love Actually, played live-to-film by a full orchestra.

Plus, a Rock Orchestra by Candlelight and a Christmas Concert spectacular by one of the world’s finest military bands will highlight alongside the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a packed programme from the resident Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Portsmouth Chamber Music by Music in the Round featuring all the Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Holst, Wagner, Sibelius and other classical greats you would expect.         

Eclectic and exciting programmes in the Guildhall’s The Box and The Lens Studio

Most well-known for its large 2,000 seat auditorium, those looking for something a little different or more intimate should definitely explore the programmes of the smaller The Box and The Lens Studio venues within Portsmouth Guildhall.

Music is the mainstay of The Box with DJ sets from Chris Moyles and Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Party plus shows from Nik Kershaw, The Chats, Punk Rock Factory, One Night in Nashville and a Takedown Festival Showcase Final.

The Lens Studio offers an eclectic programme featuring emerging artists and icons alike with music from across all genres (Geno Washington & The Yo Yo’s, Julia Fordham, Nell Bryden, Eliza Carthy and Pete Wylie and The Mighty Wah are just some of those set to play) and stand-up comedy (Sarah Keyworth, Carl Hutchinson, Catherine Bohart and Travis Jay, again just some of those who will be taking to the stage) plus dance, drama and family theatre.

The greatest variety of programme on offer!

The size and versatility of Portsmouth Guildhall ensures there is always a tremendous variety of shows and events to enjoy on our doorstep!

Evenings with some of your favourite celebrities including Tim Peake, James Martin, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, Dick & Angel, Jeff Stelling, an Oktoberfest and sporting events with The Red Dragon - Untouchables Darts and Shock N’ Awe MMA.

Plus, Portsmouth’s annual wellbeing seminar; Mindset Maintenance Live, Cirque Du Guildhall Christmas Party Nights, variety and musical shows; An Evening of Burlesque and Come What May plus the 30th Anniversary tour of the incredible Riverdance! 

Find out more

For the full programme and tickets head to the website here

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