Spectacular light festival will illuminate Portsmouth as popular We Shine returns to the city

Portsmouth will once again be lit up in spectacular style thanks to the return of the stunning We Shine event.

The free festival of light, art and performance for takes place on November 19 to 21 with four key locations transformed with interactive light installations, visual art, immersive experiences in an event reimagined for 2026 as part of the City’s Centenary celebrations.

One of the highlights of this year’s event, organised by Portsmouth Creates, will see Cosham Park transformed into a glowing playground of interactive light installations.

This includes magical installations such as ‘Mycelium Network,’ by Stevie Thompson, curate the show in Tigerboat’s Most Marvellous Shadow Show, power the stunning Kaleidoscopic Mandala by Claudia La Bianca, Swing Together on glowing swings, get hands on with a host of free creative activities and more.

Elsewhere in Portsmouth, Art Up (Portsmouth) CIC, will transform Victoria Park into ‘Park Light’ in a twist on modern light festivals which will see the creation of an immersive experience for audiences of all ages.

Bold explorers can squeeze into the belly of an enormous inflatable Whale by Circo Rum Ba Ba, be awed by Peace and Dove by Filthy Luker X Designs in Air, immerse themselves in projections with Greenhouse in the Park and enjoy performances in unexpected spaces.

Another key location this year will see Portsmouth Historic Dockyard immersed in interactive and digital artworks by artists from Portsmouth and around the world. Delivered by Play Office, audiences can explore VR, moving image, sound, installation and creative technology in a large-scale exhibition exploring memory, place and connection.

Hannah Matthews explores experiences through taxidermy and animatronics, Owain Davis explores sport through motion capture technologies and Maria de la O Garrido brings together physical and virtual landscapes using large-scale collage and sound and more.

Fratton Together CIC will present the celebrations in Fratton in a key part of the popular event which will also see lots of participation from local residents.

People can visit the astonishing STRETCH by Sophia Clist and Nick Burge, within St Mary’s Church; a wall of thousands of strands of fine elastic which comes alive through the people who encounter and engage with it in different ways.

The much loved community Lantern Parade returns on the event of Friday, November 20 followed by performances in the illuminated churchyard from Batala Samba Band, Church & Community Choir and more.

Take a look at a visit from a previous event embedded in this story

Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said “2026 is a hugely significant year for Portsmouth as we celebrate 100 years as a city and look ahead to an exciting future. We Shine Community is a fantastic example of what makes Portsmouth special – bringing organisations, artists and communities together to create ambitious, free cultural experiences across the city. It gives residents and visitors another reason to explore Portsmouth, discover something unexpected and celebrate the creativity that exists on our doorstep.”

With special thanks to our sponsors Arts Council England, Portsmouth City Council and all of our festival sponsors and supporters, who make We Shine Community possible.

We Shine takes place on November 19, 20, 21 from 5pm to 9pm. For more details visit www.weshineportsmouth.co.uk