Portsmouth – the place to be this Christmas

This year Portsmouth is bringing out the festive cheer with a whole range of exciting events to get everyone in that feel-good Christmassy mood.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will come alive with dreams of the Christmas past as its Victorian Festival of Christmas celebrates its 10th successful year. Visitors will be magically transported into a Dickensian-style bygone era of snowy white streets with a festive fairground and seasonal carols. This delightful event will take place over three days from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November.

Throughout the dockyard seasonal treats will be available such as roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. Pleasure will also be found with parlour games, bawdy Music Hall, a nativity farm and a traditional 'green' Santa, who will ensure that this hugely popular event is fun for all the family.

Visitors can be swept back in time by a host of colourful characters from the Christmas past, including the Town Crier, suffragettes, chimney sweeps, and cheeky scamps. Organisers would like to advise revellers than cheeky pickpockets may be around. Fagin and his gang are out in force in the tavern to celebrate 100 years of being in film, along with plenty of others who bring back the enjoyment of singing and dancing in public - it won't be long until you're saying 'Please Sir, I want some more!'

Father Christmas will be in his grotto onboard the HMS Warrior 1860 and will be giving Victorian treats to children before they take their places in the school room in the Royal Naval Museum to ensure they are on their best behaviour before Queen Victoria herself arrives to oversee the merriment.

The grand buildings of the Historic Dockyard will be transformed into a glorious bazaar of arts, crafts, food, drink and gifts, a Continental Market and Georgian Colonnades, which makes the Festival of Christmas the largest Christmas market on the South Coast!

This unmissable day will draw to a close with a twilight parade of all the festival characters through the Historic Dockyard, led by Queen Victoria in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage.

The New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth is delighted to be producing its own Christmas show for the first time. The audience will be transported to another world with the beautiful family musical of the well-loved tale, Alice in Wonderland. From Thursday 17 December until Saturday 2 January, the New Theatre Royal will resemble a sparkling Christmas grotto for Alice and her eccentric friends.

Join Alice as she tumbles down the rabbit hole into a world of endless surprises. Meet Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, take part in the Caucus Race and have tea with the Mad Hatter. Full of fun, giggles and friendship, Lewis Carroll's famous story, adapted for the stage by Mike cater will leave a smile on your face and a spring in your step this Christmas.

One of the best things about Portsmouth during the festive season is the fabulous Christmas shopping. Gunwharf Quays has a whole array of designer outlet shops, with up to 70% off usual store prices, which is perfect to find a chic outfit for Christmas parties. Gunwharf Quays is also the perfect place to shop for gifts with top brand clothing and accessories plus home ware and electronics. After you've shopped until you're about to drop there are 30 cosmopolitan bars and restaurants to choose from or you can take a trip up the Spinnaker Tower so see the city's magical festive lights twinkle.

Southsea's stylish streets offer an exciting shopping experience for those craving a touch of individuality. In Marmion Road you'll find hand-made chocolates, inspirational furnishings, stunning shoes and award-winning diamonds or head to Albert Road for vintage delights, antiques, edgy clothing and collectables. The street is buzzing all day and night, with quirky cafes and bars.

Other exciting events throughout the Christmas period include a German Christmas Market in Commercial Road, Aladdin at the Kings Theatre and, of course, switching on the Christmas lights on Commercial Road and Palmerston Road.