Our Naval City Festival

Our Naval City Festival takes over Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on Saturday 3 October, from 10:00 to 21:00. It's a full day of talks, activities, market stalls and live music spread across the dockyard, and the whole thing is built around the reunion of all 45 Pride of Portsmouth lion sculptures. The festival marks 100 years of Portsmouth as a city, and it's all about the people, places and events that shaped its naval identity.

There's a good bit to get stuck into. The HMS Nelson Royal Naval Volunteer Band will be playing live music and sea shanties, and you'll find historic vessels and vehicles on display. There are talks with academics from the University of Portsmouth, and family activities including a Dockyard trail and 'Have a Go Archery' with the Mary Rose. The Love Southsea Mini Market brings in charity stands and traders, and heritage tours are led by volunteers from the Portsmouth Royal Dockyard Historical Trust. If you want to get on the water, there are boat trips on Landing Craft F8, High Speed Launch 102 and Motor Gun Boat 81.

The day leans on the Dockyard's living heritage, with the Mary Rose still on display and volunteers who include former Dockyard workers and Royal Navy veterans. You can follow the story of Jack the Painter, have some traditional naval-inspired food and drink, and take to the water on those historic vessels. It's a long day, so you can pick and choose what you fancy.

Entry to the festival and the dockyard site is free, though you'll need separate admission for the dockyard's museums and attractions. It runs from 10:00 to 21:00 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Boathouse 4, Main Road, Portsea, PO1 3QX.