High-energy events throughout the city as part of Portsmouth100

We are excited to present The Point Is Portsmouth from June to September 2026, bringing a summer of bold, high-energy events to the city as part of Portsmouth100, the city’s centenary year celebrations, transforming civic, heritage and community spaces through live performance and shared experiences.

Produced by us with key support from Arts Council England and Portsmouth City Council the programme spans contemporary circus, large-scale outdoor performance, immersive installations and community-led activity.

The Point Is Portsmouth features an exciting line-up of international circus and dance artists, bringing globally recognised performance to Portsmouth. Companies include Šeiko Dance Company from Lithuania and Morocco’s Company Zid, alongside Catalan artists Delrevés, Osadia and If Circus. Each will present bold, visually striking work – much of it showing in the UK for the first time – reinforcing Portsmouth’s position as a destination for ambitious, internationally connected cultural experiences.

Taking place across Fratton, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Victoria Park and Guildhall Square in the city centre, the programme is made possible through a powerful collaboration of partners across the city, including Portsmouth Historic Quarter, 432 Nomads, Fratton Together, Soul Rawkus, Victoria Park and Pompey in the Community.

Rachel Clare, Artistic Director of Crying Out Loud, said:

“The Point Is Portsmouth reflects the collective energy of the city – bringing together artists, partners and communities to celebrate Portsmouth’s history, heritage and the richness of its diverse people.

Portsmouth has such a strong identity – from its naval and maritime history to its proud football culture, literary links, free artistic promenade events and vibrant waterfront.

We want to put Portsmouth firmly on the map as a place where exciting, ambitious work happens – not just brought to the city, but created with it. This is about more than watching – it’s about being part of something shared.”

Credits Produced by Crying Out Loud as part of Portsmouth100

Partners 432 Nomads, Fratton Together, St Mary’s Church, Portsmouth Historic Quarter, Victoria Park, Funk Format/Soul Rawkus, Pompey in the Community

Supported by Arts Council England, Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth Creates, Bentley Young Person’s Trust, University of Southampton, Lithuanian Culture Institute, Normandie Regional Council – Millenium 2027 European Year of The Normans and the French Institute in the UK

Team 
Project Producer – John Sackett
Programme & Engagement Producer – Ana Gillespie
Marketing & Comms Lead – Rachel Soothill & Abbey Smith, BrightWord PR
Artist & Community Project Co-ordinator – Kate McGillicuddy
Assistant Production, Operations & Event Manager – John Ashlin
Marketing & Communications Intern (University of Southampton) – Yang Chong
Project Evaluation Intern (University of Southampton) – Charlotte Gautrey