IN OUR WORDS is a year-long festival of literature, literacy, and storytelling – designed to inspire, engage, and connect people of all ages.
From celebrating Portsmouth’s famous literary figures to everyday reading In Our Words will bring books, writing, and creativity to life through events, workshops, and community-driven projects.
Whether you’re a book lover, aspiring writer, or want to read more but unsure where to start this is your year to discover, learn, and share in the power of words!
Coming to an event?
Get ready for a fantastic lineup of literary experiences, from author talks and poetry slams to interactive storytelling, creative writing workshops, and family-friendly book-themed events. Whether you’re here to listen, learn, or create, there’s something for everyone!
Want to contribute?
We’re calling on writers, artists, educators, and community groups to bring fresh, bold, and creative ideas to the programme. If you have a passion for words and storytelling, this is your chance to shape Portsmouth’s literary legacy. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember! Email projects@portsmouthcreates.co.uk for more information.
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WRITE TO BE HEARD – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Write to Be Heard
Date: 16th September
Time: 16.00 – 18.00
Location: Motiv8 – Unit 2 & 3 Cumberland Gate, Cumberland Road PO5 1AG
Cost: Free
No experience needed—bring your voice, your ideas, and your curiosity. Write it. Share it. Be heard.
THE HOLMES FEST SHOW – IN OUR WORDS 2025
The Holmes Fest Show
Date: 19th & 20th September
Time: 19.00
Location: The Groundlings Theatre
Cost: £15 Regular, £45 VIP
After last year’s fun and laughter, Holmes Fest returns for music, silliness, sketches and storytelling with an all-new show!
DINOSAUR AND FOSSIL FUN – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Dinosaur and Fossil Fun: The Lost World Workshop.
Date: 20th September
Time: 12.00 – 15.45
Location: Southsea Cinema
Cost: Free
Kids are invited to get their hands dirty painting fossil dinosaur eggs or dinosaur skulls in this fun, free workshop.
THE DINODSAUR THAT POOPED – IN OUR WORDS 2025
The Dinosaur That Pooped
Date: 21st September
Time: 12.30 & 15.30
Location: New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
Cost: £19.50 Adult, £18.50 Child, £66 Family.
When Danny and Dino’s favourite rock band are playing their last ever concert, they go on a quest to get the last two tickets. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan.
THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE HABERDASHER’S SCISSORS – IN OUR WORDS 2025
The Mysterious Case of the Haberdasher’s Scissors
Date: 21st September
Time: 15.00-16.30
Location: Hunter Gatherer, Southsea
Cost: £7.50
In this fun illustrated talk, local writers and researchers claim to have discovered an extraordinary fact: three famous literary figures met each other in the early 1880s on King’s Road in Southsea.
IN SHERLOCK’S FOOTSTEPS – IN OUR WORDS 2025
In Sherlock’s Footsteps. Guided Walk: Conan Doyle’s Portsmouth.
Date: 22nd September
Time: 14.00
Location: Meet outside A Bar, 58 White Hart Road, PO1 2JA
Cost: £15
Matt Wingett invites you to walk the streets that young Arthur Conan Doyle walked 140 years ago.
ZOINKS! THE MYSTERY MACHINE MEETS SHERLOCK HOLMES! – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Zoinks! The Mystery Machine Meets Sherlock Holmes!
Date: 23rd September
Time: 19.30-21.00
Location: Hunter Gatherer, Southsea
Cost: £7.50
The spooky folklore behind Scooby-Doo – with special appearance by Sherlock Holmes.
DISCOVERING SHERLOCK & FOLKLORE BEHIND THE HOUND – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Talk: Sherlock Holmes and the Folklore Behind the House of the Baskervilles
Date: 24th September
Time: 19.00-21.30
Location: Portsmouth Central Library
Cost: £10
Join two world-renowned experts to discuss how Sherlock was created, and the legends behind the Hound of the Baskervilles in this fascinating double bill.
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Murder Mystery Dinner
Date: 25th September
Time: 19.00-22.00
Location: The Chambers, Southsea
Cost: £40
Step into a candlelit parlour where secrets flicker in the shadows and the clink of silverware masks whispered conspiracies.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE OPEN MIC – IN OUR WORDS 2025
The Curious Case of the Open Mic
Date: 26th September
Time: 19.00
Location: The Hideaway, Southsea
Cost: Free
Join us on Friday 26th September at the Hideaway for an evening where words come alive and music stirs the soul, all in a Holmesean vein!
THE LOST WORLD – IN OUR WORDS 2025
The Lost World
Date: 27th September
Time: 19.00
Location: Southsea Cinema
Cost: Free screening, £5 Introductory talk.
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Arthur Conan Doyle’s movie The Lost World!
PORTRAIT OF A QUEER WOMAN ON FIRE – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Portrait of a Queer Woman on Fire: Self-expression through Creative Writing and Visual Art for LGBTQIA+ women
Date: 28th September
Time: 10.00 – 16.00
Location: The Green House, Victoria Park
Cost: £60 for all four days.
A celebration of LGBTQIA+ women’s identities through creative writing and visual arts.
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES – IN OUR WORDS 2025
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Date: 28th September
Time: 19.00
Location: Southsea Cinema
Cost: £7.50, concessions available.
Come to The Southsea Arts Cinema to celebrate the final night of HOLMES FEST 2025 for drinks, chats and fun.
POET LAUREATE SIMON ARMITAGE INSPIRES PORTSMOUTH PUPILS IN FREE LIVE LITERATURE EVENT – In Our Words 2025
Poet laureate Simon Armitage inspires Portsmouth pupils in free live literature event!
Poet Laureate – and Portsmouth University alumnus – Simon Armitage has brought his trademark blend of honesty, humour and insight to the New Theatre Royal stage, as part of Portsmouth Creates’ Year of Literacy, “In Our Words”.
Portsmouth “year of storytelling” sparks record-breaking summer reading challenge – IN OUR WORDS 2025
PORTSMOUTH “YEAR OF STORYTELLING” SPARKS RECORD-BREAKING SUMMER READING CHALLENGE
School children across Portsmouth are being encouraged to take part in one of the city’s biggest-ever summer reading challenges, thanks to a new initiative from Portsmouth Creates…
YEAR 5 BOOK AWARDS – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Hundreds of Year 5 pupils from across Portsmouth came together at the Kings Theatre on Wednesday 25 June to celebrate a shared love of reading at the annual Year 5 Book Awards…
FROM THE HEART – IN OUR WORDS 2025
From The Heart
Date: Thursday 2 October 2025
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: The Square Tower, Portsmouth
Cost: £5
MEET MAJID: A VOICE AT THE HEART OF REFUGEE WEEK
As we approach Refugee Week 2025, we invite you to be part of a city-wide celebration of resilience, community, and the transformative power of storytelling…
