Victorious Festival: What you need to know

Victorious Festival's main stage fully lit up with smoke and strobe lights.  A sea of people are standing in front of the stage.Image source, Victorious Festival
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The three-day festival on Southsea's vast seaside common kicks off on Friday

  • Published

Thousands of people are set to attend Victorious Festival as it returns to Southsea this weekend.

Friday night will see rock royalty Queens of the Stone Age on the festival's Common Stage, indie band Vampire Weekend will headline Saturday and Kings of Leon will close the festival on Sunday.

The festival first began in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard over two days on the August bank holiday weekend of 2013, before moving to Southsea Common the following year.

The three-day event runs between Friday and Sunday.

Vampire Weekend's guitarist on stage.  He is wearing a black and white striped top and is holding a pale wood guitar.
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Vampire Weekend are set to headline the festival on Saturday

Who else is on the line-up?

In addition to this year's headliners the bill includes a vast array of music including garage star Craig David, Daniel Bedingfield, Scouting for Girls, Shed Seven, Gabrielle and Madness across the festival's multiple stages.

Along with the music there is some comedy with Jasper Carrott and Joel Dommett making special guest appearances.

Up to 80,000 ticketholders are expected to go to the festival each day.

How to get to the festival?

Ideally walk, cycle or use public transport where possible.

If you are driving into Portsmouth there is no onsite car park for Victorious. Parking is at Lakeside Car park, which needs pre-booking and then you can get a shuttle bus to the festival.

If you are being dropped off and picked up by a pre-booked taxi they need to use the taxi rank in Palmerston Road.

Ferry services run from the Isle of Wight and Gosport on a regular basis. The closest crossing to the festival site from the island is the hovercraft from Ryde.

Various road closures will be in place around the festival site when people leave between 22:30 and just before midnight each night.

Full details about to get there are available on the Victorious website. , external

Stage in the background with large crown in front and the backs of people's heads as they watch a music act.Image source, Victorious Festival
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Campers are urged to head to the campsite before going to the festival site

When do the gates open and what can I bring?

The festival is open between 10:00 and 23:00 BST each day. There is no entry or re-entry after 20:00.

You are not allowed to bring, external the following items to the festival:

  • Camping chairs or similar seating and inflatables

  • No drinks are allowed

  • Any drinks (an empty water vessel - not glass - can be brought in to fill up at drinking water points)

  • Food (unless it is baby food - but no glass containers are permitted)

  • Golf umbrellas/large umbrellas

  • Drones

  • Laser pens

  • Animals (other than guide dogs)

  • Potential weapons of any kind

  • Illegal substances

  • Nitrous oxide

  • Fireworks, flares, air horns or Chinese lanterns

  • Flags or banners

  • Any professional photo and filming equipment

Aerial view of Victorious Festival along Southsea seafront - numerous music stages can be seen with the sea wall and sea running along the edge of the festival site.Image source, Victorious Festival
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The bank holiday festival takes place on Southsea seafront

When does the campsite open?

It has an offsite campsite at Farlington Fields off the A27 with a shuttle bus to and from the festival site. The journey takes approximately 25-30 minutes and you need to buy a bus pass.

Campsite opening hours:

  • Thursday: 13:00 – 01:00

  • Friday: 08:00 – 01:00

  • Saturday: 08:00 – 01:00

  • Sunday: 08:00 – 01:00

  • Monday: campsite closes at 12:00

Anyone aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over who will remain on-site at the festival as their guardian.

Is there anything else I need to know?

It is card payments only across all bars and food stalls.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is also reminding festival-goers barbecues are only permitted in the dedicated cooking zones at the offsite campsite.

The service has also urged people to check out the fire service's general "do's and don'ts", external when using a barbecue.

What is the weather forecast?

Teal coloured large balloon floating above parched ground below and buildings seen in the distance.Image source, Victorious Festival
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Sunshine is currently forecast for the three days

Be sure to use the BBC website to check the latest weather forecast for Southsea.

It is currently forecasting sunshine with a gentle breeze and temperatures in the low 20s.

And as with all festivals, it is always worth being aware of the health risks so you can enjoy the event safely - there are some top tips here.

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