Welcome Festival 2026

Join us for our Welcome Festival on moving-in weekend at Ravelin Park for students and their parents and friends. There is plenty of room for everyone to try some street food, play games, go for a campus  walking tour, pick up a free houseplant and ask University staff any questions. 

Drop by anytime during opening hours (no need to check in). Sit back, relax and enjoy your first taste of the campus and city - your new home from home. 
 

When

• Saturday 12 September 10.00am to 3.00pm
• Sunday 13 September 10.00am to 3.00pm

Where

Ravelin Park, next to Ravelin Sports Centre, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2SE

Food

• Terrace Cafe - will be open all day for guests, providing a relaxed space to sit, eat and enjoy refreshments
• UOP Airstream - bacon rolls in the morning and then a street food option for lunch
• UOP Ice Cream Bike - guests can enjoy ice creams available from our University bike 

Activities

• Support Services Fair – enjoy games and craft, or speak to University staff if you have any questions about student life, housing, finance and wellbeing
• Traditional fair games – play games such as ring toss, ball in a bucket, play your cards rights
• Welcome Festival Treasure Hunt – scan the QR code to join, then visit five stands and answer five questions. When you get to the end, you’ll have the chance to enter a prize draw to win a uni hoodie!
• The Union Shop - where you can buy uni hoodies, sweatshirts and merch
• Free houseplants – to pick up and brighten your room!
• Portsmouth Street Pastors - try the interactive quiz to find out more about what Street Pastors do. 
• Solent Mind - self-affirmation paper chains

Walking tours

We have a number of walking tours for you to get to know our campus and sport facilities. Tours will leave from the Welcome Festival Marquee in Ravelin Park. No need to book just sign up on the day.

• Campus tour with Solent Original Walks  – 10.30am, 12,00pm or 1.30pm start (1 hour walk). Explore the city and hear first hand what university life is like from a current Master’s student.
• Sports and Recreation tour - ad hoc tours between 10.00am and 3.00pm at Ravelin Sports Centre.

Calm Space @WelcomeFestival

Students’ Union, 1-13 Lord Montgomery Way, PO1 2AH (2-minute walk from Welcome Festival)

If you’ve told us about a disability, mental health condition, or learning difference – or if you’re just feeling unsure – you’re invited to our Calm Space @WelcomeFestival from 10.00am to 3.00pm.

This is a quieter space running alongside the main Welcome Festival. You can drop in, meet friendly staff, ask questions, and connect with other students at your own pace.

Evening - Speed Friending

Welcome activities continue into Saturday and Sunday evening with Speed Friending in halls of residence from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at multiple locations. 

Join us for a night of fun icebreaker games and get to know other students joining university, make friends, and feel more at home in Portsmouth. 

Saturday 12 September

• Rosalind Franklin halls of residence

Sunday 13 September

• Catherine House
• Bateson Hall

Car parking

University car parks will be open and available for visitors to park in on Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September. As non permit holders, visitors will be charged the standard rate for parking, The nearest pay and display car parking to the event site is Ravelin Sports Centre, Gun House, William Beatty, and University House:

• Anglesea rear car park (PO1 3DJ)
• Dorothy Dymond car park (PO1 2SA)
• Gun House car park (PO1 2EF)
• Melbourne Place car park (PO5 4AN)
• Milldam car park (PO1 3AF)
• Ravelin Sports Centre car park (PO1 2SE)
• St George's car park (PO1 2HY)
• William Beatty car park (PO1 2QG)