Ground Up Festival, Portsmouth

8 – 10 May 2026

Ground Up Festival

Discover bold, joyful and boundary-pushing work at Ground Up — Portsmouth’s first-ever Learning Disability Arts Festival.
Held over three days at Aspex Portsmouth, this full-gallery takeover has been curated by the TNG Inclusive Arts Committee, a powerhouse group of 13 learning disabled artists. The festival features a vibrant line-up of performances, participatory workshops, exhibitions, silent discos, all with inclusion and accessibility at their core.

Ground Up is a celebration of creativity by learning disabled artists from across the UK, showcasing musicians, performers, dancers, and makers who challenge assumptions, explore new ground, and bring joy, resistance, visibility, and connection to the stage.

One of the headline events is Disco Neurotico — an inclusive, neurodivergent-led club night founded, featuring a stellar DJ line-up, UV art, gaming zones, and sensory-friendly vibes.

This is a space for everyone: all ages, all abilities, all welcome. Whether you want to dance, make, witness or rest — come and rise with us from the Ground Up.

Full programme to be announced soon.