Steampunk festival returns to Portland Basin on Saturday

Portland Basin Museum will host a steampunk event this Saturday, September 14.

Organised by the Ashton Steampunk group, the retro-futuristic festival will feature stalls selling steampunk clothes and accessories, entertainment from a ukelele band, and dozens of people dressed to impress. 

Steampunk has sci-fi roots and an industrial revolution aesthetic – think of a Victorian mill owner-turned-eccentric inventor – with top hats, goggles, and extravagant suits and gowns to the fore. 

“You’re imagining the future through the lens of being a Victorian,” said Portland Basin’s manager, Rachel Cornes. “There’s lots of inspiration from industrialisation and the machinery we’ve got here, and it’s a chance to do something a bit quirky. 

“There were all sorts of outfits last year. There was a man with a hot air balloon on his shoulder.” 

Steampunk’s distinctive look has made it hugely popular in Whitby, the spiritual home of the UK’s goth community. 

“Their steampunk weekend is a huge one, but ours is a smaller event,” Rachel added. “It’s for local enthusiasts and people who might not have thought to do it, who might come and get inspiration to dress up or just to come along and watch the costumes and have a nice day out. 

“It’s all about history and encouraging people to engage with the past.” 

Admission to the steampunk day at Portland Basin is free and takes place on Saturday between 10:30am-3:30pm.