2021 Holiday Lights Contest

Mayor Rick Becksted announced the return of the Neighborhood Holiday Lights Contest for 2021, to give residents a way to celebrate together this holiday season. The Portsmouth Citywide Neighborhood Committee is coordinating the details.

Residents are invited to register to participate in the contest by completing this simple form. The deadline to enter is December 10, 2021.

For a printable pdf of the entry form and more information, print out the form, scan it and email it to hotline@cityofportsmouth.com or mail c/o City Manager’s Office, City Hall, One Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth NH 03801. 

The contest is open to every Portsmouth resident. Design your light display however you wish! The judges will determine which of the three categories an entry fits: 

• Traditional Lights Display
• Creative Lights Display
• Kids' Choice

Contest entries will be judged by school-aged children, who will be driven through their assigned neighborhoods (not their own) to make their choices of the best holiday lights displays. Judging will take place between December 11 and 19. The Committee will create a map of the Holiday Lights Contest entries so that residents can tour the lighted locations route by car.

The winners of these awards will be announced by Mayor Becksted at the December 20 City Council meeting;

• Traditional Display – $500 Ricci Lumber Gift Certificate
• Creative Display – $500 Home Depot Gift Certificate
• Kids' Choice Display – $500 Lowe’s Gift Certificate
• Honorable Mentions – $25 Gift Certificates

In addition, to the prize donors, Seacoast Media Group is an in-kind sponsor, providing publicity and advertising space for the contest.