What's New

Pro Portsmouth’s First Night takes place on Saturday, December 31, from 3 to 8 pm and includes ice sculpting in Market Square and a fireworks show at 7:30 pm at the South Mill Pond.

Following the recommendations of the Governance Committee, the Portsmouth City Council has directed the creation of a new Public Art Review Committee (PARC) to assist the City in reviewing proposals for public art and conducting practical assessments of the feasibility of installing and maintaining such art works in the public sphere.

PARC responsibilities include: 

Once again the Citywide Neighborhood Committee Holiday Lights Contest received enthusiastic support, with 42 Portsmouth residents participating. Mayor Deaglan McEachern will honor the winners in person at the January 9, 2023 City Council meeting.

The top three winners are:

Reviving a holiday tradition, the City Council voted to approve a Parking Enforcement Holiday on City-owned metered and kiosk parking in the downtown area from Saturday, December 17, 2022 through Monday, December 26, 2022.  Parking fees in the Foundry Place and Hanover Garages remain in effect.

Contest registration deadline was December 10, 2022. See a map of those who entered.

Go to a printable PDF of the map, with addresses.

City Manager Karen Conard is pleased to announce the promotion of Peter L. Britz to City Planning and Sustainability Director, effective January 3, 2023. He is currently Assistant Director, Environmental Planner and Sustainability Coordinator, and previously served as Interim Planning Director from September to December 2021.

The City of Portsmouth Clerk’s Office is now accepting applications for the seasonal boat slips at the Prescott Park docks. The application period is December 5, 2022 through 4 pm on January 5, 2023. Go to the 2023 application package.

The City’s 2022 Holiday Tree-Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade will be held as planned on Saturday, December 3 starting at 5 pm. After reviewing the forecast, which calls for temperatures in the 50s and rain tapering to occasional showers by parade time, the City has decided to proceed with plans for the tree-lighting and parade on Saturday evening.

Josh Denton, Commander of VFW Post 168, reports that Veterans Day will be commemorated in Portsmouth with a wreath-laying at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in Goodwin Park on Friday, November 11, 2022 at 11 am. In case of rain, the event will move indoors to the Legion Post where a post-event gathering will take place for those unable to attend the outdoor ceremony.

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, the Citywide Neighborhood Committee hosts a panel of Portsmouth city officials to discuss projects and issues specific to the Ward 1 neighborhood. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm, in-person at the New Franklin School located at 1 Franklin Drive.The meeting is open to residents of Ward 1 as well as to the public at large.

The Ward 1 Forum is part of a series of Neighborhood Outreach Forums hosted by the Citywide Neighborhood Committee. Additional Ward Forums are being planned.