Independence Day Fireworks 2024
July 3, 2024
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The City of Portsmouth presents the annual fireworks display on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at South Mill Pond (across from Portsmouth City Hall). This celebration is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event. The rain date is Friday, July 5.
The celebration starts at Leary Field with the Music and Game Zone from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, including lawn games, a DJ, and roaming performers on Parrott and Junkins Avenues. At 9:00 pm the National Anthem will be sung by Crystal Taber. At 9:15 pm the Independence Day fireworks begin.
Portsmouth Police Chief Mark Newport is invoking his “Emergency Powers” and orders that NO PARKING will be permitted starting at 12 pm on Wednesday, July 3 on the streets below, in preparation for and during the fireworks display that evening:
- Parrott Avenue
- Junkins Avenue
- Mt. Vernon Street
- Pleasant Street
- Richmond Street
- Livermore Street
- Wentworth Street
- Melcher Street
- Whidden Street
- Rogers Street
- Edward Street
- Franklin Street
- Pickering Street
- Hunking Street
- Gardner Street
- Howard Street
- Elwyn Avenue
- Sherburne Avenue
- Rockland Street
- Kent Street
- Richards Avenue
- Gates Street
- South Street from Miller Avenue to Marcy Street
- West side of Market Street from Deer Street to Russell Street
The South Mill Pond tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, dog park, playground areas, and baseball areas will be closed starting at 6 am on Wednesday, July 3 to allow for fireworks setup. The playground parking lot on Junkins Avenue will be closed beginning at 8 am on July 3 and cars remaining in the lot will be towed at 10 am, due to the proximity of fireworks operations. Vehicles parked on Parrott Avenue between Richards Avenue to Junkins Avenue will be towed beginning at noon on July 3. Parrott Avenue will be closed to vehicles starting at 7 pm and Junkins Avenue will be closed to vehicles at 8 pm.
A limited amount of ADA-accessible parking will be available in the Public Library lot on Parrott Avenue. The Foundry Garage will charge a $5 pre-pay fee on entry, and the Hanover Parking Garage will charge a $10 pre-pay fee on entry. To take advantage of this pre-pay rate, individuals must arrive at the garages between 3 pm and 9 pm on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.