Holiday Lights Contest 2025

a moon-like circle on a background of holiday lights. Text that reads Citywide Neighborhood Committee Holiday LIghts contest in the moon shape

The Citywide Neighborhood Committee’s Holiday Lights Contest is a cherished tradition in Portsmouth because it gives neighbors another reason to celebrate together this holiday season. Registration for this year’s contest opened Friday, November 28, 2025. The Committee is creating a map of the Holiday Lights Contest entries as they're registered, so residents and visitors can tour the houses.

The maps will be available here once registration closes on December 14, 2025.

Residents are invited to register to participate in the contest by completing this online form (or download and complete this print form).

This contest is open to all Portsmouth residents. Participants can choose which of the three categories best fits their light display when they complete the online registration form. The three categories are:

Traditional - A warm old-time holiday feel (which may invoke nostalgia)
Modern - A festive display including modern aspects (such as inflatable decorations, LED lights, or projections)
Kids' Choice - The kids vote for this one

Members of the Citywide Neighborhood Committee and resident families will be the judges, awarding a supermarket gift card prize and an honorable mention for each category. The judging will take place on December 16, and winners will be announced at the Monday, December 22, 2025 City Council meeting. An anonymous donor has once again committed to donating $10 per entry in the contest to Gather.