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Portsmouth Fire Chief William McQuillen has announced that the Roundabout Diner at 580 US Highway 1 (Portsmouth Circle) is donating meals to Portsmouth firefighters who are working shifts on Christmas Day. 

The New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration has approved the City of Portsmouth, NH property tax rate of $11.51 per $1,000 of valuation for Fiscal Year 2026. The new tax rate is six cents lower than the estimated rate in the FY26 Adopted Budget due to greater than expected property growth. Nearly $200 million in property development this year has strengthened the City’s tax base, offsetting the overall tax impact by 23 cents per $1,000 of valuation and cutting the projected tax increase by 41%.

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. The Committee will create a map of the Holiday Lights Contest entries so residents and visitors can tour the houses. 

Pro Portsmouth’s First Night 2026 takes place on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 from 3 to 8 pm, culminating with the annual fireworks show at 7:30 pm at South Mill Pond. Artist Jeff Day and his team will create an ice sculpture in front of North Church between 2 and 4 pm. The sculpture will remain on display into January.

The City of Portsmouth NH Fire Department is offering fire safety guidelines for the holidays. Portsmouth Fire Department Chief William McQuillen commented, “Portsmouth has suffered some of the most tragic and destructive fires in its history during the holiday season. The City of Portsmouth NH Fire Department strives to reduce the incidence of fire damage and injury at all times and is proud of its record. Fire prevention is our first priority.

The City of Portsmouth NH Department of Public Works is hosting a public information meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 to explain plans for the Congress Street Construction Project anticipated to start on January 5, 2026 and continue to mid-June. The meeting is scheduled for 6 pm in Conference Room A at City Hall (1 Junkins Avenue). To join via Zoom, visit the meeting page and use the registration link provided.

The City of Portsmouth’s 2025 holiday festivities take place on Saturday, December 6 starting with the Holiday Tree Lighting which begins at 5 pm with music from the Portsmouth Middle & High School Holiday Ensemble. At 5:30 pm, the Mayor officially marks the beginning of Portsmouth’s holiday season by flipping the larger-than-life switch in the middle of Market Square to light up the holiday tree. The Illuminated Holiday Parade steps off at 6 pm from Goodwin Park on Islington Street.

The Portsmouth NH City Council voted to approve three hours of free parking in the City’s Foundry and Hanover Garages from Monday, December 15, 2025 through January 1, 2026 to encourage enjoyment of holiday events, dining, and downtown shopping.

Downtown employees who use the City’s discounted parking program in the Foundry Garage can receive an additional three hours free of charge.

The City’s 2025 Holiday Tree Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade festivities will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 starting at 5 pm. Portsmouth’s Tree Lighting ceremony takes place on the first Saturday in December each year from 5 to 5:30 pm, followed by the annual Illuminated Holiday Parade.