What's New

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works will hold a Public Information Session on the Cate Street Bridge Project on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6:30 pm at the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, located at 125 Cottage Street. City staff and the project team will provide an overview and updates on the project, followed by an opportunity for questions from the public.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – The last day for Portsmouth residents to register to vote in advance of the Tuesday, November 3, 2026, General Election is Thursday, October 22. The Board of Registrars will meet in session that day from 6 to 7:30 pm at City Hall, located at 1 Junkins Avenue. At this meeting, the Board of Registrars will accept new voter registrations, and process address and name changes. After October 22, eligible Portsmouth residents may register on Election Day at their voting location.

The 31st independently organized Portsmouth Halloween Parade steps off from Peirce Island at 7 pm on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The public is advised that there will be significant traffic delays in the parade route area as it passes, and motorists are strongly urged to seek alternate routes away from affected streets.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – With fall leaf season underway, the City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works (DPW) encourages residents to compost leaves and yard waste responsibly through curbside collection and free Recycling Center drop-off programs.  

As part of its Think Blue public awareness campaign, the DPW Stormwater Division encourages residents to manage leaves and grass clippings in ways that protect local waterways. A "Rake It or Leaf It?" video offers practical tips for fall yard cleanup.

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The City of Portsmouth Recreation Department and Portsmouth Public Library 
are offering events and activities to celebrate fall and Halloween. The City’s trick-or-treat hours are 5 
to 8 pm Friday, October 30, 2026. The Portsmouth Police Department reminds drivers to watch for 
trick-or-treaters and increased traffic that evening. Other City events and activities include:

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – The City has contracted with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. to assist in evaluating whether it should create a dedicated Stormwater Enterprise Utility. The Raftelis team presented an introduction to the topic at the Monday, September 28, 2026 City Council meeting. They outlined a process centered on developing fair funding and equitable solutions for sustainable management of the City’s stormwater infrastructure.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works will hold its 
semiannual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at the Public 
Works facility at 680 Peverly Hill Road. Residents of Portsmouth, New Castle, and Newington are 
encouraged to bring household chemicals for safe disposal between 8 am and 12 noon.

Portsmouth, NH – Following the success of its first invitational exhibition, the Public Art Review 
Committee announces the second invitational showcase of visual art by Seacoast artists. The 
show, Light Falls: A Focus on Light, Shadow, and the Slow Dimming of the Year, features the work 
of four Seacoast area photographers. An artists’ reception and opening is scheduled for 
Monday, September 28 from 6 – 7:30 pm at City Hall, 1 Junkins Avenue in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works Water Division begins its seasonal routine flushing of fire hydrants and water mains on Monday, September 21, 2026. Every hydrant in the City will be flushed, starting from the outskirts of the City working in. The flushing will take place for the next six weeks, Monday through Thursday, between 7 am and 11 pm.