What's New

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. 

The City Welfare Office is continuing its annual holiday tradition by collecting gift cards for families with older children who are often not included in other gift donation programs in the City.

The City's Department of Public Works is continuing leaf collection and composting in parks and greenspaces. Curbside yard waste pickup will run through November 30, and residents may also drop off yard waste at the Recycling Center.

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 11 am, Veterans Day will be commemorated in Portsmouth with a wreath-laying at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in Goodwin Park. A post-event gathering will take place at the American Legion Post (96 Islington Street). In case of rain, the event will move indoors to the Legion.

The City of Portsmouth NH Department of Public Works is hosting a public information meeting on the City’s Asset Management initiative on Thursday,

November 13, 2025 at 6 pm in City Hall Conference Room A and via Zoom. To register to attend via Zoom, visit: portsnh.co/meet_assetmanagement.

The City of Portsmouth NH Department of Public Works is hosting a public information meeting on the City’s Asset Management initiative on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 6 pm in City Hall Conference Room A and via Zoom. To register to attend via Zoom, visit: portsnh.co/meet_assetmanagement.