Press Releases/What’s New

The City has "left the lights on" the holiday tree in Market Square and, with Valentine’s Day approaching on February 14, is inviting the public to help transform it into the "Tree of Love."

From toddlers to seniors, the Portsmouth Recreation Department welcomes all who would like to participate. Residents, visitors, and members of the business community can make or color a heart – creativity is the name of the game!

The City of Portsmouth Public Art Review Committee (PARC) will hold three community engagement sessions to discuss the future signature work of art for Peirce Island that will be funded through the City’s Percent-for-Art program.

The public is invited to learn about the PARC, the history of Peirce Island and the planning process for the Peirce Island Art Project and proposed location. PARC is seeking input from the community on suggested art themes, and ideas at the following sessions:

The Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) Board of Directors has announced a 26 percent decrease in the Portsmouth Community Power base electric rate compared to the current rate. A base rate of 8.1¢ per kilowatt-hour for residential and small commercial customers goes into effect from February 1 through July 31, 2024 for Portsmouth and other CPCNH customers. Customers do not need to do anything to receive this new rate.

The City of Portsmouth and the Portsmouth Arts & Nonprofits Committee joined the national Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) survey between December 2022 and April 2023 and is planning two workshops to share the results in detail. AFTA Vice President of Research Randy Cohen and local arts and business leaders presents The Arts Mean Business Breakfast on January 11 and Data For Impact Workshop on January 12.

With forecasts predicting more winter-like weather in the coming days and weeks, the Portsmouth Department of Public Works is urging residents to be mindful of issued parking ban announcements and take proper safety measures.

The City of Portsmouth’s newly-established Public Art Review Committee (PARC) is pleased to announce the launch of the process to plan for, create, and install a signature work of art on City property at Peirce Island using funding from the City’s Percent-for-Art program.