Portsmouth: Fireworks show parking, street closures and more. What you need to know.
PORTSMOUTH — The city and Wilcox Industries will present the annual fireworks display on Monday, July 3, at the South Mill Pond across from City Hall, beginning at 9:15 p.m.
The rain date is Thursday, July 5 at the same time.
This celebration is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event.
More: Here's list of July 4 fireworks, events in Seacoast NH and southern Maine for 2023
Parking bans during Portsmouth fireworks event
Portsmouth Police Chief Mark Newport announced no parking will be permitted starting at noon Monday on the through the fireworks event on the following streets: Parrott Avenue, Junkins Avenue, Mt. Vernon Street, Pleasant Street;, Richmond Street, Livermore Street, Wentworth Street, Melcher Street, Whidden Street, Rogers Street, Edward Street, Franklin Street, Pickering Street, Hunking Street, Gardner Street, Howard Street, Elwyn Avenue, Sherburne Avenue, Rockland Street, Kent Street, Richards Avenue, Gates Street, South Street from Miller Avenue to Marcy Street, and on the west side of Market Street from Deer Street to Russell Street.
Vehicles will be towed from the South Mill Pond playground parking lot on Junkins Avenue beginning at 10 a.m. on July 3 due to the proximity of fireworks operations. Beginning at noon on July 3, vehicles parked on Parrott Avenue between Richards Avenue to Junkins Avenue will be towed. The tennis courts/basketball courts/playground areas and baseball areas will be closed as of 6 a.m. on Monday, July 3. Parrott Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 7 p.m. and Junkins Avenue will be closed to vehicles at 8 p.m.
Where parking is available during Portsmouth fireworks
Limited accessible parking will be available at the public library. The Foundry Place garage will charge a $5 fee upon entry, and the High-Hanover parking garage will charge $10 upon entry, between 3 and 9 p.m. Monday, July 3.
Heavy traffic and very long delays are expected after the fireworks. To help provide a safe environment for the fireworks event, the Portsmouth Police Department will have many officers on foot patrol throughout the night.
More information on July 4 weekend in Portsmouth
Dogs are not allowed in any park where the Recreation Department holds programs. This includes Leary and Central fields, South Playground and Connie Bean Playground.
South Mill Pond Dog Park will be closed from Sunday, July 2 through Thursday, July 6 for cleaning and maintenance.
Vendors, properly licensed by the city, will be permitted on the north side (Portsmouth Middle School side) of ParrotAvenue only.
Residents are reminded that fireworks, including sparklers, are not permitted in the compact part of the city.
City offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. The Recycling Center will be closed on July 4 and Tuesday trash collection will be moved to and combined with Wednesday trash collection. The Portsmouth Public Library and Recreation buildings are closed on July 4. The outdoor pool will be open (open swim 1 to 6:15 p.m.).
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH fireworks: Parking and what to know before you go
