Portsmouth holiday lights contest begins for 2022: What you need to know

Special to Portsmouth Herald
·2 min read

PORTSMOUTH — Thanks to the enthusiastic participation in the 2021 Neighborhood Holiday Lights Contest, the Citywide Neighborhood Committee announces its return for 2022, to give residents a way to celebrate together this holiday season. The registration period has begun and continues through Dec. 10.

Contest details are as follows:

The contest is open to every Portsmouth resident. There are three categories this year and the judges will select which one is most appropriate for each entry they view.

  • Traditional Light Display

  • Creative Light Display

  • Kids’ Choice

The top three winners each receive a $500 gift certificate, with preference given to first-time winners. Honorable mention winners each receive a $25 gift card.

Al Bailey's theme is "The Muppets go to the Portsmouth penguin party" for his annual Christmas display at 487 Ocean Road in Portsmouth, as seen Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. The display was one of the winners in the 2021 city Holiday Lights Contest.
Al Bailey's theme is "The Muppets go to the Portsmouth penguin party" for his annual Christmas display at 487 Ocean Road in Portsmouth, as seen Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. The display was one of the winners in the 2021 city Holiday Lights Contest.

Residents are invited to register to participate in the contest by completing the form on the Holiday Lights Contest 2022 webpage: cityofportsmouth.com/city/holiday-lights-contest  Or, for a printable pdf of the entry form and more information, go to: cityofportsmouth.com/sites/default/files/2022-11/revHoliday%20Lights%20Entry%20Form%202022.pdfPrint the form, scan it and email it to hotline@cityofportsmouth.com or mail c/o City Manager’s Office, City Hall, One Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth NH 03801.

Last year:2021 Portsmouth Holiday Lights Contest winners announced

Contest entries will be judged by school-aged children, who will be driven through their assigned neighborhoods (not their own) to make their choices of the best holiday lights displays. Judging will take place Dec. 11-19. The committee will create a map of the Holiday Lights Contest entries, available on the contest webpage after Dec. 10.

In announcing the contest details, Portsmouth Citywide Neighborhood Committee chair Larry Cataldo said, “The Holiday Lights Contest always makes the season bright and fun for kids of all ages. The Citywide Neighborhood Committee is proud to continue this tradition that inspires residents to bring a little joy to Portsmouth neighborhoods through their holiday displays.” ​

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH holiday lights contest begins for 2022