Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Portsmouth Public Library To Close Early On New Year's Eve, Closed New Year's Day
Coming up: Holiday Hygge Pop-up! on the Portsmouth Patch calendar
Hello again Portsmouth! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Plan ahead for Portsmouth library’s New Year’s holiday hours
- Will Portsmouth’s new parking plan finally guarantee residents a spot?
- How intense was Portsmouth’s post-Christmas return rush this year?
Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Cold with clouds breaking, with a high of 23 and low of 14 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Sunday: Partly sunny and not as cold, temps: high: 36, low: 25.
- Monday: A little morning rain; cloudy, with a high of 44 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Portsmouth Public Library To Close Early On New Year's Eve, Closed New Year's Day (patch.com) — Portsmouth residents should note that the Portsmouth Public Library will close early on New Year’s Eve and remain closed on New Year’s Day. Plan your book returns, pickups, and library visits ahead of the holiday so you are not caught off guard by the adjusted schedule. 
Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Portsmouth studies charging non-residents to park where it's now free (seacoastonline.com) — Portsmouth officials are weighing a 2026 pilot program that would keep parking free for registered residents while charging non-residents $1 an hour in many currently free city lots and streets. The plan targets busy areas like the library, South Mill Pond, Peirce Island, and the skate park to free up spaces near homes and public facilities, while city leaders debate how to protect downtown workers’ access.
3. Post-Christmas return rush hits the Seacoast (wmur.com) — Downtown Portsmouth was packed the day after Christmas as residents flooded local shops and big-box stores to return or exchange gifts and hunt for missed items. From Market Square boutiques to Newington retailers and a busy UPS Store handling Amazon returns, the post-holiday rush is expected to stretch into mid-January, with state officials reminding shoppers to watch store return policies.
4. 9 Adorable Small Towns In New Hampshire (newenglandnewspress.com) — Portsmouth gets a prime spotlight here as one of nine especially charming New Hampshire small towns, praised for its historic seaport character and walkable downtown. The piece highlights Strawbery Banke Museum, the Portsmouth Harbor Trail, Prescott Park, and local favorites like The Wilder and Thirsty Moose, while also suggesting other day-trip towns across the state worth exploring.
5. Snowy Friday night impacts holiday travel plans (nbcboston.com) — Portsmouth residents heading to Logan by bus saw their flight canceled just after leaving town, as Friday’s snowstorm disrupted holiday travel across the region. Dozens of delays and cancellations hit Logan, and AAA warned flyers and drivers to expect ongoing issues into Saturday, with MassDOT treating slick roads and airlines still working through weather-related backups.
📸 Around Portsmouth
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Holiday Hygge Pop-up!
Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Ave, Portsmouth
1:00 pm
Sunday December 28
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Nichinan Nights Happy Hour
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 15 Middle St. , Portsmouth - 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
Portsmouth Historical Society , 10 Middle Street , Portsmouth
10:00 am - FOOD: Sunday Brunch at SALT
SALT Kitchen and Bar
11:00 am - Nichinan Nights Happy Hour
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 15 Middle St. , Portsmouth - 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
Portsmouth Historical Society , 10 Middle Street , Portsmouth
10:00 am - Cardboard City
Langdon Library , 328 Nimble Hill Road , Newington
2:30 pm - FOOD & BEVERAGE: Happy Hour at Toscana
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 3 Pleasant Street , Portsmouth
4:00 pm
Sunday December 28
Monday December 29
📣 Portsmouth Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- MUSIC: ELEW
Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club , 135 Congress St. , Portsmouth
7:30 pm - Frank Santorelli (from HBO's Sopranos)
McCues Comedy Club - Portsmouth , 580 Portsmouth Traffic Cir , Portsmouth
8:00 pm - 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
Portsmouth Historical Society , 10 Middle Street , Portsmouth
10:00 am - Kids + Sound
Cinder And Sound , 216 Lafayette Rd , Rye
11:00 am
Saturday December 27
Sunday December 28
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Portsmouth PatchAM possible:
- Total Basement Finishing, a Blackdog Affiliate — (603) 458-7962
Basement Remodeling Experts in NH, MA and ME - RSP Studio Custom Framing — (603) 978-6702
RSP Studio Custom Framing – for all your framing needs. - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Dogtopia of North Hampton — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Lonza America, Inc. posted a job opening for Manufacturing Supervisor in Portsmouth. Apply here.
- New Hampshire Staffing posted a job opening for CNC Machinist Second Shift in Portsmouth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.
Ok Portsmouth! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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