Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Tell Us: Where Are The Best Christmas Light Displays In Portsmouth?
And on the Portsmouth Patch calendar - Nichinan Nights Happy Hour
What's up Portsmouth! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Share your favorite Portsmouth streets glowing with Christmas lights
- How did Portsmouth’s parking headaches begin—and what’s changing this holiday?
- How Portsmouth donations are keeping Seacoast neighbors warm this winter
Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From our Partner
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Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Windy and very cold, with a high of 24 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and not as cold, temps: high: 32, low: 24.
- Wednesday: Breezy with periods of sun, with a high of 42 and low of 25 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Tell Us: Where Are The Best Christmas Light Displays In Portsmouth? (patch.com) — Portsmouth residents are being asked to share the streets and neighborhoods with the most impressive Christmas light displays so others can enjoy a low-cost holiday outing. Patch will compile submitted locations into a guide on Dec. 21, giving locals time to tour the Port City’s brightest and most festive spots. 
2. Portsmouth's parking problems date back to horse-and-buggy era (seacoastonline.com) — If you’re hunting for a spot downtown, Portsmouth’s long-running parking saga explains why garages and lots feel so tight today. A look back at Market Square, the High-Hanover and Foundry Place garages, and evolving meter systems leads up to this year’s holiday perk: three hours of free parking in both garages from Dec. 15 to Jan. 1.
3. Gift of Warmth helped Seacoast mom get back on her feet (seacoastonline.com) — Portsmouth-area residents are being asked to support the Gift of Warmth campaign, which helps neighbors in Rockingham and Strafford counties cover heating and emergency winter costs. A Rochester mother shares how Community Action Partnership programs helped her escape homelessness, secure housing, and reunite with her children. The article also lists recent donors and explains exactly how and where to contribute.
4. Seacoast Friday Roundup: STA girls hoop opens with win, more results (seacoastonline.com) — Seacoast hoops fans get a full rundown of Friday’s local high school basketball action, including Portsmouth Christian’s split results against Littleton and a strong season-opening win for St. Thomas Aquinas girls. Exeter, Spaulding, Winnacunnet, Dover, Oyster River, Somersworth, and Newmarket teams also opened their seasons, with several games coming down to late free throws and fourth-quarter rallies.
📸 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!
- Nichinan Nights Happy Hour
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce 15 Middle St. (inside Hotel Thaxter) Portsmouth, NH 03801 - 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Portsmouth Historical Society 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth NH
10:00 am - Junior Science: The Wonders of Water
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce 6 Washington Street Dover, NH 03820
2:00 pm - Flatbread Company's Benefit Bake
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Flatbread Company 138 Congress Street, ?Portsmouth, NH
4:00 pm - FOOD & BEVERAGE: Happy Hour at Toscana
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 3 Pleasant Street , Portsmouth
4:00 pm - Public Service Industry Night
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Ore Nell's Barbecue Kittery, Maine
4:00 pm - Winter Warm Up featuring Kara and Beau Anderson, writers of "Lucy and the Dog Bunch Save Christmas"
Langdon Library , 328 Nimble Hill Road , Newington
5:30 pm - A Night of Carolers at The Library Restaurant
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 401 State St , Portsmouth
6:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
📣 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
- Playtime Party at Rye Public Library
Rye Public Library , 581 Washington Rd , Rye
10:30 am - FOOD & BEVERAGE: Happy Hour at Toscana
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce 3 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth, NH
4:00 pm - 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Portsmouth Historical Society 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth NH
10:00 am - Sensory Play at Rye Public Library
Rye Public Library , 581 Washington Rd , Rye
10:30 am
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
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:
- RSP Studio Custom Framing — (603) 978-6702
RSP Studio Custom Framing – for all your framing needs. - Dogtopia of North Hampton — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness - Total Basement Finishing, a Blackdog Affiliate — (603) 458-7962
Basement Remodeling Experts in NH, MA and ME
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 Summer 2026 Manufacturing, Science & Technology Internship in Portsmouth. Apply here.
- High Liner Foods Inc posted a job opening for Manager, Quality Assurance 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 don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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