City of Portsmouth NH Citywide Neighborhood Committee announces Annual Holiday Lights Contest - Registration opens Nov. 28

PORTSMOUTH– The Citywide Neighborhood Committee’s Holiday Lights Contest is a cherished tradition in Portsmouth because it gives neighbors another reason to celebrate together this holiday season. The Committee will create a map of the Holiday Lights Contest entries so residents and visitors can tour the houses.

Registration for this year’s contest runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 14. Residents are invited to register to participate in the contest by completing the online form. Printable forms are also available on the City’s website. To sign up and see a map of participating homes, visit: portsnh.co/HolidayLights2025.

This contest is open to all Portsmouth residents. Participants can choose which of the three categories best fits their light display when they complete the online registration form. The three categories are:

• Traditional - A warm, old-time holiday feel (which may invoke nostalgia)
• Modern - A festive display including modern aspects (such as inflatable decorations, LED lights, or projections)
• Kids' Choice - The kids vote for this one

Members of the Citywide Neighborhood Committee and resident families will be the judges, awarding a supermarket gift card prize and an honorable mention for each category. The judging will take place on Dec. 16, and winners will be announced at the Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 City Council meeting.

An anonymous donor has once again committed to donating $10 per entry in the contest to Gather.

In announcing the contest details, Portsmouth Citywide Neighborhood Committee Co-Chair Colleen Ovecka said, “The Holiday Lights Contest always makes the season bright and fun for kids of all ages. Revived during the pandemic as a way to brighten the darkness, the Citywide Neighborhood Committee’s contest continues a wonderful tradition that inspires residents to bring a little joy to Portsmouth neighborhoods through their holiday displays.”