As the producers of First Night® Portsmouth, Children’s Day, Market Square Day, and Summer in the Street, WE ARE PRO PORTSMOUTH – and we hope you’ll join us with your support.

OUR HISTORY:  In 1977, a small group of residents started a grassroots effort to celebrate the revitalization of the City’s downtown.   Pro Portsmouth began with its now signature event – Market Square Day – and we’ve been bringing local arts, music, and fun to the streets ever since.  Today, we are proud to say that we are the only organization in the city whose sole purpose is to create downtown destination events.

OUR MISSION: We are a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the vitality of Portsmouth’s arts, culture, and history through events and community collaboration.

OUR IMPACT: The impact of Pro Portsmouth events in the community is quite astounding.  Each year, over 125,000 people attend our events, generating $3.5 million annually for our local economy; in addition, hundreds of community members sign on as volunteers to produce the events. Equally important to note, but tough to measure: the number of folks taking part in these events as part of the local tradition, passing the experiences on to their children and grandchildren.

DID YOU KNOW? Pro Portsmouth’s events are 100% community-funded. This means that businesses   large and small, as well as individuals, represent the financial backbone of our organization.  Without support from community members like you, Pro Portsmouth would not be able to offer these events.

With few exceptions, our programming is free.  From the ice sculptures and fireworks during First Night® Portsmouth to activities offered during Children’s Day, the downtown festival on Market Square Day, and the musical performances enjoyed by all during Summer in the Street, we charge no admission and require no membership. Residents and visitors alike have come to expect these annual Portsmouth events, but covering the cost has become a challenge.  We need your help!

With your gift, you can be an integral part of bringing arts and culture to the Seacoast community.  All donations directly benefit the efforts of Pro Portsmouth to promote the arts, culture, history, and community of Portsmouth.  Please join us at one of these giving levels:

ARTS $500
Pro Portsmouth literally brings the arts to you! Your donation will help us to support the artists, musicians and performers who create for and entertain us at Market Square Day, First Night® Portsmouth, Children’s Day, and Summer in the Street.

Culture $250
Throughout the year, Pro Portsmouth events offer an open door to visitors as they explore all that makes our city unique: our food, our music, our regional Seacoast flavor.  We love to share the crazy quilt, eclectic vibe of all that is Portsmouth!

History $100
Over the past 38 years, Pro Portsmouth events have become a tradition in celebrating our city.  Today, from the Portsmouth historic walk on Market Square Day to our collaborations with Portsmouth’s historic houses and buildings, Pro Portsmouth events immerse visitors in the history of our city on the Piscataqua.

COMMUNITY $
With the support of community members like you, Pro Portsmouth creates the largest events in town at our featured venue: Market Square, the heart of our neighborhood. This is possible only through the support of community members like you.  Join us – and be Pro Portsmouth!