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First Night Portsmouth

  • Date

    December 31, 2023

  • Time

    2:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Throughout 2023, we’ll celebrate the 400th anniversary of Portsmouth’s founding.
Pro Portsmouth is a proud Program Partner with Portsmouth NH 400,
and excited to ring in the new year of celebrations!

NOTE: Pro Portsmouth does not issue any type of permits for outdoor vending at First Night Portsmouth as it is not a vendor driven event.

Please refer to the City of Portsmouth for Vending Information

History of First Night Portsmouth:
Pro Portsmouth became a member of the First Night Alliance in 1986 when it produced First Night Portsmouth on the Seacoast.

This celebration gives our Community the opportunity to come together as one, reflecting on the year that has passed and looking forward with hope and great anticipation to the year ahead. (And the date – never changes: December 31st)

What is First Night?

First Night revives the ancient traditions of marking the passage of time in a present day context. It was created by a group of civic-minded artists in Boston as a meaningful alternative to traditional New Year’s Eve revelry. Offered to the city as a finale to its Bicentennial events in 1976, First Night Boston also began a new tradition, bringing neighboring communities together through a joint celebration.

Framed as a family-friendly event, First Night is known as the alcohol free, alternative community celebration on December 31st.

Portsmouth became a First Night community in 1986 and we continue to celebrate First Night with fireworks and ice sculpture.

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