City of Portsmouth Plans 250th Anniversary Independence Day Fireworks and Laser Show Celebration for July 3, 2026

PORTSMOUTH – As communities across the country commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the City of Portsmouth will mark the occasion with its annual Independence Day celebration on Friday, July 3, 2026, at South Mill Pond, with a rain date of Sunday, July 5. The alcohol-free, family-friendly event is sponsored by Wilcox Industries and will feature a new laser show sponsored by Key Auto Group of Portsmouth in addition to the annual fireworks display.

Portsmouth’s deep colonial and Revolutionary-era roots make this year’s celebration a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the City’s place in the nation’s founding story. The event is dedicated to honoring veterans and begins at Leary Field at 1:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies, followed by live music from Black Sheep, Texas Pete, and the Redemption Band, along with food trucks and family activities. At approximately 9 p.m., Ally White will sing the National Anthem, followed by the Independence Day fireworks and laser show at 9:15 p.m.

Due to special conditions associated with this event, Portsmouth Police Chief Mark Newport has enacted temporary no parking regulations for the following streets and parking lots starting at 12 pm on Thursday, July 3. Drivers are urged to follow street-level signs. Any vehicles that remain parked in these areas will be ticketed and towed at the vehicle owner’s expense: 

 

 

 

Beginning at 6 am on Friday, July 3, 2026, all South Mill Pond recreation facilities will be closed to accommodate the fireworks and laser light show set up. The tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, dog park, playground, baseball fields, and the Junkins Avenue parking lot will all be closed. Vehicles left in the parking lot will be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense due to safety concerns related to fireworks operations.

Parrott Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 7 p.m. and Junkins Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic at 8 p.m. Recreation areas around South Mill Pond will reopen at dawn the following day. In the event of a rain delay, the closure times will be the same for July 5.

A limited amount of ADA-accessible parking will be available in the Public Library lot on Parrott Avenue. Attendees may access this lot until 7 p.m. when Parrott Avenue closes to vehicular traffic. The Foundry Garage will charge a $10 prepaid entry fee, and the Hanover Parking Garage will charge a $15 prepaid entry fee. To take advantage of this pre-pay rate, individuals must arrive at the garage between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the day of the fireworks.