PORTSMOUTH – The 30th independently-organized Portsmouth Halloween Parade steps off from Peirce Island at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.
The public is advised that there will be significant traffic delays in the parade route area as it passes and motorists are strongly urged to seek alternate routes away from affected streets.
Parking and vehicular travel on certain streets in the City will be prohibited due to the Parade. On-street parking is banned along the parade route, including Marcy Street onto Daniel Street into Market Square, from Congress to Fleet Street, Fleet Street to State Street, then State Street and back to Prescott Park. The parking ban will last from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the street closures from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Residents, business owners, and employees located inside this route are advised that no vehicles will be permitted to cross the parade route. Other areas in and around the event will have restricted entry or exit, including the off-street “old post office” lot on Daniel Street. All vehicles in violation of the “no parking” areas as of 5 p.m. will be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.
Public parking is available at the Hanover and Foundry Place Garages, Worth Lot, and Bridge Street Lot, where normal rates apply.
The City of Portsmouth is providing ADA van-accessible parking in the Prescott Park parking lot near Memorial Bridge for the evening of the Halloween Parade. For details on this and other tips on community accessibility, visit: accessnavigators.com/portsmouth-nh.
The following streets will be closed or restricted to local traffic only beginning at 6 pm. Police officers, signs, and barricades will be in place for these streets:
• Marcy Street – from Hancock Street to State Street and under the bridge to Daniel Street
• Daniel Street – from Bow Street to Market Square
• Bow Street – from Daniel to Market Street
• Market Street – from Hanover Street to Market Square
• Fleet Street – from Hanover Street to State Street
• Congress Street – from Market Street to Maplewood Avenue
• Pleasant Street – from Court Street to Market Square
• State Street – from Fleet Street to Marcy Street
• Porter Street – from Fleet Street to Pleasant Street