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06/11/2026

The full entertainment lineup is here for Portsmouth’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Festival on Friday, June 19 at the Portsmouth Waterfront.

Enjoy live performances, food vendors, local businesses, art, and community celebration – all FREE and open to the public.

See the full lineup: https://brnw.ch/21x3ft7

Sponsored by the Urban League of Hampton Roads.

06/11/2026

With temperatures rising, several cooling centers are available throughout Portsmouth to provide a safe, air-conditioned place to cool off during operating hours.

Cooling centers are located at Portsmouth libraries, City Hall, the Welcome Center, Behavioral Healthcare Services, Social Services, the Senior Station, and the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center.

💧 Water will be provided.
🐾 Pets are not permitted inside buildings, except for service animals.

View the graphic for locations and hours of operation. Stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, and check on neighbors who may need assistance.

06/10/2026

Three Updates from Last Night’s Council Meeting:

1. Downtown Parking

We continued discussing a new parking plan for downtown, aimed at improving parking availability, updating technology, supporting local businesses, and maintaining accessibility for residents and visitors. Based on public feedback, council and staff continued refining options and identifying areas where additional adjustments may be needed. We expect an ordinance for consideration soon and will continue sharing information as details are finalized.

2. Blighted & Derelict Properties Ordinance

We reviewed a proposed ordinance aimed at addressing blighted and derelict properties. This would add another tool—alongside existing inspections—to encourage property owners to make improvements and maintain safe, well-kept neighborhoods.

3. Government 101 Graduation

We celebrated the graduation of the third cohort of Government 101, a free nine-week program that connects residents and city employees with a deeper understanding of how local government works and how services are delivered. Graduates become great ambassadors for our city and we look forward to continuing the program this fall.

Coming up: An opportunity to engage —

Join our Portsmouth Economic Development for a public information session Thursday at 6 pm at The Mustard Seed Place for updates on the waterfront redevelopment project at Crawford Bay. The project is on track and this meeting is a great way to learn more about what’s ahead.

06/10/2026

Sunset Thursdays at Festival Park keep rolling this week with Soul Intent. Come out and enjoy high-energy R&B, soul, funk and dance hits. Bring a lawn chair or just own the dance floor.

Admission is free, and food and drink will be available for purchase on site. Come on out and start your weekend early!

Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x3dzQ

06/09/2026

𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿! 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 Portsmouth United'𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀--𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀.

06/09/2026

Community Dinner is today.

Come share a meal with us tonight from 6:00–8:00 PM at Mt. Sinai Family Life Christian Center.

Special thanks to our partner Mercy Chefs. Bring your family. Tell a neighbor. Pull up and be part of it.

Today

6:00–8:00 PM

Mt. Sinai Family Life Christian Center

1200 Potomac Ave, Portsmouth, VA

Across from Family Dollar

Stronger together. Better together.

06/05/2026

01/30/2026