Comedy and Yuletide Song Brighten Pre-Christmas Weekend

As most city residents know, there is never a shortage of fun things to do or places to go in Portsmouth. Each Friday, we will offer five suggestions for people who are planning out their weekends.

1. Merry Funny New England Christmas: Juston McKinney will lead a troupe of comedians on the Music Hall stage to inject some humor into the holiday season with "A Merry Funny New England Christmas" at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 and $28 are still available.

2. Plaid Tidings at the Rep: "Plaid Tidings," a fusion of "Forever Plaid" and the holiday season, will be performed at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre for one more weekend. Check out the Rep's web site for show times and ticket prices.

3. Vintage Christmas: This weekend, Portsmouth's Vintage Christmas begins in earnest with several events including Strawbery Banke's Candlelight Stroll, seasonal Christmas trolleys downtown, Victorian-era Carolers and other events.

4. Free downtown parking: Beginning on Dec. 14, the city will offer free downtown parking at all metered spaces for the holiday season until Jan. 2. City residents and visitors can still get a ticket if they leave their vehicle in a metered space beyond the regularly allotted time period.

5. Don't miss Martin England: Martin England and the Reconstructed will play their brand of Americana music at the Press Room on Saturday at 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover charge.