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Annapolis: Free downtown holiday parking is back!

Annapolis: Free downtown holiday parking is back!

ANNAPOLIS, MD. – The city of Annapolis will bring back free holiday parking; two hours at metered parking lots/kiosks and one hour at the Hillman Garage using the ParkMobile app. The popular program takes place between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Combined with other free parking options downtown (Residents Park Free and Park, Shop & Dine), residents and visitors have every reason to do all of their holiday shopping and dining right here in historic downtown Annapolis!

PARKING PROGRAMS:

  • Free parking on vacation: Park at any metered lot or kiosk in downtown Annapolis, use the ParkMobile app and get two hours free. You have the option to extend your time at the regular rate. Park at Hillman Garage (145 Gorman Street), use the ParkMobile app and the first hour is free. To download ParkMobile, visit the App Store on your iOS or Android smartphone and search for “ParkMobile.” Drivers without a smartphone can use the dial-in number 877-727-5758 for free holiday parking. Provide the tag number and parking zone code. Please note: Parking controls remain in effect for expired parking meters.
  • Residents park for free: City of Annapolis residents can receive codes good for two hours of free parking at the city’s downtown parking garages: Gotts, Knighton, Park Place and Hillman. Proof of residence must be presented. Visit for more information.
  • Park, shop and eat: Visitors can park for free in the garage at Gotts, Knighton, Park Place and Hillman for two hours by shopping or dining at designated stores and picking up validation coupons. The full list of downtown restaurants and shops (and validation information) can be found via this link.

The free holiday parking program begins Friday, November 29th and runs through New Year’s Day. There will be no checks at the meters on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28th, Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th, and New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1st.

Barrier-free parking space: If you have a disabled license plate or a disabled license plate, you are allowed to park on the street for twice as long as posted. In accordance with federal law, accessible parking is available in all of the city’s parking garages (Hillman, Gotts, Knighton and Park Place). Additional accessible parking spaces on the street are marked as accessible.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING: All council-owned workshops (Park Place, Knighton, Gotts and Hillman) have electric vehicle charging points. Learn more:

Midnight madness: During Midnight Madness on December 5th, 12th and 19th, visitors to downtown Annapolis can park for $5 at Knighton and Park Place and take the FREE Magenta Shuttle downtown (and back to the parking garages). Additionally, the Calvert Street Garage at 19 St. Johns Street is free every week from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Visitors to Midnight Madness should therefore take advantage of this convenient parking option. Find it online here. During Midnight Madness, the city will offer expanded Magenta shuttle service. On these days, two shuttles will run from Park Place via West Street to City Dock from 4:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Track the shuttle’s location in real time by downloading the RLS Shuttle app on your smartphone and selecting “Annapolis.”

SMALL BUSINESS SAMSDAY (November 30th) and GRAND ILLUMINATION (December 1st): Held each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday invites customers to support small and local businesses as the holiday shopping season begins. The Grand Illumination is the annual tree lighting ceremony held each year near the Market House on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Join Mr. and Mrs. Claus as they arrive to light the tree. The free event begins at 4 p.m. with performances and Christmas carols. Fleet Street, Cornhill Street and Market Space will be closed during the Grand Illumination. Learn more: www.downtownannapolispartnership.org/grand-illumination.

For more information, contact the City’s parking vendors during business hours: SP+ (443) 648-3087 (Park Place, Gotts and Knighton Garages and street parking in all areas of the City outside of historic downtown) and Premium Parking (410) 216- 5620 (Hillman Garage and street parking in historic downtown). Frequently asked questions about parking while on vacation can be found here.