Annapolis’ free holiday parking program will allow up to three hours of free parking from the day after Thanksgiving through the end of the year, the city announced Wednesday.
Free parking will be available at metered spots in downtown Annapolis from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31. The city does not enforce parking on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Day.
The city has offered up to three hours of free parking through the program since 2015. The city originally announced two hours of free holiday parking this year before changing it back to three hours.
The free parking will be available by downloading a smartphone app called ParkMobile and entering the code “ParkDTA.” The spaces that are eligible to use the ParkMobile app include Main Street, Francis Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, Prince George Street, City Dock, Calvert Street and Market Space.
If drivers do not have a smartphone, they can call 877-727-5758 to unlock the free parking.
Drivers are also eligible to purchase an additional hour of parking.
This year, parking meters will no longer be bagged as they have in the past because the covering interfered with the satellite connection used to update the solar-powered meters, said city spokeswoman Mitchelle Stephenson.
Bags fried several meters downtown after last year’s program, Stephenson said.
As in the past, the city is offering other parking promotions, including three nights in December — Dec. 5, 12 and 19 — where visitors can pay $5 at Knighton and Park Place garages and take a free circulator bus to and from the downtown.
City residents are still welcome to park for free for up to two hours in the city’s four downtown garages, and the city’s Park Shop & Dine program, which offers up to four hours of free parking vouchers from local businesses, will remain in place as well, officials said.
