The City of St. Catharines and St. Catharines Downtown Association are offering free three-hour afternoon parking to encourage people to visit the downtown leading up to the holidays this December as part of its annual parking promotion.

The free holiday parking program runs weekdays from noon to 6 p.m., starting Monday, Dec. 10, and runs through until Friday, Dec. 28.

Visitors can park free for up to three hours in the downtown sector at city-owned on-street metered spots and city-owned parking lots with pay machines.

The City's parking garages at Garden Park, Carlisle Street and Ontario Street are not included as part of the promotion, and fees are still applied to special event parking at lots located at Head Street, Race Street, Garden Park and IceDogs Way during events at the Meridian Centre and the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.

For more information, visit: stcatharines.ca/parking.