As the holiday season descends upon Colorado Springs, a gift of free parking has been announced for shoppers and revelers heading to the heart of the city. Starting on Thanksgiving Day and extending through key shopping dates and community events, the city is eliminating parking fees in Downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City in an effort to support local businesses.
According to the City of Colorado Springs, it was revealed that city-owned garages, parking lots, and metered spaces will be free on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday. The gesture is extended to festive dates, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. According to Alyssa Alt, the City’s Parking Enterprise Director, “We know these holiday times are important to our small businesses in Downtown and Old Colorado City. We want to show our support for these businesses, their owners and customers by offering these free parking specials to encourage people to visit our local businesses during the holidays and Festival of Lights,” as per the City of Colorado Springs.
The parking reprieve also encompasses the Festival of Lights event, where on December 6 from 3-11 p.m., parking will be complimentary in downtown City-owned garages. This move comes as part of the city’s broader initiative to stimulate local commerce during a period when consumer spending is traditionally heightened.
For those planning their holiday outings, the dates to take advantage of free parking are as follows: Thanksgiving on November 27, Black Friday on November 28, Small Business Saturday on November 29, and during the Festival of Lights on Saturday, December 6, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The season’s parking perks wrap up with Christmas Eve on December 24, Christmas Day on December 25, and New Year’s Day on January 1, 2026. Each of these offerings aims to provide a hassle-free experience for locals and visitors alike, to enjoy the festivities and the local shopping scene without the worry of parking costs.
