Free Valet Parking in Downtown Annapolis During Holidays

The early Christmas gifts keeping coming for Annapolis shoppers.

City officials said Friday that because some parking spots are unavailable during the bulkhead replacement project, holiday shoppers can take advantage of a free, three-hour valet service in downtown Annapolis.

The valet service will be offered Thursday through Sunday from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24:

• Thursdays – 4 p.m. to midnight
• Fridays – 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturdays – noon to 9 p.m.
• Sundays – noon to 5 p.m.

Vehicles can be dropped off at the valet tent, which will be located in Market Space.

Free Circulator Trolley

Meanwhile, the Circulator trolley will be free for Midnight Madness on Dec. 3 and 10, and during the Eleventh Hour shopping event on Dec. 17.

The Circulator trolley will transport holiday visitors from the city’s four parking garages (Hillman, Gott’s, Knighton and Park Place) around the Central Business District.

You can catch the Circulator trolley by simply raising your hand and waving at one of the courteous drivers who will pick you up and shuttle you to the Circulator stop closest to your location.

Three-Hour Free Parking Areas

The city will offer three hours of free parking in downtown Annapolis starting Friday, Nov. 27, through Jan. 1, says a news release. Last year, the city offered two hours of free parking.

The tradition dates back to late Mayor Alfred Hopkins, who started the free holiday parking in the 1990s, Patch previously reported. The goal is to help downtown merchants compete with stores at the Annapolis Mall and the Towne Shopping Centre at Parole—which do not charge for parking.

The three hours of free parking will be available at all bagged parking spots on Main Street, Francis Street, West Street, Maryland Avenue, Prince George Street, City Dock, and Market Space.

The meters at the base of Main Street will only offer 30 minutes of free parking. Drivers are not allowed to leave their car in one spot all day. The posted three-hour time limit on the bag or the 30-minute time limit on the meter will be strictly enforced, city officials said.

»Patch file photo