Free Downtown Parking Through Jan. 1

Parking in downtown Portsmouth will be free from Mon., Dec. 16 through Wed., Jan. 1.

It's part of the city's annual free parking program for the holidays.

Here's more information from the city:

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The traditional free holiday parking period at downtown Portsmouth meters will run from Monday, Dec. 16 through Wednesday, Jan. 1., 2014.

The City Council has authorized the Parking and Transportation Division to forego parking meter collection enforcement during the holiday period.  Parking Enforcement Officers will continue to enforce the posted time limits at the metered spaces as well as other parking violations, such as unauthorized parking in handicapped spaces or in loading zones.

Parking meters will display cards inside the meter window that say: “Season’s Greetings - Free Parking” and indicate the time limit for that parking space.

Holiday shoppers and visitors wishing to spend more time downtown than is allowed on the meters are encouraged to use the High-Hanover Parking Garage at 34 Hanover Street where parking is free for the first hour and 75 cents per hour afterward. Residents may also park free there on Sundays.

Several downtown merchants belong to the Downtown Parking Validation Program that allows them to provide their customers with up to four hours of free parking at the High-Hanover Garage. Participating merchants display a blue sticker with letter "P" in their storefront windows.