Newark Offers Free Parking During Peak Holiday Shopping Period

NEWARK, NJ — The city of Newark this Christmas season is offering free two-hour parking sessions at meters and pay stations.

The free parking period will run from Monday through Dec. 28, the city's parking authority said in a news release. The city will continue collecting parking fees on Dec. 29.

Although two-hour parking is free, the city said it will continue enforcing fines for double-parking, parking in prohibited zones and on street cleaning days. The municipal ban on parking at bus stops and fire hydrants will also be enforced.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said the free parking period helps bolster local businesses during the holiday shopping season.‍

“We are doing this to encourage people to come to and stay in Newark to do their holiday shopping,” Baraka said in a statement. “We have outstanding stores, like the Whole Foods Market in our downtown and the ShopRite in our Central Ward, which can make planning and preparing holiday meals more convenient. Our specialty shops can provide residents and visitors alike with unique gifts and support holiday traditions new and old. I welcome shoppers to our city, hope they enjoy their shopping, and urge them to practice social distancing during this COVID-19 pandemic.”