Free parking this Christmas!

Free parking will be on offer across Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable to support shoppers and businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

Canterbury

Park and ride at all three sites will be free to motorists arriving from 2pm onwards on Friday 14 November for the city’s Christmas lights switch-on event.

For those staying in the city later, the council is reminding people they can catch ordinary Stagecoach services back to New Dover Road and Sturry Road.

The last Stagecoach bus to Sturry Road leaves the bus station at 11pm.

The last Stagecoach bus to New Dover Road leaves the bus station at 11.35pm.

The last park and ride bus back to Wincheap leaves the park and ride bus stop in the city centre at 7.20pm.

There is also free park and ride at all three sites all day on Sunday 23 November.

Herne Bay

Free Christmas parking to support Sunday shopping, all day at William Street car park on Sunday 7 December, Sunday 14 December (also for the ‘Santas on the Run’ charity event) and Sunday 21 December.

Whitstable

Free Christmas parking all day at Middle Wall and Gorrell Tank car parks on Thursday 4 December, Thursday 11 December and Thursday 18 December following feedback from the town’s businesses that Thursday is the best day to choose for this.

The council’s Director of Place, Bill Hicks, said: “We are really pleased to be bringing back our free Christmas parking once again this year, in support of key festive events and shopping dates across the district.

“We have carefully chosen the dates in order to have the maximum impact and help as many shoppers as possible.

“Everybody knows how special Christmas is in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable and we are determined to support businesses at their most important time of the year.”

Published: 7 November 2025