New Bedford Launches Early 2025 Holiday Parking Program

New Bedford has officially kicked off its Holiday Parking Program for 2025 earlier than usual. The program offers two hours of free parking at the Elm Street Garage and the Zeiterion Garage downtown. It also provides two hours of free parking at meters along Acushnet Avenue in the North End.

While the program typically begins after Thanksgiving, this year it started early to spur shopping, dining, and retail traffic during the holiday season.

Another feature of the Holiday Parking Program is ticket forgiveness for holiday shoppers and diners. Anyone who receives a parking ticket for an expired meter downtown can be forgiven by presenting a same-day sales receipt for at least $20 from a downtown merchant or restaurant.

According to a NewBedfordGuide.com report, receipts must be presented or mailed to the Traffic Commission Office in the Elm Street Garage within 21 days of receiving the ticket. The parking ticket will be forgiven with the presentation of the same-day receipt.

In the North End, along Acushnet Avenue, drivers who are ticketed for expired meters during the free two hours can have their tickets forgiven in the same way.

The New Bedford Traffic Commission Office is at 51 Elm St. and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those with questions about the Holiday Parking Program can call 508-961-3153.