Enjoy free holiday parking in December with HONK

Heading Downtown or to Port Dalhousie this December? Residents and visitors can enjoy up to three hours of free weekday parking at City of St. Catharines on-street spaces, surface lots, and the Ontario Street Parking Garage by using the HONK Mobile app.

From Monday, Dec. 1 to Wednesday, Dec. 24, the City of St. Catharines is partnering with St. Catharines Downtown Association to offer free weekday parking at on-street spaces, hourly surface lots, and the Ontario Street Parking Garage – up to the three-hour limit. Visitors to Port Dalhousie, can also redeem up to three hours of free parking at on-street HONK zones.

Free parking can be accessed between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. by using the HONK app and entering the holiday parking promo code HOHOHONK at checkout.

The HONK Mobile app provides a convenient and secure way to manage parking. Users can search for available locations, pay directly from their device, and extend their parking session without needing coins, cards, or printed receipts. Credit card information is not required to access the promotion.

“In the past, three hours of free parking has been limited to afternoon use only. The HONK app has allowed us to expand the annual free holiday parking promotion to any time during the weekday by giving the City more flexibility to provide parking options that weren’t feasible before,” says Danielle Clement, the City’s parking supervisor.

Those using the free parking promotion must still follow the three-hour time limit. For longer stays, the Garden Park / Carlisle Street Parking Garage and Ontario Street Parking Garage offers regular paid parking options.

While the HONK app has been successfully used over the years at City lots and the Ontario Street garage, and its use continues to grow, the City and downtown association also understand new users may require assistance. Those requiring support can visit City Hall, at 50 Church St. and the Downtown Association office, at 80 King St.

St. Catharines Downtown Association executive director Kat Dodge says they want every visitor to feel welcome and cared for when visiting the downtown core this season, adding the association and its members are excited about the expansion of the promotion period.

“Extending this year’s holiday parking promotion is something our businesses have been asking for, and the City has worked closely with us to make it happen. It’s meant to help people stay longer, relax, and enjoy the downtown,” said Dodge.

Parking at City lots, garages, and on-street spaces remains free from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily, except during special event parking periods.

Learn more about parking in St. Catharines at www.stcatharines.ca/parking