Free city centre parking on Sundays up to Christmas

Christmas city parking poster

Sheffield City Council is once again embracing the season of good will, with free city centre pay and display parking available all day every Sunday from
17 November to 22 December. 

Christmas kicks off in Sheffield on Sunday 17 November when the city’s lights switch on event welcomes thousands into the city centre. The free city centre parking offer begins on the same day so that visitors can take full advantage. 

All pay and display parking in the city centre will be free on the six Sundays leading up to Christmas: the 17 and 24 November and 1, 8, 15 and 22 December 2019. Privately run car parks are not included in the offer. 

Those using the council’s free city centre parking spaces can simply park up and do not need to get a ticket from the parking machine. 

The offer is part of the wider Sheffield City Centre’s Christmas offer and was developed after discussions with the City’s Retailers Group and supported by The Sheffield Business Improvement District. 

Ben Brailsford, Parking Services Manager at Sheffield City Council said: “We’ve given city centre visitors free parking on Sundays during the Christmas season for the last two years and we’re really pleased to be able to provide this once again. 

“Sundays are the perfect day for people to come in to the city centre for their Christmas shopping, as well as to enjoy all the fantastic events and activities taking place. 

“There are many alternative ways to travel in Sheffield and at this busy time of the year we would encourage people wherever possible to use the bus and tram services running throughout the city, but we understand this is not always doable.

“Through our free parking initiative we hope to support Sheffield's retailers in making the city centre a great place for families to visit during this magical festive period.” 

The city centre is full of activity during November and December including The Christmas Lights Switch On event, Christmas Market and new Alpine bar, Thor’s Tipi Bar, Brearley Bear’s Christmas Trail, late night shopping, fairground rides and much more. This month Sheffield also welcomes the opening of brand new stores for Monki and Weekday, plus a new flagship H&M on the Moor.

Diane Jarvis, BID Manager at Sheffield BID said: "The free Sunday parking provides an additional incentive for visitors to experience Sheffield city centre’s retail, leisure and entertainment offer this Christmas.

"With Sheffield BID’s Christmas Trail taking place between 23 November – 24 December, alongside other events including the Christmas markets and Sheffield Cathedral’s spectacular The Angels Are Coming sound and light show, there’s an exciting programme of festive activity planned in the city.

"In addition to this, new store openings continue to strengthen the city centre’s retail proposition meaning Christmas shopping in the city has never been better." 

Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are two of the busiest days on the festive calendar when many people visit family members, start shopping in the sales, attend local football matches and meet for other social gatherings. Sheffield City Council is funding public transport on these two important dates, to make sure people have travel options and can make the most of the festive holidays.

Details of everything Christmassy in Sheffield can be found at www.sheffield.gov.uk/christmas

 For more information about parking in Sheffield go to https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/parking