All the places you can park for free in Lancashire to get your Christmas shopping done
Christmas shoppers across Lancashire will once again be able to take advantage of free parking as councils roll out festive offers aimed at boosting high streets during one of the busiest retail periods of the year.
From Preston to Morecambe, Chorley to Wyre, a wide range of town centre car parks will offer free sessions throughout November and December – giving families more reason to shop local and support independent businesses.
Preston: Free parking across four city centre car parks
Preston City Council is offering free parking at Penny Street and Trinity Square at selected times from November 22 to December 24.
The offer includes all-day parking on several Sundays, free afternoons from 3pm on weekdays, and earlier free periods on the final days before Christmas.
Lancashire County Council is matching the initiative with free parking at Preston Bus Station and Arthur Street, with similar dates and slightly later “free from” times starting at 4pm on weekdays.
The University of Central Lancashire is also joining the festive scheme, offering free parking across its city centre car parks from 3pm on most weekdays, all day on Sundays, and all day from December 22 to December 24.
There is no maximum stay during any of the free periods.
Wyre: Free Fridays and Saturdays throughout December
Wyre Council will provide up to three hours of free parking (two hours in Cleveleys) every Friday and Saturday between November 28 and December 20.
Additional four-hour free sessions will support local Christmas lights switch-ons:
- November 22 – Cleveleys
- November 24 – Garstang
- November 29 – Fleetwood
- December 5 – Poulton
Councillor Roger Berry said the extended offer aims to “encourage residents to shop local and support our towns” during what can be a financially pressured time of year.
Fylde: Three full weekends of free parking
All Fylde Council car parks will be completely free to use across three weekends:
- December 6–7
- December 13–14
- December 20–21
The council says the aim is to make festive shopping “stress-free” while supporting businesses across Lytham, St Annes and Kirkham.
Ribble Valley: Free Saturday parking in Clitheroe and Longridge
Free parking will be available from 9.30am on Saturdays December 6, December 13, and December 20 at four main car parks:
- Lowergate
- Market
- Railway View (council offices)
- Barclay Road (Longridge)
Council leader Simon Hore said the long-running festive initiative has been a “great success” in encouraging people to visit the borough’s independent shops and markets.
Lancaster and Morecambe: Free after 3pm and Sunday offers
Lancaster City Council will provide free parking in all town centre pay-and-display car parks, including the extended St Nics multi-storey.
In Lancaster, drivers can park free after 3pm from December 22 to December 24, with the offer lasting until 8am the following morning.
Free all-day Sunday parking is also available from November 30 to December 21.
In Morecambe, free all-day parking will be available on December 20 and December 21, alongside the “free after 3pm” sessions from December 22 to December 24.
The offers were shaped in consultation with the area’s Business Improvement Districts, who say earlier free parking has a greater impact on shopper numbers.
Chorley: Free short-stay parking from December 8 to December 24
Chorley Council will offer:
- 2 hours free at Flat Iron car park
- 3 hours free at all other council-run town centre car parks
The offer runs from December 8 to December 24, and shoppers must still display a time-of-arrival ticket.
Council leader Alistair Bradley said the initiative is designed to make it easier for people to “shop local and enjoy everything Chorley has to offer.”