Driving a car in New York City can be an expensive activity. Parking prices for sure don’t help. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to find a free parking spot or two.
To find those free street parking spots, here is what you need:
- An understanding of where those spots exist. (Check out this free map!)
- Familiarity with parking rules in NYC so you’ll know that free spot is actually free.
Map of Free Parking
In busy areas like Times Square, Hudson Yards, Midtown Manhattan, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Downtown Brooklyn, most parking spots are metered. However, some free parking options are available, especially during off-peak hours or on certain days. To locate these spots, you can use the SpotAngels map, which updates in real-time. By entering your parking location, expected arrival time, and duration, the map will display available parking spots along with their prices. Green spots indicate free parking.
Additional Tips:
Off-Peak Hours: Parking demand decreases during off-peak hours. Arriving early in the morning or later in the evening may increase your chances of finding free parking.
Free Parking: Free parking is available on Sundays in metered spots. On major holidays, standing and alternate side parking rules are suspended.
Alternate Side Parking: Alternate side parking regulations, which require vehicles to be moved for street cleaning, are suspended on certain holidays. For example, on major holidays like Memorial Day and Independence Day, these rules are typically suspended.
Do you have doubts? Check our map to clear them out!
Pro tip: Some of the metered spots (in blue) might be free of charge as well if you happen to park outside of the metered hours 😉
New York City Parking Rules:
Parking is free on Sunday and during most Holidays!
Additionally, Alternate Side Parking is suspended during all the Holidays. Here they are for 2026:
| Start Date | Parking Holiday | End Date |
| 2026-01-01 | New Year's Day | 2026-01-01 |
| 2026-01-06 | Three King's Day | 2026-01-06 |
| 2026-01-19 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | 2026-01-19 |
| 2026-01-26 | Snow Operations | 2026-01-26 |
| 2026-02-03 | Snow Operations | 2026-02-03 |
| 2026-02-11 | Snow Operations | 2026-02-11 |
| 2026-02-12 | Lincoln's Birthday | 2026-02-12 |
| 2026-02-13 | Snow Operations | 2026-02-14 |
| 2026-02-16 | Lunar New Year’s Eve | 2026-02-16 |
| 2026-02-16 | Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | 2026-02-16 |
| 2026-02-17 | Lunar New Year | 2026-02-17 |
| 2026-02-18 | Ash Wednesday | 2026-02-18 |
| 2026-02-18 | Losar (Tibetan New Year) | 2026-02-18 |
| 2026-03-03 | Purim | 2026-03-03 |
| 2026-03-20 | Eid al-Fitr (Idul-Fitr) | 2026-03-21 |
| 2026-04-02 | Passover | 2026-04-02 |
| 2026-04-02 | Holy Thursday | 2026-04-02 |
| 2026-04-03 | Good Friday | 2026-04-03 |
| 2026-04-08 | Passover (7th/8th Days) | 2026-04-09 |
| 2026-04-09 | Holy Thursday (Orthodox) | 2026-04-09 |
| 2026-04-10 | Good Friday (Orthodox) | 2026-04-10 |
| 2026-05-14 | Solemnity of the Ascension | 2026-05-14 |
| 2026-05-22 | Shavuoth | 2026-05-23 |
| 2026-05-25 | Memorial Day | 2026-05-25 |
| 2026-05-27 | Eid al-Adha (Idul-Adha) | 2026-05-28 |
| 2026-06-19 | Juneteenth | 2026-06-19 |
| 2026-07-03 | Independence Day | 2026-07-04 |
| 2026-07-23 | Tisha B'Av | 2026-07-23 |
| 2026-08-15 | Feast of the Assumption | 2026-08-15 |
| 2026-09-07 | Labor Day | 2026-09-07 |
| 2026-09-12 | Rosh Hashanah | 2026-09-13 |
| 2026-09-21 | Yom Kippur | 2026-09-21 |
| 2026-09-26 | Succoth | 2026-09-27 |
| 2026-10-03 | Shemini Atzereth | 2026-10-03 |
| 2026-10-04 | Simchas Torah | 2026-10-04 |
| 2026-10-08 | Diwali | 2026-10-08 |
| 2026-10-12 | Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day | 2026-10-12 |
| 2026-11-01 | All Saints Day | 2026-11-01 |
| 2026-11-03 | Election Day | 2026-11-03 |
| 2026-11-11 | Veterans day | 2026-11-11 |
| 2026-11-26 | Thanksgiving Day | 2026-11-26 |
| 2026-12-08 | Immaculate Conception | 2026-12-08 |
| 2026-12-25 | Christmas Day | 2026-12-25 |
Want to get free parking recommendations before your meetings? you can connect your calendar to SpotAngels
To know which specific regulations are suspended on these days and find parking on the go, download the award-winning SpotAngels app. It is free 😉
3 Comments
I think only alternative side parking is suspended During Most hokidays
You’re right! In many cities, especially in places like New York, alternate side parking is often suspended on major holidays.
Good