Twelve Weymouth car parks are free on Saturday 28 November, Saturday 5 December and Tuesday 22 December, including Swannery and Lodmoor. Updated November 2026.
Parking is free in twelve Weymouth town centre car parks on Saturday 28 November, Saturday 5 December and Tuesday 22 December.
The three days are paid for by a partnership between Weymouth Town Council and Dorset Council, the town council announced on 12 November. Each one falls on a day when something is happening in the town centre.
| Date | What is on |
|---|---|
| Saturday 28 November | Christmas lights switch-on, 5pm, New Bond Street, with an elf parade and world record attempt earlier in the day |
| Saturday 5 December | Small Business Saturday, then Carols by the Coast at 5pm around the Christmas tree in New Bond Street |
| Tuesday 22 December | Last shopping days before Christmas |
Which car parks are free
The offer covers the town centre car parks run by Dorset Council. The town council lists these twelve:
- Cosens Quay
- Governors Lane
- Harbourside
- Melcombe Regis
- North Quay
- Park Street
- Pavilion
- Pavilion Forecourt
- Royal Yard
- Swannery
- Nothe Car Park
- Lodmoor Car Park
On any other day the normal Dorset Council parking charges apply.
Saturday 28 November: the lights go on
The Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr David Harris, switches on the town’s Christmas lights at 5pm in New Bond Street.
The switch-on falls on the same day as an elf parade and an elf world record attempt, organised by We Are Weymouth, the town’s business improvement district. The day’s timings, from the 9am craft workshops to the 1.15pm parade, are in our Dorset Christmas lights switch-on dates.
Saturday 5 December: Small Business Saturday and carols
The second free day is Small Business Saturday, the national day that asks people to shop at small and independent businesses.
The town council calls it “a great opportunity for members of the public to support the range of small businesses that are a key part of Weymouth’s retail offer”.
At 5pm the Mayor and the Salvation Army Band lead Carols by the Coast around the Christmas tree in New Bond Street. Other carol services across the county are in our list of Dorset carol services.
Tuesday 22 December: last-minute shopping
The final free day is the Tuesday before Christmas. The council says it gives people the chance to visit Weymouth’s shops “just before Christmas and carry out any last-minute preparations ahead of Christmas Day”.
What the council said
Cllr Ryan Hope chairs the town council’s Environment and Services Committee.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Dorset Council again to offer selected dates for free parking in Weymouth town centre,” he said.
“As well as supporting the Christmas Lights Switch On, Small Business Saturday, and our Carols by the Coast event, the free parking dates will provide a welcome boost for the town and encourage more people to spend time in Weymouth and support our local businesses and the hospitality industry in the run up to Christmas.”
What it means for you
- Parking is free in the twelve car parks above on Saturday 28 November, Saturday 5 December and Tuesday 22 December.
- The switch-on and Carols by the Coast both start at 5pm in New Bond Street, on two of the free days.
- On every other day, including the other Saturdays in December, normal Dorset Council charges apply.
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