People can park for free during the holidays in some parts of Mississauga

Shoppers and others in Mississauga can once again park on the street for free in specific areas of the city’s lakefront community throughout the holiday season. 

In what has become an annual campaign aimed at helping local businesses that are still feeling the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, on-street parking charges have been waived by the City of Mississauga during December and the first two weeks of January in the Port Credit and Clarkson communities. 

The free parking plan continues until Jan. 15.

The city said earlier the initiative also helps “make holiday shopping and errands more convenient” for city residents and others who venture into Mississauga to shop or complete various tasks.

During the park-for-free campaign, the city bags all pay-and-display machines within the Lakeshore area taking part in the initiative.

The aim, as in past years when pay-and-display parking charges were similarly waived, is to help shops, restaurants and other businesses continue to recover from the devastating financial impact of the pandemic, officials say. 

Port Credit and Clarkson BIAs will once again see parking charges inside their business areas waived in an effort to give businesses a better chance of competing with shopping malls across the city where customer parking is free.   

“The holiday shopping season is important to the success of the Port Credit and Clarkson business improvement areas,” reads an earlier report from senior staff at the City of Mississauga. “The retail members of these BIAs must compete with shopping malls and plazas that do not charge for parking.” 

On-street parking fees are waived during the holiday season in areas both within and outside Port Credit BIA borders, and within the Clarkson BIA borders (see map below). 

Map shows areas of Port Credit and Clarkson where on-street parking fees have been waived through Jan. 15, 2026.

City officials also have other holiday season parking advice to offer.

“With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s good to be prepared,” they said in a news release. “For drivers who are planning on being out and about in the city for shopping or visiting friends and family, here are a few things to keep in mind (see below). Following these simple steps can keep our neighbourhoods, shopping areas and public spaces safe for everyone.”

Mississauga officials say there are a few things for people to know:

• On-street parking on statutory holidays such as Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day is allowed beyond the five-hour limit between 8 a.m. and midnight.
• For those who have guests staying the night and need temporary (or short-term) parking, Mississauga residents can request a temporary parking permit that allows parking on the unsigned portion of a residential street longer than the standard five hours and during the prohibited period between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
• Temporary permits are not valid on private property or where prohibited parking signs are posted.
• On days with heavy snowfall, rules around street parking and temporary/residential parking permits change as the city implements citywide winter parking restrictions. Also, avoid parking in fire routes and near fire hydrants, and use accessible parking only if you have a valid permit.

Mississauga officials stress the importance of people parking their vehicles in places that don’t obstruct snowplows and other winter maintenance equipment city crews use to keep the roads, sidewalks and bottom of driveways cleared.

“Vehicles parked on the road can prevent city crews from being able to clear roads and residential driveway windrows, making it difficult for emergency vehicles, public transit and residents to travel,” the city said.

To help keep parked cars off the street during snowstorms, Mississauga introduced a penalty of $150 for those who park their vehicles on the road when the city is plowing and declares a citywide winter parking restriction.

(Cover photo: City of Mississauga)