Oxford Announces 2026 Free Downtown Square Parking Days

At its December 16 regular meeting the Oxford Board of Aldermen voted to establish the days in 2026 when parking will be free in metered spaces and parking lots with kiosks in and around the downtown Square. The policy covers a slate of widely observed holidays, providing no charge for drivers on New Year’s Day January 1, Martin Luther King Jr Day January 19, President’s Day February 16, Good Friday April 3, Memorial Day May 25, Juneteenth National Independence Day June 19, Independence Day July 4, Labor Day September 7, Columbus Day October 12, Veteran’s Day November 11, Thanksgiving Day November 26 and Christmas Day December 25.

The decision was presented as a municipal measure to simplify parking rules on dates when commercial and civic activity follows holiday patterns. For residents and visitors the most immediate effect will be elimination of meter fees and kiosk charges on the listed dates, reducing the cost of short visits to downtown businesses, churches, and municipal offices. That can make the Square more accessible on holidays and may encourage additional foot traffic for retailers and restaurants that are open on those days.

City staff will continue routine parking enforcement outside the specified dates and spaces not part of the downtown metered system will remain subject to their usual rules. For downtown employees and regular permit holders the free days will temporarily open metered spaces that might otherwise serve short term customers, altering day to day parking availability on those dates.

The approval of the 2026 free parking schedule follows standard municipal practice of setting holiday rules in advance to aid planning for residents, merchants and visitors. Residents and guests using the Square are advised to observe posted signage and city communications for any additional rules about parking zones and enforcement, and to plan accordingly on the listed dates.