Parking in a Annapolis’s ­Winter Wonderland

It’s the shopping season, which means downtown Annapolis businesses are busier than ever. Which also means more traffic and more parking challenges.
    Once again, our capital city offers free three-hour parking at meters through January 1 plus a couple of other ways to make holiday shopping and touring more cheerful for both drivers and pedestrians. 
    “Annapolis is known as one of America’s best holiday towns, and we want to make it even better,” said Mayor Michael Pantelides.
    Your options:
    Valet service: Free valet parking downtown through December 24. Drop off your car at the Dock Street island, Thursdays 4pm-midnight, Fridays 4-9pm, Saturdays noon-9pm and Sundays noon-5pm.
    Pedestrian-friendly Main Street:  Main Street between Conduit Street and Church Circle is closed to vehicles from 4pm to midnight for Midnight Madness, December 8 and 15. Vehicles on lower Main Street can leave downtown via Conduit or Francis streets.
    Pre-Pay for garage parking: Reserve and pay in advance for garage parking at the Hillman, Gotts Court or Knighton garages. Gotts and Knighton offer reduced rates of $5 Thursday and Friday between 4pm and 6am and all day Saturday and Sunday. For all reserved parking, you pay a 12 percent convenience fee: www.AnnapolisParking.com.
    Free, three-hour meter parking: Park for three hours free at bagged metered spaces downtown on Main, Francis, West, Prince George and Calvert streets and on Market Space, City Dock and Maryland Avenue.
    Longer Circulator hours: Ride the Circulator free at Midnight Madness, December 8 and 15 from 4pm to midnight. One shuttle runs from West Gate Circle to Church Circle. Another runs from West Gate Circle to City Dock and back to West Street.