Some councils across Kent will offer free parking during the Christmas period to help draw in shoppers and support local businesses.

Here is a list of what each authority will offer – or not, in some cases – to help you decide where to leave your vehicle while out and about this festive season.

Ashford district

Shoppers will be able to park for free at all council-owned car parks in Ashford and Tenterden during the Christmas period.

Parking will be free all day on:

Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8

Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15

Free parking is already offered at the following car parks:

Edinburgh Road multi-storey car park (free after 3pm Monday-Saturday and free all day Sundays)

Elwick Place car park (free every day after 3pm)

Flour Mills car park (free on Sundays and bank holidays)

Station Road car park (free after 3pm and on Sundays and bank holidays)

Bridewell Lane car park in Tenterden (free on Sundays and bank holidays)

Canterbury district

While the cathedral city will not offer free parking for Christmas shoppers per se, certain places will be open at no charge for special Christmas events.

William Street car park in Herne Bay will be free on Sunday, December 15 for those in Santa get-up for the Run Pilgrims Hospice charity event.

Whitstable’s Middle Wall and Gorrell Tank car parks will be free from 3pm on today (Saturday, November 30) for the town’s Christmas light switch-on event.

Cabinet member for tourism, transport and rural champion Cllr Alex Ricketts said: “We wanted to do our bit too so that as many people as possible enjoy the magic and see what the city and our coastal towns have to offer this year.”

Dartford district

Dartford Borough Council will be offering free parking at Acacia and Mansion House car parks on Thursdays and Saturdays (in addition to the usual Sundays) during December.

A council spokesperson added: “We will still be checking that people are parking safely and within the bays, so that everyone can do their Christmas shopping without interruptions.”

Dover district

Dover District Council (DDC) will provide complimentary parking for Christmas light switch-on events and is also offering a special deal across all its car parks for the final two weeks of the year.

Parking will be free in DDC car parks in Sandwich from 4pm today (Saturday, November 30) for the town’s Christmas lights turn-on event.

Spots will also be free of charge in DDC car parks in Dover on Saturday, December 7 for the Winter Light-up event.

From December 14 to January 1, the authority is also offering an extra one hour of free parking when a minimum of one hour parking is purchased.

A council statement added: “This comes as the district continues to encourage people to shop local and enjoy the great range of shops, attractions and fantastic places to eat and drink across White Cliffs Country, as we get ready for a range of activities this festive season.”

Folkestone district

Free parking will be available in Folkestone and Hythe District Council car parks and on-street pay and display bays on the three Saturdays leading up to Christmas.

This means there will be no charge to park on Saturday, December 7, 14 and 21.

Limited waiting and controlled parking zone restrictions are still in place on these days.

Cabinet member for transport, regulatory services and building control ,Cllr Polly Blakemore, said: “With Christmas just around the corner, the time is right to announce this year's seasonal free parking.

“We've got a huge range of independent traders and makers across the district, as well as big brands, making it ideal for finding that perfect present and getting your Christmas shopping done.”

Gravesham district

Parking in Gravesham is and will continue to be free for two hours on Saturday and all day Sunday in the following car parks:

Parrock Street

Rathmore Road

Milton Place

Ordnance Road

West Street

Maidstone district

Maidstone Borough Council does not have any plans to offer free parking during the Christmas period.

A council statement said: “Maidstone Borough Council car parks are competitively priced and continue to offer excellent value for money throughout the festive period.

“Our car parks are ideally placed close to the shops to support visitors to the town centre.”

Medway district

There are no free parking schemes in Medway this Christmas. However, there will be two free bus weekends this December - Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15, and Saturday, 21 and Sunday, 22.

On these days residents and visitors will be able to ride any local bus service within Medway or starting in Medway for free until 8pm on both days. Normal fares will apply after this time.

Passengers travelling to Kent will need to pay normal fares on the return journey.

Sevenoaks district

Sevenoaks District Council is not offering any special Christmas parking, but shoppers can park for free parking every weekend at the council offices in Gordon Road, a short walk from Sevenoaks town centre.

Swale district

Swale – which covers Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Faversham – does not have any plans to offer free parking over the Christmas period.

Thanet district

Thanet District Council is offering free parking in the Alpha Road Car Park, Birchington, every Saturday in December.

Free parking is available year round, every Saturday at:

Mill Lane Car Park – Margate (open 7am-7pm)

Harold Road Car Park – Cliftonville

St Peter’s Park Road Car Park – Broadstairs

Cannon Road Car Park – Ramsgate

Tonbridge & Malling district

Tonbridge and Malling council has no plans for special free parking over the Christmas period but does offer free 30 min parking year-round at the following lots:

Bradford Street

Castle Grounds

Kinnings Row

Lamberts Yard

River Lawn

Upper Castle Field

There is also free 1-hour parking at on-street bays in West Malling and parking is currently free all day in Martin Square lot in Larkfield, pending the installation of ticket machines.

Tunbridge Wells district

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council does not have any plans to offer free parking during the Christmas period.