The Dunedin City Council has announced about 300 on-street car parks in the city centre will become free between December 22 and 24.
Council parking services team leader Carol Gray said being able to park in the centre city free of charge in the days leading up to Christmas had become "somewhat of a holiday tradition".
The free parking "gift" would apply to on-street meters and be identified with a sticker.
A council spokesman said the public would be able to identify them from their festive design.
"They look like a Santa belt. They’ll be bright red with the words ‘Free Parking’ on them," he said.
Maximum time limits would still apply and infringement notices may still be issued if a vehicle overstayed.
A map is available on the council website, and fully covers the Octagon, Bath St and Moray Pl.
Filleul St, Great King St and George St (from the Octagon to Hanover St) and part of Princes St from Rattray St northwards would be covered under the offer.
The new parks in the recently reopened Farmers Block are free by default, although have time restrictions.
Parking is also free for all public parking across the city from December 25 to 27.
