Carbondale offering free downtown parking through Jan. 4
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — The City of Carbondale is offering free short-term parking downtown beginning Thursday, Dec. 11, through Jan. 4, 2026, to accommodate visitors during Southern Illinois University’s fall commencement and to encourage holiday shopping and dining.
City Manager Stan Reno said the initiative aims to make visiting downtown “as easy and welcoming as possible.”
“With SIU’s Fall Commencement bringing families and loved ones to the community and many residents out shopping, dining and enjoying local events, we want to make visiting downtown as easy and welcoming as possible,” Reno said. “This is a great time to support our local businesses; celebrate our graduates and enjoy everything Carbondale has to offer.”
Information on downtown parking, senior permits and other parking passes is available at Parking | Carbondale, IL.
Long-term parking for Amtrak riders is limited to designated areas in the south lot behind City Hall at 200 S. Illinois Ave., the unmetered spaces in Lot 13 south of SIMMS and Lot 19 near Veterans Plaza at 100 S. Washington St.
For additional parking information, contact the Parking Department at 618-457-3265. Media inquiries may be directed to Public Relations Officer Eva Fisher at 618-713-0711.
The city describes Carbondale as “a cultural town, yet free of pretense,” embracing outdoor recreation and urban amenities and welcoming new ideas and experiences.
