Carbondale Alerts
Free Short-Term Parking in Downtown Carbondale Dec.11, 2025 through Jan. 4, 2026
CARBONDALE -
Beginning today, December 11, 2025 through January 4, 2026 the City of Carbondale is offering free short-term parking in the downtown area.
We welcome visitors downtown for SIU’s Fall Commencement ceremony as well as encourage visitors to shop, dine, and explore our downtown during the Holiday season.
City Manager Stan Reno said, “The City is excited to offer free parking in downtown Carbondale during this holiday season. 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. This is a great time to support our local businesses, celebrate our graduates and enjoy everything Carbondale has to offer.”
For more information on parking, senior permits, and other downtown parking passes visit: https://www.explorecarbondale.com/396/Parking.
Long term parking for Amtrak is limited to designated areas located in the south lot behind City Hall at 200 S Illinois Ave, the unmetered spaces in Lot 13 (just south of SIMMS), and Lot 19 near Veteran’s Plaza at 100 S Washington St.
For more information contact the parking department at 618-457-3265.
For media requests contact Public Relations Officer, Eva Fisher, at 618-713-0711.
“Carbondale prides itself on providing its visitors, students, businesses and residents with a unique mix of edge and ease. It’s a cultural town, yet free of pretense, embracing the great outdoors as readily as urban sophistication. Here, we are open to new ideas, experiences and cultures, so you are encouraged to both express yourself and be yourself, in all ways. That’s Carbondale…All Ways Open…for family, fun, business, new ideas and a bright tomorrow.”
# # #