Hartford Launches Holiday Trolley and Free Downtown Parking

The Hartford for the Holidays campaign adds a holiday trolley, free parking at four downtown lots, and printed visitor guides this season.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Ice Shows

Hartford Launches Holiday Trolley and Free Downtown Parking

Hartford business and city leaders, including the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, the Hartford Business Improvement District, and the city, announced a holiday-themed trolley, free downtown parking on select dates, and printed visitor guides. The announcement was made Friday at The Bushnell as part of the Hartford for the Holidays campaign.

Why it matters

The campaign is intended to attract visitors and support local businesses during the holiday season. It promotes the city's shopping, dining, and cultural attractions alongside the Winterfest Hartford season opening in Bushnell Park.

Winterfest Hartford's Bushnell Park rink operates Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with free skating lessons on Dec. 5, 12, 19 and Jan. 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. The four free-parking lots are at 180 Allyn St., 1000 Main St., 300 Market St., and 185/201 Pearl St., though the total visitor target is not specified.

The players

Hartford Chamber of Commerce

The Hartford Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organization that co-organizes the Hartford for the Holidays campaign and funds its signage and printed marketing.

LAZ Parking

LAZ Parking is a national parking management company that partners with the Hartford Business Improvement District to operate the free-parking lots during the holiday campaign.

The details

A new holiday-themed trolley will carry passengers between downtown destinations Dec. 18-20, supported by the Richard P. Garmany Fund. Printed holiday guides include maps of activities, restaurants, shopping, and parking, and the chamber is funding directional signs and marketing materials.

Nov. 27: Winterfest Hartford opens its 16th season in Bushnell Park.
Nov. 28: Free parking begins at four downtown lots.
Dec. 6, 13, 20: Free parking days at four downtown lots.
Dec. 18-20: Holiday trolley carries passengers between downtown destinations.

Season Trajectory

The holiday campaign builds on Winterfest Hartford, which opens its 16th season in Bushnell Park on Nov. 27. Pairing the rink's opening with downtown trolley service and free parking extends the event's reach beyond the park itself.

Visitors can reach downtown destinations by trolley Dec. 18-20 and park free at four lots on select dates. Printed guides with maps of activities, restaurants, shopping, and parking are available to help plan a visit.

The takeaway

Plan downtown visits around the free-parking dates and the Dec. 18-20 trolley to make the most of the holiday season. Check the printed guides for maps of nearby activities before you go.