Free festive parking weekends set for Braintree and Witham

Beehive Features Desk 2026-10-19 14:51 2 min read

Cars parked on a wet, reflective historic village square in the UK.

Visitors planning a festive trip to Braintree or Witham can park free in council car parks on selected weekends from 14 November to 21 December 2026. The offer is for the general public, with no booking required, and is timed around local Christmas events and shopping. Braintree District Council says charges will be suspended in Braintree for the Christmas Street Market weekend, then for the final four weekends before Christmas; Witham’s five-weekend offer begins on 21 and 22 November.

Free parking dates in Braintree and Witham

In Braintree, council car parks will be free on 14 and 15 November, coinciding with the Braintree Christmas Street Market. After a one-week break, charges will be suspended again for the final four weekends before Christmas.

Free festive parking weekends set for Braintree and Witham

In Witham, free parking runs across the five weekends before Christmas, starting on 21 and 22 November alongside the Witham Christmas Fayre. The council announcement gives the overall offer period as 14 November to 21 December.

The arrangement is intended to make it easier for visitors to attend seasonal events and support town-centre businesses. Funding has also been allocated to Witham and Halstead town councils to support celebrations in those towns.

Braintree events programme is still in development

Braintree District Council is preparing a festive events programme to coincide with the Saturdays when free parking is available. Details are due to be released in early November. Council Leader Tom Cunningham said residents, artists, public-sector partners, charities, community groups and businesses are being involved in planning the events.

The council’s announcement also quotes Deputy Leader Kevin Bowers, who linked the initiative to its OUR Braintree District campaign and its aim of supporting thriving town centres.

What visitors should check before setting off

Free parking applies to council car parks in Braintree and Witham. No booking is required. The announcement does not specify event or parking hours, individual car-park addresses, transport arrangements or accessibility information, so check those details before travelling if they affect your plans.

Source: Braintree District Council News

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The dates, locations and stated parking terms were checked against Braintree District Council’s announcement.

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Checked the Braintree dates against the Christmas Street Market weekend and the stated fou...
Checked that Witham’s five-weekend offer begins on 21 and 22 November.
Kept the missing hours, car-park addresses, transport and accessibility details explicit.

Braintree District Council News Check local event details