Free parking for Christmas shoppers is back in the City of Hamilton.

From December 13 to Christmas Eve, drivers in the city can park free for their first three hours at City Hall Car Park and No 1 Car Park from 8am to 6pm.

Tickets are required as usual when entering either car park – where the usual grace period of 15 minutes free will be adjusted to three hours.

Although there is no charge, tickets must also still be validated at a pay station and scanned on exit to raise the barrier.

A car parked over three hours will pay the usual premium of $16 between three and four hours, and $81 for anything over four hours.

Lost tickets will incur a $75 fee.

City staff and signs will be in place to guide the parking giveaway.

Anyone in difficulty can ring the city’s parking helpline at 531-5252.