Cumberland Council is encouraging residents to shop local and support local businesses with free car parking for events.

As Cumberland Council and town councils get ready to light up the county for the festive season, events have been planned to attract visitors and showcase the shops and traders within the area.

Councillor Barbara Cannon, Executive Member for Financial Planning and Assets, added: “The Cumberland area has lots planned on the build-up to Christmas and we encourage local residents and visitors to support the many events planned over the weeks running up to the festivities.

“We also encourage people to shop local and support local businesses.

“We are offering free parking on some key dates, and we hope this serves as an incentive to make a visit to local towns and our city.”

In support of some events, Cumberland Council is providing free parking in the following car parks on these dates:

Keswick

On Friday, November 15, there will be free parking in Central car park from 3pm – 7pm to support the Christmas lights switch on.

On Sunday, December 1, the Central car park will be free to park in from 7am – 7pm to help promote the Victorian Fayre.

Whitehaven

All council-owned car parks will provide free parking on Saturday, November 16, to coincide with the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On and festivities activities.

On the same day the first Eat Street Cumbria festival will take place with food and music.

READ MORE: Eight More Food Vendors Announced For Eat Street Cumbria

Cockermouth

Sunday, November 17, there will be free parking from 1pm – 7pm to support the Christmas lights switch on. The free parking will be available in long stay car parks: Bitterbeck, Riverside, All Saints, Memorial Gardens and Sullart Street.

On Thursday, November 21, and Thursday 28, there will be free parking from 4pm to 7pm to help promote late night shopping. The free parking will be available in long stay car parks: Bitterbeck, Riverside, All Saints, Memorial Gardens and Sullart Street.

Egremont

On Sunday, November 24, the Chapel Street car park will be free all day to support the Christmas Winter Wonderland event.

Carlisle

To coincide with late night shopping, free parking after 3pm in some car parks on Late Night Thursdays:

Bitts Park; Lowther Street; Castle; Caldew Riverside; The Sands; Swifts Bank; Viaduct; Civic Centre and West Walls car parks free parking after 3pm on the following dates: Thursday 28 November, Thursday 5 December, Thursday 12 December and Thursday 19 December.

Workington

The local town council will be taking over Udale Street car park on Friday, November 29, at 12pm to allow set up of their Christmas festival stage, the car park will therefore be closed from 12pm on Friday, November 29, until 7pm on Saturday, November 30,

Free parking will be available from 11am – 7pm on Saturday, November 30, in the following car parks: Allerdale House, Brow Top Annex, Brow Top, Elizabeth Street and Horse Close.

Wigton

From 12pm on Friday, November 29, until the evening at 7pm on Saturday, November 30, Cumberland Council is supporting the local town council by making half of Water Street car park available to be used for fairground rides and various stallholders linked to their Christmas fayre.

Free parking will also be available in all council-owned car parks on Saturday, November 30, from 7am to 7pm.