The City of Melbourne is offering free parking to encourage people to come into the city this Moomba long weekend, enjoy the festival and rediscover the delights of the CBD.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp urged people to take advantage of the free parking as the City of Melbourne pulls out all stops to support local businesses recovering from the impacts of COVID-19.

“There will be a carnival atmosphere in the city and offering free parking is another way to reduce the cost of coming into the city to enjoy all the COVID-safe activities we have on offer as part of Moomba,” the Lord Mayor said.

“My message to all Victorians is don’t miss out – the city will be filled with floral displays, buskers filling the streets with sound and star performances at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.”

“We’ve booked out all 40,000 free tickets to the Moomba Carnival at Alexandra Gardens, with families snapping up the chance to enjoy rides like the Dodgem Cars and the Ferris wheel.”

City Activation Lead, Councillor Roshena Campbell, said temporary free parking would allow Victorians to enjoy a long weekend filled with the art, culture, food and shopping for which Melbourne is famous.

“This long weekend we want people from regional Victoria and across Melbourne to park in the city for free and enjoy some of the world’s best bars, restaurants, shops, galleries and theatres,” Cr Campbell said.

“Free parking will also provide a vital boost to city traders facing tough conditions. Shopkeepers and restauranteurs are the heartbeat of our city and we know they need our support now more than ever. That’s why we are doing all we can to bring visitors to the city this long weekend.”

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There are still tickets available for the Sidney Myer Music Bowl to see The Cat Empire, Vika and Linda and the Kids at the Bowl event with Jimmy Giggle, Justine Clarke, Dan Sultan and Pevan & Sarah.

Major buildings will be lit in in red to encourage everyone to show their love for Melbourne and floral tributes will be installed at Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Town Hall, Flinders Street Station and the State Library of Victoria.

The festival will also show its love for Melbourne with a light installation of a gigantic beating heart placed before the city’s skyline along the banks of the Yarra on the Upper Terrace of Birrarung Marr.

Parking in areas with green signs will be free from midday Friday 5 March 2021 to 11.59pm Monday 8 March 2021 inclusive. Drivers will still need to observe the time limit on the green signs.

On-street parking within the central city is normally $7 an hour, and $4 an hour outside the central city. There are 11,408 fee parking bays in the municipality.

Parking time limits, disabled parking restrictions, clearways, no standing zones and residential permit restrictions still apply and will be enforced so that everyone has the opportunity to park.

For information on the festival visit: https://moomba.melbourne.vic.gov.au