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Downtown Austin Alliance debuts free parking pilot program

Austinites patronizing participating businesses can get free or discounted parking in two Downtown garages now through the end of April.

February 23, 2026 • 
Laura Figi
Building with a vibrant, vertical rainbow mural on the corner, surrounded by city structures. A parking sign in the foreground points left. Clear sky.

Parking Downtown just got a little bit easier. | Photo courtesy Downtown Austin Alliance

Get ready to park it. Over the next 10 weeks, patrons at participating Downtown businesses will be eligible to receive free or discounted parking as part of the Downtown Patron Parking Pilot.

The partnership between the Downtown Austin Alliance and Austin Convention Center is meant to boost accessibility to nearby businesses during the convention center’s redevelopment.

Visitors at participating businesses will be able to receive two hours free validated parking (or discounted parking for longer visits) at Second Street Garage and Fifth Street Garage all day Sunday-Thursday and until 4 p.m. Friday + Saturday.

Participating businesses include Antone’s Nightclub, Revolución, Nica on 4th, El Cockfight, Elephant Room, The Creek and The Cave, HokkaiSan, Skipjack Oyster, Speakeasy Austin, and Sunset Strip Comedy Club. See the full list.

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