With the holidays comes one of the busiest event seasons of the year in The Vista: seasonal shows at the Koger Center, basketball at Colonial Life Arena + tonight’s Vista Lights to name a few. Parking can be tough. Here are some Vista parking hacks:

🚗 Free parking | Meters are always free on weekends + weekdays after 6 p.m. Washington St., Taylor St. + Cannon city garages are also free when the meters are. Who knew.

🚗 Parking garages | Not all garages charge the same rates. The Lincoln St. garage is by far the best deal. First hour is free; the second is $2; and each hour after is only $1. Plus, if you leave after 2 a.m., you’ll only pay $3.

🚗 Event parking | During events at the Convention Center + Colonial Life, the Park St. garage is $10, cash-only. Other garages may charge special rates during large events.

🚗 Soda Cap Connector | The Soda Cap Connector is an awesome free service, but for now, it stops service at 6 p.m. and doesn’t run on Sun. + Mon. Take it for Saturday day-time shopping or matinees.

🚗 Side streets | If you’re looking for a meter during a busy night, spots on Gervais and Lady are going to be a tough find. Streets connecting the two may be less crowded, but going a little further out is the best bet. Assembly St. (north of Gervais, Washington St. and Pulaski) may be a walk, but you’ll save time driving in circles.

See a full list of parking tips + event road closures here.

4 min read / The State