As part of the greater Boston area, parking in Cambridge can feel a bit intimidating. The city is dense and competition for street parking spots can be ruthless. Luckily, with these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to find a free parking spot near your destination in no time.
To find those free street parking spots, here is what you need:
- An understanding of where those spots exist. (Check out this free map!)
- Familiarity with parking rules so you’ll know that free spot is actually free.
Map of Free Parking in Cambridge
Find a free spot by changing the time filters and navigating to your desired area. The free map updates in real-time, so simply type in the address you’re parking near and the time of day to find free parking near you.
Cambridge Parking rules
Free Parking Near Harvard
- There is plenty of metered parking near Harvard Square, but you’ll be hard pressed to find any actual free parking, unless:
- Every Sunday parking is free in metered spaces and in neighborhoods that typically require residential permits.
- If you’re lucky enough to find a broken meter, the city allows you to park for free up until the stated time limit (so you’ll get 2 hours of free parking at a 2 hour meter).
Free Parking Holidays
Cambridge has free parking days! Here they are.
| Start Date | Parking Holiday | End Date |
| 2025-01-01 | New Year's Day | 2025-01-01 |
| 2025-01-20 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | 2025-01-20 |
| 2025-02-17 | Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) | 2025-02-17 |
| 2025-04-19 | Patriots' Day | 2025-04-19 |
| 2025-05-26 | Memorial Day | 2025-05-26 |
| 2025-07-04 | Independence Day | 2025-07-04 |
| 2025-09-01 | Labor Day | 2025-09-01 |
| 2025-10-13 | Indigenous Peoples' Day | 2025-10-13 |
| 2025-11-11 | Veterans day | 2025-11-11 |
| 2025-11-27 | Thanksgiving Day | 2025-11-27 |
| 2025-11-28 | Day after Thanksgiving | 2025-11-28 |
| 2025-12-25 | Christmas Day | 2025-12-25 |
Quick Tips and Tricks:
Here are some quick tips for finding free parking in Cambridge:
- Residential Streets: Look for free street parking in quieter neighborhoods away from main roads.
- Public Parks: Areas around parks like Cambridge Common sometimes have free parking.
- After Hours: Metered parking is often free in the evenings and on weekends.
- Apps: Use parking apps like SpotAngels to to find free spots.
- Nearby Areas: Check surrounding areas like Somerville or Allston for free parking.
Always watch for time limits and restrictions!
To know which specific regulations are suspended on these days, please check the SpotAngels app.