FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 12/02/2025 Contact: Darian Nagle-Gamm, Director of Transportation Services Phone: 319-356-5156
City offers free downtown ramp parking on Saturday, Dec. 6 to support Small Business Saturday 2.0
Just in time for holiday shopping, parking ramps throughout Downtown Iowa City will be free during Small Business Saturday 2.0 on December 6, 2025. After winter weather impacted last weekend’s Small Business Saturday, the Iowa City Downtown District is extending the celebration for an additional weekend to give the community another chance to show up for local businesses.
Free ramp parking, along with the City’s Fare Free Transit program, will make it even easier for residents and visitors to spend the day visiting the small, locally owned businesses that keep our community vibrant. Take advantage of these City services and save even more this holiday season.
The City has six convenient parking ramps, all with electric vehicle charging stations. Details at icgov.org/parking.
Dubuque Street Ramp, 220 S. Dubuque St.
Capitol Street Ramp, 220 S. Capitol St.
Tower Place Ramp, 335 Iowa Avenue
Chauncey Swan Ramp, 415 E. Washington St.
Court Street Transportation Center, 150 E. Court St.
Harrison Street Parking Ramp, 175 E. Harrison St.
More details can be found at icgov.org/ParkingOptions. People are also encouraged to download the ParkMobile app to their smartphone to pay for metered parking and extend time from their mobile devices.
Small Business Saturday 2.0
The Iowa City Downtown District is inviting the community to make a day of it and support local throughout the weekend. From Santa Saturdays and the Downtown Holiday Pop-Up Market to the annual Holiday Retail Open House and the Downtown Hunt for the Elves, there are festive ways for all ages to experience downtown this season.
In addition to downtown activities, shoppers can explore more local and handmade goods at the Arts & Crafts Bazaar at the Iowa City Public Library and the Eastside Artists Market at the Masonic Temple. Community members can also enjoy cherished holiday traditions such as The Nutcracker and the Downtown Teddy Bear Room, making it a perfect weekend to celebrate the season. A full list of holiday happenings can be found on the ICDD website.
To mark Small Business Saturday 2.0, ICDD is hosting a Holiday Shopping Spree Giveaway this Saturday. Shoppers can enter to win up to $1,000 to spend downtown by simply making a purchase at any participating downtown retailer during normal business hours and entering their name into the drawing. Each purchase qualifies as an entry. One winner will be selected and notified the following week.
