Drivers from Kingswinford can park for free at council car parks across Dudley borough on three days across two weekends in July, as Dudley Council suspends charges to support a string of summer events.
On Saturday 4 July, free parking covers Halesowen and Brierley Hill. Council-run car parks included are High Street, Andrew Road, Pool Road, and Birmingham Street in Halesowen, and Bank Street, Cottage Street, Little Cottage Street, and Level Street in Brierley Hill. The Halesowen Carnival and Music Festival runs from 11.30am to 8pm at Highfield Park, while the council-organised Brier Fair opens from 10am to 4pm. The following day, Sunday 5 July, charges are dropped at Birmingham Street, Church Street, Coventry Street, and Ryemarket in Stourbridge for the Stourbridge Carnival, a 10am to 5pm event with live music on three stages, street entertainment, circus skills workshops, and a funfair. The final free parking day falls on Saturday 18 July across seven Dudley town centre car parks — Flood Street, King Street, New Mil Street, Tower Street, Wolverhampton Street, Stafford Street, and Pitfield Street — when Dudley Pride takes over Stone Street Square from 1pm to 8pm.
Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said the move is designed to boost local trade. “By offering free town centre parking, we’re making it easier for residents and visitors alike to attend, enjoy the celebrations and spend time in our high streets,” he explained. The Halesowen Carnival and Music Festival, which opens with the Mayor, Mayoress and Mayor’s Cadet at 11.30am on 4 July, marks the start of the 13th Black Country Festival. Dudley Pride, headlined by BBC’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series two winner Tia Kofi, builds on the council’s first outdoor Pride held in September 2025. All four main events are free to attend, with street entertainment at Stourbridge funded in part by Stourbridge BID and Haystoun sponsoring the Pride celebrations.
Free parking applies only to the long-stay council car parks named for each date. The council has run similar promotions during previous festivals, and the current offer covers the weekends when the biggest crowds are expected.
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