Savannah officials hope to lure more holiday shoppers downtown by offering free parking until after Christmas.

The city is offering up to three hours of free parking at its five garages in the downtown historic district every Thursday and Friday. The deal lasts through Dec. 28.

Savannah has offered similar promotions in the past aimed at boosting sales for locally owned businesses downtown, where almost all parking spots are either metered or in garages that charge by the hour.

Shoppers and visitors will still need to pay for metered parking on the streets — except on weekends, when meters aren't enforced.

Tags: parking deck, parking, holiday shopping, downtown Savannah, free parking