Baltimore County is making local shopping easier this holiday season with two hours of free meter parking. Parking will be free at 1,735 meters throughout Baltimore County Thanksgiving weekend, November 23-26. For last-minute shoppers, there also will be free meter parking December 20-25, just before Christmas.

Meters will be decorated with red “Seasons Greetings” bags in Catonsville, Towson, Parkville, Essex, Overlea, Pikesville, Arbutus, Stoneleigh, and Dundalk.

“A little relief at the parking meter during the busiest days of the holiday season makes it easier to support locally owned shops and restaurants,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. “These small businesses help support the neighborhood economy. We encourage everyone to shop local on Small Business Saturday, November 25, and throughout the holiday season.”

Kamenetz encouraged local shopping in a video recorded along the Frederick Road shopping district in Catonsville.