National Cherry Festival
This page was last updated June 19, 2024 for the 2024 Festival, and information provided is subject to change.
Don’t want to park downtown at all? TAKE THE BAYLINE FROM BATA! Click here for more information! The Bayline is a FREE east-west circulator that has multiple free park-n-ride stops.
Festival Parking is Easy!
For the “best kept secret” for easy parking, access one of our two parking structures in downtown to avoid circling on airshow days, on the parade route and avoid street closures.
Hardy Parking Garage, 303 East State Street may be accessed by starting from Cass & Eighth, head north on Cass Street, turn right at State Street and arrive at the Hardy Parking Garage on the left.
Old Town Parking Garage, 125 East Eighth Street may be accessed by starting from Cass & Eighth, head west on Eighth Street and arrive at the Old Town Parking Garage on the right.
Festival Parking Rates
Event rates will be in effect on various days throughout the festival. Parkers may pull a ticket and pay the hourly rate for the first two hours of parking in both parking structures before event rates will go into effect.
Pre-paid Event Parking Permits
Pre-paid event permits are sold at both parking structures as a pay-on-entry pass during airshow, parades, fireworks and any high-volume times. The purpose of pre-payment is that it allows for a quicker and smoother exit. During pre-paid pass times, you will be sold a QR pass that will be scanned at entry, and the QR will be scanned to exit. Pre-paid permits are valid for one (1) entry & one (1) exit only. No In/Out privileges. Valid entry on date of event with valid exit up to 24 hours after entry. Additional charges will incur for exits after 24 hours.
Airshow – Saturday, June 29th-Sunday, June 30th
Rates in effect all day at both Hardy and Old Town Parking Structures
Hourly parking midnight to 8 AM
$20 flat rate 8 AM-5 PM
$10 flat rate 5 PM-11 PM
Hourly parking 11 PM-midnight
4th of July – Thursday, July 4th
Rates in effect all day at both Hardy and Old Town Parking Structures
Hourly parking midnight to 8 AM
$10 flat rate 8 AM-11 PM
Hourly parking 11 PM-midnight
Parade Day and Finale – Saturday, July 6th
Rates in effect all day at both Hardy and Old Town Parking Structures
Hourly parking midnight to 5 PM
$10 flat rate 5 PM-11 PM
Hourly parking 11 PM-midnight
Metered Parking Lots
For the duration of the festival, all metered parking lots will increase to a 10-hour parking limit. (time limits increased at pay stations, but not through Parkmobile mobile pay application)
Saturday, June 30th-Saturday, July 6th
$1.50 per hour, $20 daily maximum
Current Parking Permit Holders
Surface Permit Holder Alternative Parking
Parkers displaced by lot closures have access to the Old Town parking structure by using the barcode on their surface permit hangtag.
Display Your Parking Permit
Permits MUST be displayed at all times both for garage and surface lot permit holders. Garage permit holders may be denied access during peak times for failure to display
Parking Closures & Restricted Parking
Lot B
Carnival and Midway Operations will take over the permit lot corner of Union & Grandview Parkway Wednesday, June 26th 11:30 PM -Sunday, July 7th
Lot C
Police Command Center will take over the metered lot south of Grandview Parkway between Cass and Park Streets Wednesday, June 26th 9:00 AM-Sunday, July 7th
Lot D
Grand Traverse Sheriff Dive Team will take over the metered boat launch spaces in the lot south of Grandview Parkway between Park Street Thursday, June 28th-Sunday, June 30th. All double spaces for vehicles with trailer only will be unavailable. All single vehicle spaces are available for festival parking.
Marina Drive
Festival Operations will take over the metered parking north of Grandview Parkway, east of Open Space from Tuesday, June 25th – Sunday, July 7th
Lot M
Festival Operations will take over the metered lot in Duncan Clinch Marina Area Tuesday, June 25th – Sunday, July 7th
Old Town – Ground level 125 East Eighth Street
The Farmers Market will relocate to the ground level of the parking garage. Access is available from the west alley off of both Lake Avenue and Eighth Street. Regular parking will resume after the market.
Parking is restricted and unavailable:
Saturday, June 29th 6:00 AM-12:00 PM
Wednesday, July 3rd 6:00 AM-12:00 PM
Saturday, July 6th 6:00 AM-12:00 PM
Lot RB
Festival Operations will take over the metered lot north of Grandview Parkway, east of sand volleyball courts from Tuesday, June 25th – Sunday, July 7th
Lot T
Carnival and Midway Operations will take over the permit lot corner of Union & Grandview Parkway Wednesday, June 26th 11:30 PM -Sunday, July 7th
Festival Parking FAQs
My car was towed. Where is it?
We will attempt to relocate any vehicle that is towed from a closure location to another parking lot within walking distance in the downtown area. The most common locations would be parking lots E, or P. If you cannot locate your vehicle and need further assistance, please call Brickyard Towing (231) 947-8697. Be prepared to give your license plate, state and vehicle description.
Where can I park my RV or bus?
The downtown area does not have any oversized (double) parking spaces. All oversized vehicles that do not fit into the designated lines of parking are required to pay for the multiple spaces that are occupied.
Do you allow motorcycles in the parking garages?
No. Motorcycles are not permitted to enter under parking gates as recommended for safety reasons by the manufacturer.
Does the event rate allow re-entry?
No. All event rates are valid for one entry and one exit. No, in/out privileges.
What do I do if I lost my event parking pass?
Event parking passes cannot be replaced and lost ticket fees will be assessed.