You’re getting an hour of free parking in Miami earlier this year — but the clock is ticking

The scourge of COVID-19 has the folks at the Miami Parking Authority feeling a bit charitable in this annus horribilis.

Every season for more than 10 years, the MPA — which manages parking and collects and assigns fees, through Miami — promotes its “Holiday Parking Courtesy Citation” program. Drivers who park in the city of Miami at one of the meters the authority manages get a “holiday courtesy citation” offering up to one free hour if their meter expires.

When is the Miami parking meter holiday program starting?

But this year, rather than begin in mid-December as usual, the program starts this Black Friday, at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 27.

So if you are out shopping, dining or visiting within the city — wearing a mask, we hope — you may have one less thing to worry about.

For an hour, anyway.

Coral Gables is once again extending the same offer, too, but the City Beautiful’s dates are different.

Coral Gables is providing a one-hour courtesy for expired meters for the 20 days leading up to Christmas, beginning Dec. 6, said a spokeswoman for the city.

Miami Beach, as well, joins in on the holiday spirit.

“We will be continuing with our traditional recognition of the holiday season next month with a one-hour courtesy notice for all expired parking meter violations encountered by the city’s Parking Enforcement Unit,” said a spokeswoman. The courtesy will be honored Dec. 19-25. A holiday notice will be placed on the car’s windshield in lieu of a parking citation.

How does the MPA program work?

The “Holiday Parking Courtesy Citation” program from Miami’s MPA runs 24/7 from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27, to 11:59 p.m. Dec. 18.

The courtesy program applies to all on-street parking spaces managed by the MPA. Customers who purchase parking at a single-space meter, master meter, or via the PayByPhone app are eligible.

According to the MPA, once the parking session expires, customers receive a special holiday courtesy citation explaining that they have been granted up to one free hour of parking beyond the expiration time.

“In the season of gratitude and thanksgiving, we are always pleased to give back to our valued customers,” said chief executive officer Alejandra “Alex” Argudin in a statement. “This year is a poignant reminder that every deed, albeit small, can make a difference as the community reels back from the impact of COVID-19.”

Information and how to register with MPA

Customers who live within Miami city limits and who are registered with the MPA Customer Service department are eligible for a resident discount when they park and use the free PayByPhone app.

For information, visit www.miamiparking.com. To download the PayByPhone app, use your smartphone’s app store or go to www.paybyphone.com.