Residents of Ottawa are preparing for the festive season, and the city has released its official schedule of openings and closures for the Christmas and New Year's period in 2025. This guide outlines essential information on municipal services, public transit, and recreational facilities to help the community plan ahead.
City Services and Administrative Closures
All Ottawa City Hall client service centres will be closed on both Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, and New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1. This includes the city's provincial offences court. Additionally, these facilities will remain shut on Boxing Day, Friday, December 26.
Most municipal services that operate on a typical weekend schedule will follow that pattern for the statutory holidays. However, some essential services will continue without interruption.
Public Transit and Parking
OC Transpo will run on a Sunday schedule for both Christmas Day and New Year's Day. On Boxing Day, a modified holiday schedule will be in effect. Para Transpo services will also follow a holiday schedule; clients are advised to book their trips well in advance due to anticipated high demand.
Parking regulations will be relaxed on the statutory holidays. There will be no payment required at city parking meters and no enforcement of time-limit bylaws on December 25, 26, and January 1. Regular parking rules will apply on all other days.
Recreation, Waste Collection, and Essential Services
Many city-run recreational facilities, including pools, arenas, and fitness centres, will have special holiday hours. Residents are encouraged to check the specific schedules for their local facilities online, as hours may vary significantly.
Curbside waste, recycling, and green bin collection will be affected. There will be no collection on Christmas Day or New Year's Day. Collections scheduled for those Thursdays will shift to Friday, and Friday's collection will move to Saturday for both weeks.
Essential services such as police, fire, and paramedic responses will operate 24/7 throughout the holiday period. The city's 311 contact centre will remain open for urgent matters requiring municipal intervention.
Additional Community Information
While the city's public libraries will be closed on the statutory holidays, many shopping centres, including the Rideau Centre and Bayshore Shopping Centre, have announced extended hours in the days leading up to Christmas, but will be closed entirely on December 25. Grocery stores and pharmacies will largely be closed on Christmas Day, with many operating on reduced hours on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Planning ahead for these closures can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable holiday season for all Ottawa residents.
