Here is what is opened, closed and operating this holiday break

The City of Ottawa is remind residents changes to various service schedules for the holiday season. Schedule changes take place from Tuesday, Dec. 24 to Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Client Service Centres

  • The 3-1-1 Contact Centre is open for urgent matters only
  • ServiceOttawa’s Client Services and Provincial Offences counters and phone lines will be closed on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. 1.  Counters are located at Ottawa City Hall (110 Laurier Ave. W.), Ben Franklin Place (101 Centrepointe Dr.), Kanata (580 Terry Fox Dr.), Orleans (255 Centrum Blvd.) and the City’s Provincial Offences Court at 100 Constellation Dr.
  • The Metcalfe, West Carleton, and North Gower Client Service Centres will be closed from Dec. 16 to Jan. 3, with the exception of West Carleton remaining open on Dec. 18.
  • The Business Licensing Centre at 735 Industrial Ave. will be closed on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. 1.
  • The City of Ottawa Spay and Neuter Clinic at 26 Concourse Gate will be closed from Dec. 23 until Jan. 3. It will reopen on Jan. 6.
  • City Archives (James Bartleman Centre and Rideau Archives) will be closed from Dec. 23 to Jan. 4. Gloucester Archives will reopen early in the new year, following its relocation to the James Bartleman Centre.
  • The Barbara Ann Scott Gallery, the Karsh-Masson Gallery, and the City Hall Art Gallery will be closed on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. 1.

Green bin, recycling and garbage collection

  • No curbside or multi-residential green binrecyclinggarbage or bulky item collection on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. The pick-up will take place on the following day. Collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. Changes to the schedule can be found online.
  • The Trail Waste Facility will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. It will be open on Boxing Day from 7 am to 6 pm.
  • Christmas trees will be picked up on your regular collection day. All decorations should be removed. Christmas trees in plastic bags or frozen into a snowbank will not be collected.

Parking

  • Free parking will be available at City Hall (110 Laurier Ave. W.), from Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. until Dec. 26 at 7 a.m., and from Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. until Jan. 1 at 7 a.m. as well as at the ByWard Market Garage at 70 Clarence St. and the Dalhousie Garage at 141 Clarence St.
  • At these facilities, exit gates will be placed in the ‘up’ position during these time periods to allow for free exits. If the gates are closed, vehicles must pay.
  • All other City parking regulations apply.  

Transit Services

  • OC Transpo holiday service will run from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3. Schedules can be found online.
  • Two customers can ride all day for the price of one DayPass, valid Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1, and every Saturday and Sunday.
  • Free transit service will be provided on New Year’s Eve after 6 p.m.
  • On New Year’s Eve O-Train Line 1 will run until 2 a.m., after which night bus service will run through downtown. Fare gates will be open. B2 bus service will run until 1 a.m. and Para Transpo service will run until 3 a.m.
  • OC Transpo Customer Service (613-560-5000) will be open throughout the holidays to help customers with schedules and trip planning. Hours can be found online.
  • The Rideau Centre OC Transpo Customer Service Centre will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. All other hours can be found online.
  • Para Transpo will operate a holiday service on Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Days. Those who do not need their regularly scheduled trips are asked to cancel.

Recreation and cultural services

  • Recreation, community, and fitness centres will operate on modified schedules during the holiday season. The winter break drop-ins schedule can be found here.
  • Some holiday-themed registered programs will be offered at community centres and arenas.
  • The City’s four refrigerated outdoor rinks are open, weather permitting. Status can be checked at online.
  • Community outdoor rinks will open after the weather is favourable for ice-making. 
  • Sledding hills will be open, weather permitting.
  • Shenkman Arts Centre will be closed Dec. 24 to Dec. 27, and on Jan. 1. Modified holiday hours can be found on their website.
  • The box office at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe will be closed Dec. 24 to Jan. 12. Tickets may be purchased online. 
  • City museums Billings Estate and Nepean Museum are operating on holiday schedules. The remainder are closed for the season. Cumberland Museum will be open by donation Dec. 27 to 30 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Christmas light displays.

Ottawa Public Health

  • The Site program office and supervised consumption services at 179 Clarence St. will be closed. The Site mobile van will operate from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1.
  • ParentingInOttawa vaccination clinic hours can be found on their website. Drop-ins will be closed Dec. 25, 26 30, and Jan. 1 and 2.
  • The Sexual Health Clinic will be closed on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. 1. Modified holiday hours will be worked on Dec. 24 and 31.
  • Dental clinics will be closed on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. 1. Modified holiday hours will be worked on Dec. 24 and 31.
  • COVID-19 vaccine clinic hours and availability can be found online.
  • Free, secure and confidential health advice can be found at Health811

Employment and Social Services

  • All four Employment and Social Services offices will be closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1:

Municipal child care services

  • All municipal child care centres will be closed from Dec. 23 until Dec. 27, and on Jan. 1. Parents are advised to check the operating hours of their child care centre during the holiday season.

Ottawa Public Library

  • All Ottawa Public Library branches will be closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. Branches will operate on regular schedules from Dec. 27 to 30.
  • On Dec. 24, branches with Sunday hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • All hours can be found on the library’s website.

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