**** HRM Media Release
Municipal service level adjustments for Christmas and New Year’s
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following municipal program and service level adjustments in effect over the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.
Solid Waste Collection and Facility Hours
Garbage, organics, and recyclables collection services will not be affected by the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Regular collection services will occur as usual on both Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2. Residents are reminded that collection services can begin as early as 7 a.m.; to ensure collection, materials may be placed curbside the evening prior to collection day.
The Household Special Waste (HSW) Depot in Bayers Lake will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 24 and Saturday, Dec. 31, but will be open on Saturday, Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility will be closed on Sunday, Dec. 25 and Sunday Jan. 1, but will be open on Saturday, Dec. 24 and Saturday, Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sign up for weekly collection reminders and service alerts, or print a calendar customized for your address here.
Halifax Transit Bus and Ferry Services
Halifax Transit buses and Access-A-Bus will be operating on holiday schedules on Sunday, Dec. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 1. Please note there is no Alderney or Woodside ferry service in operation on either Sunday, Dec. 25 or Sunday, Jan. 1.
Buses, Access-A-Bus and the Alderney ferry will operate on holiday service on Monday, Dec. 26. There is no weekend service for the Woodside ferry. For detailed holiday service schedules by individual route, visit the website.
From 6 p.m. onwards, Halifax Transit is pleased to once again offer free, extended bus service on New Year’s Eve in support of M.A.D.D. Halifax Regional Chapter. Volunteers from M.A.D.D. will be at the Halifax ferry terminal accepting monetary donations. For detailed holiday service schedules by individual route, visit halifax.ca/transit-nye.
Recreation Facilities, Programs and Services
Many recreation facilities will be operating on irregular schedules between Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Jan 2. Please call ahead to your local facility in advance to confirm complete holiday operating hours. Recreation facility contact information can be found here.
The Emera Oval is now open for the 2022/23 winter season. Please check the website for updated skate times by clicking here.
Residents are invited to visit the Halifax Public Gardens Holiday Lights, a festive trail of holiday lights and music display, as part of Nova Scotia’s Evergreen Festival and the City Hall Projection of Lights in Grand Parade. This free experience will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night until Sunday, Jan. 1. For further information, click here.
Parking
Municipal on-street parking will be free on Monday, Dec. 26, Tuesday, Dec. 27 and Monday, Jan. 2. Parking Enforcement will be responding to urgent calls only on Saturday, Dec. 24 and will resume regular operations on Wednesday, Dec. 28.
Residents may also call the Halifax Regional Police non-emergency dispatch line at 902.490.5020 from Dec. 25 to Dec. 27, for non-urgent matters.
Residents are reminded to abide by all safety related signage including accessible parking and no stopping.
If a weather event is declared, the winter parking ban may also be in effect.
Customer Contact Centres
The 311 Contact Centre will be closed for general inquires on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Customers may still call 311 for urgent requests concerning transportation, municipal operations, facilities, animal services and illegally parked vehicles.
The three Customer Service Centres that provide in-person access to municipal services and payments, will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26, Tuesday, Dec. 27 and Monday, Jan. 2.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
The Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting residents to its annual live New Year’s Eve celebrations, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 31 from 9:45 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Grand Parade. For detailed information, visit halifax.ca.
