**** 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
There will be no garbage, organics or recyclables collection services on Monday, Dec. 25. Curbside collection normally scheduled for Dec. 25 will instead occur on Saturday, Dec. 23.
There will be no garbage, organics or recyclables collection services on Monday, Jan. 1. Curbside collection normally scheduled for Jan. 1 will instead occur on Saturday, Dec. 30.
Regular collection services will resume on Tuesday, Dec. 26 and Tuesday, Jan. 2.
The Household Special Waste Depot at 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 23 and Saturday, Dec. 30 but will be open Saturday, Jan. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the complete Household Special Waste program schedule, please visit the website.
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.
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 service schedules on Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 1.
Halifax Transit Ferries will not be operating on Monday, Dec. 25 or Monday, Jan. 1. Alderney Ferry will be operating on the holiday service schedule on Tuesday, Dec. 26. There will be no Woodside Ferry Service on Tuesday, Dec. 26. The Woodside Ferry will not be operating on Sunday, Dec. 31. Detailed holiday service schedules can be viewed on the Halifax Transit website.
On New Year’s Eve, in support of M.A.D.D. Halifax Regional Chapter, Halifax Transit will be offering free fares for all riders beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, with extended conventional bus and Alderney ferry service. Donations to M.A.D.D. Halifax Regional Chapter will be accepted at the Halifax ferry terminal. More information about extended service on New Year’s Eve can be found online.
Recreation Facilities, Programs and Services
Many recreation facilities will be operating on irregular schedules between Saturday, Dec. 23 and Tuesday, 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 2023/24 winter season, beginning with a skate later this afternoon at 4 p.m. Please check the website for updated skate times by clicking here.
The municipality will also host a Skate with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents are invited to come and skate to holiday music, enjoy complimentary candy canes and take a picture with Santa Claus.
Parking
Municipal on-street parking will be free on Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 1. Parking Enforcement will resume regular operations on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
Residents may also call the Halifax Regional Police non-emergency dispatch line at 902.490.5020 from Monday, Dec. 25 to Wednesday, 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 Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan.1. 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. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 1.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Residents are invited to the municipality’s annual New Year’s Eve celebrations, taking place on Sunday, Dec. 31 at the Emera Oval.
The free event will include a concert with Music Nova Scotia 2023 Entertainer of the Year winner and multi-instrumentalist Rankin MacInnis headlining the main stage, as well as other musical highlights like Lindsay Misiner and a Tribute to 50 years of Hip Hop with OKAY TK, DJ Grimrock, breakdancers and more. For detailed information, visit halifax.ca.
A family skate will also take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a short fireworks show and countdown at the end.
