Christmas and New Year opening hours

Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day all fall on weekdays this year. This means that Wednesday 25 December 2024, Thursday 26 December 2024 and Wednesday 1 January 2025 will all be public holidays for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day respectively.

Customer services

Our customer centre will be closed over the festive period as follows:

• Close at 4.00pm on Tuesday 24 December, reopening at 8.30am on Friday 27 December
• Close at 4.00pm on Tuesday 31 December, reopening at 9.30am on Thursday 2 January 2025

You can access information about our services and support at any time by visiting our website at www.york.gov.uk. 

In the event of an emergency, please contact 01904 551550 and select the appropriate team or service.

Waste and recycling

Some Christmas waste and recycling collection dates will be changing this year. The majority of collections will take place the day after their normal collection date, The most significant changes are collections due on Christmas Day (Wednesday 25 December 2024), with household waste brought forward to Saturday 21 December 2024.

Please check your collection dates at www.york.gov.uk/WasteCollectionCalendar.

Hazel Court and Towthorpe and Strensall Household Waste Recycling Centres will both be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Our gritting teams will be on standby throughout the festive period should the weather be cold. Follow @CityofYork for updates on other services.

More information on the festive period, including opening times of the Household Waste Recycling Centres and emergency contacts can be found at www.york.gov.uk/festiveperiod.

Health and wellbeing

The cold weather can have a significant impact on people's health and residents are being reminded of the services available to them this winter.

Pharmacies across the city can offer confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses such as colds, flu, minor rashes and pain relief. They can also help answer any questions you may have about the medication you are taking. Many pharmacies are open late into the evening and all have a consultation room so you can speak in private. For a list of pharmacies in York go to www.nhs.uk/service-search.

Councillor Claire Douglas, Leader at City of York Council said: 

“I would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to all of York's residents and businesses, I hope you all get to enjoy a well-earned break over the festive period.

"I also want to say a big thank you to everyone who will be working supporting the people of our city, from those in our teams who will be working on the front line, to staff working in the NHS, retail and hospitality. The people of York are grateful for your support every day of the year and I hope everyone is able to enjoy some time with their friends and loved ones."