Our Customer Services will be closed over the festive period as follows:
- closing at 4.00pm on Wednesday 24 December 2025, reopening at 8.30am on Monday 27 December 2025
- closing at 4.00pm on Wednesday 31 December 2025, reopening at 8.30am on Friday 2 January 2026
Remember, you'll be able to use our online services throughout Christmas and New Year.
The Emergency Duty Team
Many services will continue running throughout the Christmas period.
The Emergency Duty Team can be contacted about all social care, housing and homelessness emergencies outside of normal office hours. The team carries out urgent assessments of adults, young people and children and provides advice and guidance over the phone on how to deal with problems.
See emergency contact details.
Recycling and waste collection
Over the Christmas and New Year period, there are some changes to your waste and recycling collection days. Check your bin collection days online.
Recycling for around 2,000 hard to reach households in the city centre are collected by St Nicks, and these households are urged to check the St Nick's website for any date changes.
Find out what festive waste can go in your recycling boxes and check your bin collection days online.
You can recycle your real Christmas tree at our household waste centres (HWRC) at Hazel Court HWRC and Towthorpe/Strensall HWRC, which are open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (with Towthorpe also closed on Wednesdays).
In addition, we're working with York Round Table and Yorwaste to provide recycling of Christmas trees for charity.
See more information about Christmas tree recycling, which is available by drop off at Tesco Askham Bar, or by booking a slot for collection from home.
Libraries and swimming pools
Get library opening times from Explore York.
Opening times for Yearsley swimming pool and Energise swimming pool are available online.
Festive travel
Residents and visitors can keep up-to-date with bus services over the Christmas and New Year period via iTravel.
Other seasonal information
Read the following information related to our services in winter: