As Christmas approaches, Athens-Clarke County has announced changes to service and facility schedules. According to the ACCGov website, closures are expected on Wednesday and Thursday, with the Animal Services Department’s Couch Crashers program giving shelter pets a temporary break from kennel life from last Friday through January 2.
The Adoption Center and Field Services will be closed on the holiday dates, but emergency services—such as for animal bites or seriously ill animals—will remain available by calling 911. Regular hours resume on Friday. Leisure Services facilities, including parks, will also be closed and reopen after the two-day break. Solid Waste collection schedules are adjusted: residential and commercial pickups outside the downtown district will not occur on Wednesday and Thursday, with changes in place to accommodate the holiday.
The landfill, CHaRM, and the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) will be closed for the holiday and resume normal operations after Christmas. Public transit will also not operate on these days, with regular service returning on December 26, which may affect holiday travelers.
All administrative offices, including City Hall, will be closed for the Christmas holiday and reopen afterward. For department-specific schedules or service questions, residents can access information via phone or the departments’ websites. Athens-Clarke County aims to keep the community informed of these seasonal changes.
