As the festive season draws near, the City of Durham has announced several service changes that will affect residents during Christmas and New Year's holidays. Most city offices, including City Hall and all non-emergency facilities, will be closed on December 24, December 25, December 26, and January 1. This announcement is part of the city's efforts to help residents plan their holiday schedules around city services.
For those looking to dispose of their holiday waste, there will be slight delays in services provided by the Environmental & Street Services Department. According to a recent statement from the City of Durham, garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection will be pushed back by one business day starting December 25 and continuing through the first full week of January. The Waste Disposal and Recycling Center, along with other waste facilities, will have amended schedules, closing early at 1:30 p.m. on December 24, and will remain closed on December 25 and January 1. However, normal operations will resume on December 26 and January 2.
For those who held onto the seasonal symbol a little too long, the city has good news. Starting January 5 through February 7, residents can dispose of their live Christmas trees free of charge at the City's Waste Disposal and Recycling Center on 2115 E. Club Blvd. Moreover, on specific Saturdays in January, additional free drop-off points will be available at four local store locations including Lowe’s Home Improvement and The Home Depot branches around Durham. Residents seeking this service should ensure their trees meet the disposal requirements—trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half, and all decorations and hardware removed.
It's not just waste services adapting to the holiday spirit. Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) will also observe closures on December 24, December 25, and December 26, reopening on December 27. These facilities will further close early at 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and remain closed on New Year's Day, as mentioned in the City of Durham's announcement. Information about DPR programs may be accessed through their office number or via their webpage.
Those looking to navigate the city during this period should note that GoDurham and GoDurham ACCESS will operate under normal schedules with a few exceptions; service ends at 7 p.m. on December 24, with no service on December 25, and only Sunday-level service on January 1. Meanwhile, the Durham One Call service will be unavailable on the days when city offices are closed, with staff to resume processing service requests on the next business day.
Finally, residents can enjoy free downtown parking on City-designated holidays, a welcome reprieve in the midst of holiday shopping and festivities. For more detailed information on parking rules and the Special Event Parking Schedule, visitors can check the ParkDurham website.
For water and sewer emergencies, the City ensures that despite the closures, services will be responsive. Residents should direct any calls regarding water main breaks or sewer overflows to the Water Management Department's after-hours emergency number. All these measures are set to ensure that Durham's citizens can focus more on the holiday cheer and less on the administrative hustle.
