With the holiday season quickly approaching, local government officials across the nation are reminding residents about service interruptions and special schedules for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Administrative closures, altered service hours, and specific waste collection timelines have been announced to help residents navigate this festive time.
According to the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland, most city facilities will be closed on December 25, 2024, and January 1, 2025, as part of holiday observances. The Olde Towne and Robertson Park Youth Centers will be closed from December 23, 2024, until January 1, 2025, as part of their holiday facility schedule. Meanwhile, the Arts Barn and Kentlands Mansion are closed from December 23 until January 3, 2025.
On December 24, 2024, various community centers, including the Activity Center and the Benjamin Gaither Center, will operate until 4 p.m. On Christmas Day, all city facilities, including the Winter Lights Festival, will be shuttered. Although the Administrative Offices of the Gaithersburg Police Station will also be closed on these days, police patrol will remain active. Residents are urged to call 911 for emergencies or 301-279-8000 for non-emergency dispatch.
The recycling schedule reflects similar adjustments: collections originally planned for December 25 and January 1 will now occur on December 28, 2024, and January 4, 2025, respectively. There will be no bulk pickup services during these holiday weeks, and loose leaf collection will be unavailable as the city ensures waste management operates smoothly through the festive period.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, Jakarta’s PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM) has rolled out its annual holiday program to assist vehicle owners during this busy travel season. Between December 21, 2024, and January 1, 2025, TAM will maintain operations at 300 service stations and five Toyota Alert Posts. These posts cater to drivers on major routes, including one strategically located along the Cikampek toll road.
According to TAM’s Marketing Director Anton Jimmi Suwandy, the initiative aims to ease customer mobility during the holidays. Visitors can enjoy various facilities at the service points, including comfortable waiting areas feature air conditioning, free Wi-Fi access, satellite TV, and even automatic massage chairs! For those interested, the mobile service can offer light repairs and upgrades right at the roadside without extra charges.
But holiday service offerings are not uniformly available for everyone. Back on the U.S. side, Sarasota County’s government offices and services will also close for the holidays. Specifically, services will not be available on December 24-25, December 31, and January 1, 2025. The Florida Department of Health offices will maintain similar closures as well.
Transportation services through Breeze will begin altering their schedules as Christmas approaches. Christmas Day will see limited operations with the standard routes and services being closed except for the 76 Flyer, which will operate as usual. New Year’s Eve will see the 77 Siesta Islander and Breeze OnDemand running extended hours until 1 a.m., which is quite handy for those celebrating late.
Public libraries and recreation centers will also lock their doors from December 24 through 25, December 31, and January 1, 2025. Waste management services will see some alterations as well. Collection times on December 25 and January 1 will be suspended with collection resuming on December 26 and January 2.
Despite the widespread closures, many agencies are making efforts to maintain some level of access. For those needing to dispose of their regular trash and recycling, the county advises residents to have their materials ready by 6 a.m. on days of scheduled collection.
It is clear to see how both regions manage holiday operations differently, yet the common theme of being prepared for the holiday season holds true. Local services are adapting to maintain steady assistance to residents and customers—whether it’s city facilities shutting their doors or businesses operating through the season. With these announcements, residents are ensured clarity and made aware of potential service changes, enabling them to plan their holiday schedules accordingly.
