What’s open and closed in Hamilton over the Christmas and New Year holidays

With Christmas and Boxing Day nearly here, you might be wondering what holiday closures are happening in Hamilton. Here is a list of what’s closed — and still open — around the city.

Most shopping malls, small businesses and grocery stores will have modified Christmas Eve hours and will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Check the shopping centre or store websites to verify Christmas and Boxing Day hours of operation.

Some LCBO and The Beer Stores will have special holiday hours. Check store websites for opening and closing times.

All City of Hamilton administrative offices will be closed from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1 and will reopen on Jan. 2, 2025.

All City of Hamilton recreation centres and arenas will be closed on Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. For locations and schedules, click here.

For City emergencies involving roads, water mains and sewer systems call 905-546-CITY (2489).

For a list of city services and facilities available over the holidays — including garbage collection — visit the Holiday Schedule page on the City of Hamilton website. This also has hours for Hamilton Civic Museums and Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse.

Hamilton Street Railways (HSR)

HSR’s Customer Service Centre at 36 Hunter St. East is closed on Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. Phone service is available seven days a week, including holidays, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 905-546-CITY (2489).

Closures and route info:

• Dec. 25 – Christmas Day: Special holiday schedule.
• Dec. 26 – Boxing Day: The following routes will operate on a Saturday service schedule: 1, 2, 16, 21, 25, 26, 41 and 43. All other routes that normally run on Sundays will operate on a Sunday service schedule, except for Route 51 University, which will not operate on Dec. 26.
• Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve: Regular weekday schedule with free service after 6 p.m. The last NY Eve bus will depart Frank A. Cooke Terminal at 1:20 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2025.
• Jan. 1, 2025 – New Year’s Day: Sunday schedule ending at 10:00 p.m. Trans-Cab service will follow the HSR Sunday service schedule.

HSR’s new service schedules take effect on Dec. 29. Visit the Bus News Winter 2025 web page for information.

Accessible Transportation Services (ATS)

The ATS Customer Service office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on statutory holidays. It will be closed on Dec. 25, 26 and January 1.

DARTS will operate weekday service on Dec. 31, Saturday service on Dec. 26, and holiday service hours on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. All subscription trips on DARTS, except for dialysis trips, are cancelled for Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. If passengers need to travel on these days, they must make a reservation in advance.

Full details on accessible transit are available here.

Animal Services

The City of Hamilton Animal Services office and shelter at 247 Dartnall Rd will be closed on Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. The office counter and shelter will be open from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31.

During the closure call dispatch at 905-546-CITY (2489) for animal-related emergencies. For found animals at the shelter, visit the shelter during open hours.

Hamilton Public Library  (HPL)

All HPL branches are closed on Dec. 25, 26, 29 and Jan. 1. Branches will be open with modified holiday service hours from Dec. 27 to 31; visit www.hpl.ca for more information and for the Virtual Branch. Bookmobile service is off the road, and Extended Access and Study Hall services are unavailable.

Housing Services and Ontario Works

The Housing Services office at 350 King St. East is closed from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2.

The Ontario Works Program, including the Special Supports Program, will be closed on Dec. 25, and will reopen on Jan. 2 at 8:30 a.m. Phone lines will resume on Jan. 2 at 8:30 a.m.

Parking and Enforcement and Traffic Violations

Hamilton Municipal Parking System offices are no longer open to in-person services. Remote services (i.e. permits, disputes, etc.) will be closed on Dec. 25 and will reopen on Jan. 2 at 8:30 a.m.

There will be no regular parking enforcement service on Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. Parking enforcement staff will be on the road the following days and times, with no overnight enforcement: Dec. 27, 28 and 29 from 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m; Dec. 30 from 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Dec. 31 until 5 p.m.

The Provincial Offences Administration Office at 50 Main St. East will be closed on Dec. 25 and will reopen on Jan. 2 at 8:30 a.m. Online payments can be made anytime at www.hamilton.ca/pay-your-ticket. Any outstanding fine that has suspended your driver’s licence can be paid in full at Service Ontario.

Public Health Services

Dental Services will be closed from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1, reopening on Jan. 2 at 8:30 a.m. at all locations. For more information on accessing treatment for dental emergencies, including hours of operation, visit Emergency Dental Services.

The Van Needle Syringe Program will be closed on Dec. 25 and 26, resuming operations on Dec. 27.  Modified hours on December 31 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The program will be closed on Jan. 1, resuming regular operations on Jan 2.