12/21/2012 11:44:08 PM

December 21, 2012

City of Toronto holiday hours

City of Toronto offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 25 and Wednesday, December 26 and also on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. All City emergency services and 24-hour operations will be provided during the holiday season.

Residents can call 311, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for more information about City services.

A list of which City services will be open and closed during the holidays follows.

Toronto Transit Commission
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) system will operate on a holiday
schedule on the following dates:
• Monday, December 24 - Weekday service. Subway and most routes will start at 6 a.m. Parking is free at all TTC parking lots after 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 25 - Sunday service. Subway and most routes will start at 9 a.m.
• Wednesday, December 26 - Sunday service. Subway and most routes will start at 6 a.m.
• Thursday, December 27 - Weekday service. Subway and most routes will start at 6 a.m.
• Friday, December 28 - Weekday service. Subway and most routes start at 6 a.m.
• Saturday, December 29 - Saturday service. Subway and most routes start at 6 a.m.
• Sunday, December 30 - Sunday service. Subway and most routes start at 9 a.m.
• Monday, December 31 - Weekday service. Subway and most routes will start at 6 a.m. Extended service runs until 4 a.m. New Year's Eve will be free to all riders after 10 p.m. and parking is free at all TTC parking lots after 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 1 - Sunday service. Subway and most routes will start at 9 a.m.
• Wednesday, January 2 - Weekday service. Subway and most routes will start at 6 a.m.
• Thursday, January 3 and Friday January 4 - Weekday service. Subway and most routes start at 6 a.m.

For holiday service details, call the Customer Information line in advance of the holiday at 416-393-4636 or visit http://www.ttc.ca/.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation
Parks, Forestry and Recreation will follow holiday hour scheduling for outdoor rinks, indoor skating, ski, snowboard and swim programs from December 24 to January 4, 2013. For specific program schedules, visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks or call 311.

Skating: Skating programs at indoor arenas and outdoor artificial ice rinks are free for all ages and offer a variety of programs including leisure skate and shinny hockey. Schedules vary by location throughout the holidays. Visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks to plan for your skating visit.

Skiing: The City's two ski and snowboard centres, located at Earl Bales Park and Centennial Park, originally scheduled to open on December 15, are currently closed due to mild conditions and will open once weather conditions allow. Updated information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks.

Swimming: A variety of leisure swim programs are available at pools throughout the city. Before making a splash at your local pool, check the schedule online at http://www.toronto.ca/parks as schedules vary by location.

Community centre operating hours
Operating schedules during the holiday season vary by location. Facility staff at each location can provide operating schedules or residents can call 311. General operating hours are as follows:
• December 24 and 31 - Community centres close at 4 p.m. except for those with previously scheduled permits.
• December 25 and 26 - Community centres are closed, with the exception of those offering registered holiday camps or special holiday drop-in programs.
• January 1 - Community centres are closed.

More information about local arenas, rinks, pools, ski and snowboard hills or community centres, including program schedules, is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks or call 311.

Flower shows at Allan Gardens and Centennial Park:
The two Christmas flower shows at the park conservatories are a tradition marking the official start of the holiday season for many Torontonians and visitors. The Christmas flower shows operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until January 6. Admission to both conservatories is free; donations to the Food Bank are welcome. Details: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/conservatories/

Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library holiday hours:
• December 24 and 31 - branches will open at 9 a.m. and close at 1 p.m.
• December 25 and 26 - closed
• January 1 - closed
• More information about the holiday hours for Toronto Public Library branches is available at http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/holiday-hours/index.jsp
Note: Library branches are open on December 27 and January 2.

City child care centres
City child care centres will follow normal operating hours during the holidays.

Solid Waste Management
Residents should check their collection calendars for changes to their curbside collection schedules. One-page collection schedules are posted on http://www.toronto.ca/recycle. For more information, call 311.

There is no curbside collection on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24 or New Year's Eve, Monday, December 31. That means that everyone's collection schedule moves forward by a day:
• Monday night collection moves to Tuesday on December 25 and January 1.
• Tuesday collection moves to Wednesday on December 26 and January 2.
• Wednesday collection moves to Thursday on December 27 and January.
• Thursday collection moves to Friday on December 28 and January 4.
• Friday collection moves to Saturday on December 29 and January 5.

All Drop-off Depots and related services are closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Check the web at http://www.toronto.ca/garbage/depots.htm for Boxing Day hours and services.

Christmas tree collection begins the week of December 31. Remember to remove all decorations, tinsel, stands and nails. The City will not collect Christmas trees set out in plastic or tree bags. Trees should be clear of snow and ice and easily accessible. The 100,000 Christmas trees collected annually are ground and mixed with leaf and yard waste to make compost. Christmas trees diverted from landfill each year help toward achieving Toronto's goal of 70 per cent diversion.

The City now accepts more plastic items for recycling (e.g. clear takeout containers, moulded bakery trays, disposable plastic plates and cups), so fill up your Blue Bin, not the landfill.

Toronto Water
Toronto Water's customer service counter located at the North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St., 2nd floor will be closed on December 25 and 26 and January 1.

There will be no water meter readings by City staff on December 25 and 26, and January 1. Customers may still submit water meter readings to the City's website at http://www.toronto.ca/utilitybill by clicking on "Enter your water meter reading online" or by using the automated telephone service at 416-397-READ (7323).

Toronto Animal Services
Holiday hours for the City's Animal Services shelters:
• December 24 and 31 - 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (adoptions until 4 p.m.)
• December 25 and 26 - closed
• December 27 to 30 - 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• January 1 - closed

Toronto Court Services
Toronto Court Services (Provincial Offences Offices) will be closed December 25, 26 and January 1.

Long-Term Care Homes and Services
The adult day programs at Bendale Acres, Cummer Lodge, Kipling Acres and Wesburn Manor will be closed on December 25 and 26 and January 1.

City of Toronto Museums
The City of Toronto's museums are open during some of the holiday period. All museums are closed on December 25 and 26 and January 1. The City's museums offer a mixture of special programming and site tours for all ages to enjoy.

Individual site admission and event details for all the museums listed here can be accessed at http://www.toronto.ca/holidays.

Colborne Lodge (Colborne Lodge Drive, High Park)
Open December 22 and 23 and December 27 to 30 (noon to 4 p.m.)
Discover the magic of Christmas in the winter wonderland surroundings of High Park and enjoy a tour of Colborne Lodge, the home of the founders of High Park. Details are available online (link provided above).

Fort York National Historic Site (250 Fort York Blvd.)
Open December 22 to 24 and December 27 to 31 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Visitors can sample baking from the 1826 Officers' Mess kitchen and soak up the warmth of a crackling wood fire while learning about the birthplace of Toronto. The Museum Store features gifts suitable for all ages and interests. Details about holiday events are available online.

Gibson House (5172 Yonge St.)
Open December 22 and 23 and December 27 to 30 (noon to 5 p.m.)
On December 22 and 23 visitors will be welcomed by costumed staff for a tour and parents and caregivers can engage children in simple hands-on activities in the Discovery Gallery. The web offers details.

Mackenzie House (82 Bond St.)
Open December 22, 23, 29 and 30 (noon to 5 p.m.); December 27 and 28 (noon to 4 p.m.)
Step back in time to Victorian Toronto and experience the magic of a traditional Christmas in an 1859 row-house. Details are available online.

Montgomery's Inn (4709 Dundas St. W.)
Open December 22, 23, 29 and 30 (1 to 5 p.m.); December 27 and 28 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Special events include The Humber River Shakespeare Company presenting a full stage production of Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" on December 22 at 2 p.m. Details and tickets: http://humberrivershakespeare.ca/index.html

Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.)
Open December 22, 23, 29, 30 (noon to 4 p.m.); December 27 and 28 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) On the weekends, visitors can tour the festively decorated McCowan Log House and Cornell House, and enjoy warm apple cider and holiday baking. On December 27 and 28, the museum will present holiday camps for children (5 to 12 years old). Pre-register for these camps at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/prd/facilities/complex/954/ or call 416-338-4FUN.

Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Rd.)
Open December 22, 23, 29 and 30 (noon to 5 p.m.); December 27 and 28 (noon to 4 p.m.)
Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of a 1920s Christmas at Spadina Museum. Details are available at http://www.toronto.ca/holidays .

Todmorden Mills Heritage Site (67 Pottery Rd.)
Holiday hours: December 22, 23, 27 to 30 (noon to 4 p.m.); December 24, 31 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Discover the simple pleasures and décor of a Regency-era Christmas. Details are available online.

Casa Loma (1 Austin Terrace)
This holiday season, Casa Loma and Opera Atelier are partnering to create "Mozart’s Magical Castle," a month-long installation that will bring Toronto’s castle to life with the sights and sounds of Mozart’s beloved opera "The Magic Flute." Event information:
http://casaloma.org/CasaLoma/docs/Mozarts%20Magical%20Castle%20FINALWEB.pdf

Casa Loma is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (last admission is 4 p.m.). It closes at 1 p.m. on December 24 and is closed on December 25. More information about Casa Loma is available at http://www.casaloma.org/.