Opening Hours

Council Service Updates for Christmas and New Year – December 2025 to January 2026

Opening Times

Bin Collections and Recycling Centres

There will be adjusted household bin collection schedules over the Christmas and New Year period:

• Blue and Brown bins scheduled for Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December) will be collected on Saturday 20 December.
• Blue and Brown bins scheduled for Boxing Day (Friday 26 December) will be collected on Saturday 27 December.
• Black and Brown bins scheduled for New Year’s Day (Thursday 1 January 2026) will be collected on Saturday 3 January.

All Recycling Centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.

Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24 December) and New Year’s Eve (Wednesday 31 December):

• Pennyburn, Strahan’s Road, Strathfoyle: Closing at 4pm
• All other sites: Closing at 2pm

Recycling Centres will operate as normal on all other dates.
The public is kindly reminded that staffing levels may be reduced during the holidays, and abusive or discourteous behaviour toward staff will not be tolerated.

Civic Offices

Council offices on Strand Road, Derry, and Derry Road, Strabane will close from Wednesday 24 December, reopening on Monday 29 December.
Offices will also be closed on New Year’s Day, Thursday 1 January 2026.

Visitor Services

Guildhall and Tower Museum will operate adjusted festive hours:

• Monday 22 – Tuesday 23 December: Tower Museum last entry 4pm; Guildhall open until 5pm.
• Wednesday 24 – Friday 26 December: Both venues closed.
• Saturday 27 – Wednesday 31 December: Tower Museum last entry 4pm; Guildhall open until 5pm.
• Thursday 1 January 2026: Both venues closed.
• Friday 2 – Sunday 4 January: Festive hours as above.
• Normal operating hours resume Monday 5 January.

Admission:

• Guildhall: Free entry; guided tours £3 per person (advance booking required).
• Tower Museum: £6 adults, £4 concessions, £3 children, £16 family ticket; guided tours £3 per person (advance booking required).
  Both venues accept card payments.

All Council-managed cemeteries and parks will operate as normal throughout the festive period.

Registry Offices

The Registration of Births and Deaths office in Derry will close on Wednesday 24 December and reopen on Friday 2 January.
Strabane Registry Offices will close on Wednesday 24 December and reopen on Monday 5 January.

The Derry office will open for emergency death registration appointments only on 29, 30, and 31 December from 10am–12:30pm.

Dog Warden

The Council will continue to provide its Out of Hours Service for ongoing dog attacks on persons or animals throughout the Christmas period.
If you require this service, please contact 07734 128096.

Whilst there is no obligation to respond to other serious matters outside normal hours, the Dog Warden may do so following an assessment of any voicemail messages left.

Leisure Services

All Leisure Centres across the Council area will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. On New Year’s Eve, Brooke Park, Foyle Arena, Templemore SC, Riversdale LC, Melvin SC and Derg Valley LC will all be open. The rest of Council sites will be closed.

Saturday 27^th December

• Open: Foyle Arena, Templemore SC, Riversdale LC, Melvin SC and Derg Valley LC
• Closed: Bishops Field, Daisyfield Sports Centre, Waterside Shared Village, Brandywell, Brooke Park, City Baths

Sunday 28^th December

• Open: Brooke Park, Foyle Arena, Templemore SC, Riversdale LC, Melvin SC and Derg Valley LC
• Closed: Bishops Field, Daisyfield Sports Centre, Waterside Shared Village and Brandywell.

Monday 29^th December

• Open: Daisyfield Sports Centre, Brandywell, Brooke Park, Foyle Arena, Templemore SC, Riversdale LC, Melvin SC and Derg Valley LC
• Closed: Bishops Field, Waterside Shared Village, City Baths

Tuesday 30^th December

• Open: Daisyfield Sports Centre, Brandywell, Brooke Park, Foyle Arena, Templemore SC, Riversdale LC, Melvin SC and Derg Valley LC
• Closed: Bishops Field, Waterside Shared Village, City Baths