(Washington, DC) – On Wednesday, December 24, District Government offices will be open with modified hours, closing early in observance of Christmas Eve. On Thursday, December 25, District Government will observe the Christmas Day holiday. While some services will be affected, many District employees will continue serving to maintain essential District operations.
What’s Open on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25
Access to Emergency Shelter
All low-barrier shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness operate year-round. The following low-barrier shelters are open 24 hours and will remain open all day on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25 (except where noted).
Women
- Harriet Tubman – 1910 Massachusetts Avenue SE
- Pat Handy – 810 5th Street NW
- St. Josephine Bakhita – 6010 Georgia Avenue NW (7 pm -7 am only)
Men
- 801 East – 2722 Martin L. King Jr Avenue SE
- Adams Place – 2210 Adams Place NE
- Emery – 1725 Lincoln Road NE
- New York Avenue – 1355 New York Avenue NE
LGBTQ+
- Living Life Alternative – 400 50th Street SE
From November through March, the District increases its shelter capacity by mobilizing hypothermia shelters. The following hypothermia shelters will be open around the clock from Wednesday, December 24 at 7 am until Friday, December 26 at 7 am.
Women
- Eve’s Place – 2210 Adams Place NE
- Harbor Light – 2100 New York Avenue NE
Men
- 801 East Day Center – 2722 Martin L. King Jr Avenue SE
- Emery Hypothermia – 1725 Lincoln Road NE
- Federal City 1 North – 425 2nd Street NW
- Naylor Road – 2601 Naylor Road SE
- Salvation Army – 3335 Sherman Avenue NW
Please note: Adjustments to hours and facilities may occur if circumstances dictate (e.g., utility issues, weather-related access, etc.)
Individuals and families seeking accessible transportation to homeless services should call the DC Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311 at any time of the day or night.
The Downtown Day Services Center (The Center), located at 1313 New York Avenue NW, provides walk-in services to individuals experiencing homelessness with no appointment required. The Center will be open on Wednesday, December 24 from 9 am to 5 pm and on Thursday, December 25 from 9 am to 3 pm. Entry will be permitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests will be provided with a wristband that must be worn while in the Center.
Zoe’s Doors Youth Drop-In Center for residents experiencing homelessness, located at 900 Rhode Island Avenue NE, offers a safe place for youth 24 hours a day and will be open on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25.
DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH): Anyone feeling anxious or depressed or facing mental health or substance use disorders can call/text 988 anytime to talk with a trained, caring crisis counselor for free, confidential support. If you are concerned about a family member or friend, you can call and talk about ways to support them.
The following services also are open on Thursday, December 25:
- The 24/7 DC Stabilization Center, located at 35 K Street NE, supports adults experiencing a substance use disorder crisis at no cost. Walk in anytime.
- The 24/7 emergency psychiatric clinic (called CPEP), located at 1905 E Street SE, provides 24/7 emergency psychiatric care for adults at no cost. Walk in anytime.
- The 24/7 Community Response Team (CRT) will travel to the home or a community location to support adults and youth experiencing a psychiatric or alcohol/drug crisis with an on-the-spot assessment and counseling. Call 202-673-6495.
Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) outdoor parks, playgrounds, athletic courts, and fields will be open. All previously permitted events will take place as scheduled.
Modified Service Adjustments
The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) will not collect household trash, recycling, and food waste on Thursday, December 25. Trash, recycling, and food waste collections will “slide” for the remainder of the week into Saturday. For example, households that normally receive trash, recycling, and food waste collections on Thursday, December 25 will be serviced on Friday, December 26. Leaf collection will operate on schedule.
- The Benning Road Transfer Station is closed for renovations until further notice. The Fort Totten Transfer Station will be closed to the public on Thursday, December 25. All services will resume on Friday, December 26 for bulk trash and recycling.
Construction:
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will suspend construction and work zones for non-emergency work in roadways, alleys, and sidewalks within the District’s right of way. This includes manhole access and construction-related deliveries. Approved construction activities may resume Friday, December 26 during permitted work hours.
Lane Restrictions:
DDOT will suspend reversible lane operations citywide on Thursday, December 25 on the following roads:
- Canal Road between Chain Bridge and Foxhall Road NW
- 16th Street NW between Irving Street and Arkansas Avenue NW
Reversible lane operations on Rock Creek Parkway (controlled by the National Park Service) will be suspended from Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, December 26.
The DC Department of Buildings (DOB) will not allow construction on Thursday, December 25 without an issued after-hours permit. Regular construction activity may resume on Friday, December 26. Construction activity that proceeds on the holiday without this required permit will result in a Stop Work Order. Illegal construction reports can be made using the Illegal Construction Inspection Request Form or after-hours by calling 311. To learn more about the authorized construction hours and how to apply for an after hours permit, please view the After Hours Permit webpage. DOB offers many online services, tools, and resources, enabling customers to conduct business 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Parking Enforcement:
All parking enforcement will be suspended on Thursday, December 25, except for Streetcar ticketing and towing. Parking enforcement will resume on Friday, December 26.
DC Streetcar will not operate on Thursday, December 25. Riders can visit dcstreetcar.com for the latest updates on routes and schedules.
What’s Closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25
DC Public Schools (DCPS) will be closed for Winter Break starting Monday, December 22 and will reopen on Monday, January 5.
DC Public Library (DCPL) locations will be closed on Thursday, December 25, 2025. Additionally, Library hours will be reduced on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. On that day, Neighborhood Libraries will be open from 9 am to 1 pm, Co-Located Libraries from 10 am to 1 pm, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will operate from 9:30 am to 1 pm. The Library will be available online at dclibrary.org. For more information on available Library programs, visit dclibrary.org or download the Library’s app.
Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) recreation centers, community centers, indoor aquatic centers, and offices will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25. DPR facilities will resume normal hours on Friday, December 26.
The Department of Human Services Economic Security Administration Service Centers will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.
The Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, the central intake office for all families in the District of Columbia seeking assistance with their housing needs, will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.
The DC Health & Wellness Center (77 P Street NE) will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.
DC Health’s Vital Records Division will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.
DC Health’s Licensing and Renewal Division will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25, with the exception of the online license applications system which will be available at doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page.
All Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) locations will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25 in observance of Christmas Day. Customers are encouraged to visit the DMV website at dmv.dc.gov for available services online or download the agency’s free mobile app.
The Department of Employment Services Navigation Call Center and all-American Job Centers will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25. Residents are encouraged to file unemployment insurance claims online at does.dc.gov.
The Sasha Bruce Youth Drop-In Centers for District residents experiencing homelessness will be open on Wednesday, December 24 and closed on Thursday, December 25.
The Latin American Youth Center Youth Drop-In Center for District residents experiencing homelessness, located at 3045 15th Street NW, will be open on Wednesday, December 24 and closed on Thursday, December 25.
The Adams Place Day Center for District residents experiencing homelessness, located at 2210 Adams Place NE, will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.
The 801 East Day Center for District residents experiencing homelessness, located at 2722 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 24 and remain closed on Thursday, December 25.
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