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You’ve sleighed the to-do list, are on a roll with the wrapping and are ready to be in the present moment.

The City of Hamilton’s on the same page — reining in services between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

We’ve made a list of what’s open and closed, and checked it twice. Here’s what you should know about holiday hours in the area.

City buses

The Hamilton Street Railway customer service counter at the Hamilton GO Centre will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

It will be closed Dec. 25 and 26, and Jan. 1, the city says.

Between Dec. 29 and 31, it will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Christmas Day:

For those who doesn’t have nine reindeer on call, city buses will run on a special schedule Dec. 25.

The last trips on Christmas will leave downtown at 9 p.m., the city says. There will be no service on routes 12 Wentworth and 42 Mohawk East.

MyRide Waterdown and Trans-Cab will run from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Boxing Day:

On Dec. 26, the some routes will operate on a Saturday schedule, including 1, 2, 16, 21, 25, 26, 41 and 43. All other routes that run on Sunday will operate on a Sunday schedule.

12 Wentworth and 42 Mohawk East will again not be in service.

MyRide Waterdown and Trans-Cab will run from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.

New Year’s Eve:

Buses on Dec. 31 will operate on their regular weekday schedules with free service after 6 p.m.

MyRide Waterdown and Trans-Cab will run from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

New Year’s Day:

Jan. 1 will see buses operate on a Sunday schedule, with no service for 12 Wentworth and 42 Mohawk East.

MyRide Waterdown and Trans-Cab will run from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.

DARTS

The accessible transportation office will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1.

All subscription trips will also be cancelled except for dialysis, the city says.

Reservations are required for service on those holidays.

GO Transit

GO trains and buses will operate on a Saturday schedule on Christmas Day, Box Day and New Year’s Day.

Service will be free on New Year’s Eve starting at 7 p.m.

Some buses and trains won’t run as often between Dec. 20 and Jan. 5. Details can be found here.

Waste collection

Garbage day is coming to town, although a little late for some.

No waste will be collected on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1, the city says. It will instead be collected a day later.

Have a natural Christmas tree to get rid of after the holiday? They’ll be collected the first two weeks of January on your regular collection day.

Community recycling centres will be closed Dec. 25, 28 and Jan. 1 and close early Dec. 24 and 31 at 3 p.m.

Public spaces

Looking to curate a happy holiday? Check these schedules ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out.

Civic museums will be closed Dec. 25, 26, and 29, and Jan. 1.

Recreation centres and arenas will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, and close early Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at 4 p.m.

Individual recreation centre schedules can be found through this web page.

The Tropical Greenhouse at Gage Park will be closed Dec. 25 and 26, and Jan. 1. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve it will close early at 2 p.m.

From Dec. 27 to 30, the greenhouse will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hamilton Public Library branches will be closed Dec. 25, 26 and 28, and Jan. 1. Holiday hours are in effect the days it is open between Dec. 24 to Jan. 3.

The Hamilton Farmer’s Market is open Dec. 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Dec. 27, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Dec. 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30, and Jan. 1.

Other city services

All administrative offices will be closed between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Services not available those days include:

• Health Connections.
• Housing Services Office.
• Provincial Offences Administration Office for traffic violations, although tickets can be paid online.
• Licensing and by-law services phone queue and service counters.
• Municipal service centres.

Municipal law enforcement officers will not enforce “routine matters or complaints” From Dec. 24 at 4:30 p.m. until Jan. 2 at 8 a.m, the city says.

They will continue to enforce health and safety matters such as a lack of heat and water.

The adult day program at Macassa Lodge will be closed Dec. 25 and 26, and Jan. 1.

The Animal Services Office and shelter will be closed on the holidays, but open the other days.

Notice of Public Meeting for a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment in accordance with Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended. The lands are known municipally as 2371 Merrittville Highway.

Public Meeting
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location:  Hybrid format; in-person at City Hall in the Council Chamber, or virtually via the City’s YouTube channel.

Owners/Agents: Don Spiece – Merrittville Speedway Entertainment Inc. and Greg Hynde – Urban Environments
File: D14-11-2025
Location: 2371 Merrittville Highway

Overview
A Zoning By-law Amendment has been submitted to rezone the subject lands at 2371 Merrittville Highway to a site-specific Special Exception Specialty Crop Holding AS (H) to permit reduced Minimum Lot Area of 9.9 hectares and the existing use of a Speedway and the ancillary uses, buildings and structures currently existing on the property. Ancillary uses include administrative offices, customer viewing areas, driver facilities, patron parking, driver overnight camping area, washroom facilities, small-scale outdoor food and beverage structures, and limited small-scale events. Future uses will also be discussed.

PT TWP LOT 128

Provide your Input

If you wish to provide oral comments at the Public Meeting, please register in advance by filling out the online form at the button below or by calling 905-227-6613 ext. 316 during regular business hours prior to January 12, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Once you register, you will be provided information on how to make your submission at the Public Meeting. Those who do not register before the deadline may attend the meeting and speak after all registered speakers have presented.

Meeting Registration Form

You may participate either in person in the Council Chamber at City Hall (3540 Schmon Parkway, Thorold) or virtually over Zoom. To participate virtually, you will need access to either a computer with internet service or a telephone. 

You may also make a written submission to the City of Thorold. Send written submissions and Requests of Notice of Decision to:

Development Services Department, Planning Division
8 Carleton St S, Thorold, ON L2V 5C2

Unless indicated otherwise, personal information and all comments will become part of the public record and will be made available to the public and used by members of Council and City staff. Written submissions received by Friday, January 9 will be published with the Council Agenda. 

Accessibility accommodations to participate in the meeting can be made by contacting the City Clerk at clerk@thorold.ca.

Accessibility accommodations to participate in the meeting can be made by contacting the City Clerk at clerk@thorold.ca

Need more information? Contact us!

Development Services Department, Planning Division
planning@thorold.ca
905-227-6613 x 316

Additional information and material may be obtained from the City of Thorold Planning Division at Development Services Department, 8 Carleton St. S., Thorold between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Studies and reports that have been submitted in conjunction with this application can be found on the City of Thorold website at: https://www.thorold.ca/en/city-hall/current-development-applications.aspx 

Legal Notice

Only the applicant, specified person and public bodies as defined in the Planning Act, and registered owners of lands to which the By-law will apply and who made submissions at this public meeting or who have made written submissions to the City before the bylaw is passed, will be able to appeal the decision of the City of Thorold to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

No person or public body shall be added as a party to the hearing of the appeal unless, before the plan was adopted, the person or public body made oral submissions at a public meeting or written submissions to the council or, in the opinion of the Ontario Land Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

If you wish to be notified of the decision of the City of Thorold in respect of the proposed Zoning By-law Amendments, you must make a written request (include your name and mailing address) to the City of Thorold, P.O. Box 1044, 3540 Schmon Parkway, Thorold, Ontario  L2V 4A7.

If applicable, the City requests that this notice be posted by the owner of any land that contains seven or more residential units in a location that is visible to all of the residents.

Dated at the City of Thorold this 23 day of December, 2025.