By Coral Gables Gazette staff
The City of Coral Gables will observe modified hours of operation across city offices, services, and facilities over the Christmas holiday, with full closures on Christmas Day and adjusted schedules in the days leading up to it. The changes affect everything from administrative offices and recreational facilities to sanitation services and local transit, requiring residents to plan ahead during one of the city’s busiest weeks.
City offices closed for two days
City administrative offices will be closed on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25. The closure aligns with the city’s standard holiday schedule and applies to all municipal departments housed in City Hall and other administrative buildings.
Sanitation services adjusted
Garbage, recycling, and trash pickup will not operate on Christmas Day. To accommodate the missed service, residential trash collection normally scheduled for Thursday will instead take place on Saturday, Dec. 27. City officials are encouraging residents to plan accordingly, particularly given the increased volume of holiday waste.
Residents disposing of Christmas trees and oversized cardboard boxes are advised to follow city recycling guidelines to ensure proper handling during the post-holiday period.
Modified hours on Christmas Eve
Several city-operated facilities will remain open on Wednesday, Dec. 24, though most will close earlier than usual.
The War Memorial Youth Center will operate from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., while both the Granada Golf Course and the Golf and Country Club Athletic Club will be open during the same hours. Tennis facilities will operate on abbreviated schedules, with the Salvadore Tennis Center and the William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center open from 7 a.m. to noon.
The Venetian Pool, Adult Activity Center, and Passport Acceptance Facility will be closed for the day.
Transit runs before the holiday, pauses on Christmas Day
Public transportation services will follow a split schedule. The city trolley will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, while Freebee service will run from 10 a.m. to midnight. Both services will operate normally on Wednesday but will not run on Christmas Day.
Residents and visitors relying on city transit are advised to make alternate transportation arrangements for Thursday.
Christmas Day closures, with one exception
All city facilities will be closed on Christmas Day, with a single exception. The Granada Golf Course will remain open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering one of the few recreational options available on the holiday itself.
Planning ahead during a busy week
City officials emphasize that the holiday schedule is intended to balance operational needs with employee time off while maintaining essential services where possible. With large gatherings, increased waste, and heightened visitor traffic common during the Christmas week, advance planning remains the best way for residents to avoid disruptions.
Updated information about recycling procedures, facility schedules, and city services is available through official city communications.
