As we approach the festive season, families across Greenwich will be spending quality time together and celebrating Christmas.
During this period, most council services will continue to run, although some will have adjusted opening hours.
Here’s everything you need to know about using local services over the holidays.
Waste collections and recycling
- Monday 22 December – collected as normal
- Tuesday 23 December – collected as normal
- Wednesday 24 December – collected as normal
- Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day) – collected on Saturday 27 December
- Friday 26 December (Boxing Day) – collected on Sunday 28 December
- Monday 29 December – collected as normal
- Tuesday 30 December – collected as normal
- Wednesday 31 December – collected as normal
- Thursday 1 January (New Year’s Day) – collected on Friday 2 January
- Friday 2 January – collected on Saturday 3 January
Bulky collections and deliveries will be closed from Wednesday 24 December and reopen on Monday 5 January.
Clinical waste collections will continue over the holiday period but will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
The Reuse and Recycling Centre in Nathan Way is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6.30pm; Saturday, 8am to 5pm; and Sunday, 9am to 4.30pm. It will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Contacting the council
The Woolwich Centre will be open as normal apart from bank holidays and weekends.
The Eltham Centre will be closed on Monday 22 December and Wednesday 31 December, and on Wednesday 24 December it will close early at 2pm. On other weekdays, it will be open as usual, excluding bank holidays and weekends.
When closed, an out of hours service will be available by calling 020 8854 8888.
Adventure Play Centres
Closed from Monday 22 December to Friday 26 December.
Cemeteries
The cemetery office will be closed from Thursday 25 December to Saturday 27 December and again on Thursday 1 January 2025. Outside these dates, it will operate with reduced hours.
Eltham Crematorium and Cemetery Grounds will be open from 9am to 4pm daily, including Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Chapel and Garden of Remembrance will close 15 minutes before site closure.
Additionally, the Crematorium Office will close on Wednesday 24 December and Wednesday 31 December at 2pm.
Advice Hubs
The last Advice Hub session for 2025 will take place at the Forum on Monday 22 December.
The first Advice Hub session for 2026 will take place at the Forum on Monday 5 January.
Council homes
Repairs and caretaking services will operate as normal until Wednesday 24 December, after which an emergency out-of-hours service will run from Thursday 25 December to Sunday 28 December.
For repairs, there will be an additional emergency out-of-hours service between Thursday 1 January and Sunday 4 January. Normal office hours will operate from Monday 5 January.
The freephone line to report first-time repairs is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays): 0808 175 6915.
Tenancy services will be closed on bank holidays and weekends but open from 9am to 5pm otherwise.
The following housing services will provide emergency support from 9am to 5pm between Monday 22 December and Wednesday 31 December, excluding bank holidays and weekends:
- Housing Inclusion – emergency help for people who are homeless and need urgent advice or assistance.
- Temporary Accommodation – emergency support for urgent queries or repair issues.
An out-of-hours emergency housing service is also available by calling 020 8854 8888 (24-hour line).
Leisure centres
Between Wednesday 24 December and Thursday 1 January, opening times may vary, so please check before visiting.
All leisure centres will be closed on Monday 22 December, Thursday 25 December, and Friday 26 December, except Sutcliffe Park, which will be open with reduced hours on Wednesday 24 December.
On Thursday 25 December and Wednesday 31 December, Coldharbour and Plumstead Centre will be closed.
These opening hours do not include the brand-new Woolwich Waves; this will be announced separately so keep an eye out for an announcement across our channels.
Check opening hours and book sessions.
Libraries
All libraries will be closed on Monday 22 December, Wednesday 24 December, Thursday 25 December, and Friday 26 December.
Charlton House Library will be closed from Monday 22 December until Friday 26 December as well as Sunday 28 December and Wednesday 31 December.
On Wednesday 24 December and Wednesday 31 December, all libraries (except Charlton House Library) will open with reduced hours.
Thamesmere, Greenwich, and Plumstead Libraries will operate reduced hours onTuesday 23 December, Wednesday 24 December, and Tuesday 30 December.
Eltham Library will operate reduced hours on Tuesday 23 December and Wednesday 24 December.
Parks
The Tarn, Fairy Hill Park, Southwood Park, Hornfair Park, St Alfeges Park, St Mary’s and Plumstead Gardens will be closed on Christmas Day. All other parks and open spaces will remain open.
Healthcare and emergencies
If you need advice or medication for minor health concerns such as coughs, colds, upset stomach, aches or pains, visit your local pharmacy. Many are open late and at weekends and you do not need an appointment.
For non-life-threatening conditions, call NHS 111 first.
Mental health and wellbeing support
If you need support or have concerns about your mental health over the festive period, call Live Well Greenwich on 0800 470 4831.
The service is open from 9am to 3pm and will be closed from Thursday 25 December to Friday 26 December and on Sunday 28 December and Thursday 1 January.