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 until Sunday 4 January 2026.
Cemeteries
The cemetery office will be closed from Christmas Day to Saturday 27 December and again on New Year's Day. Outside these dates, it will operate with reduced hours.
All cemeteries will remain open to visitors every day from 9am to 4pm, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
At Eltham, the Chapel and Garden of Remembrance will close 15 minutes before the site closes.
The Crematorium Office will close early at 2pm on Wednesday 24 December and Wednesday 31 December.
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. An emergency out-of-hours service will then run from Christmas Day to Sunday 28 December.
For repairs only, there will be an additional emergency out-of-hours service from New Year’s Day to Sunday 4 January. Normal office hours will resume from Monday 5 January.
The freephone line to report first-time repairs is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day: 0808 175 6915.
Tenancy services will be closed on weekends and on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. On all other weekdays, services will operate as normal from 9am to 5pm.
The following housing services will provide emergency support only from 9am to 5pm between Monday 22 December and Wednesday 31 December, excluding weekends and Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day:
- 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 available 24 hours a day by calling 020 8854 8888.
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, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Sutcliffe Park, will be open with reduced hours, except on Monday 22 December, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day, when it will be closed.
On Christmas Day 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, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. With additional closures for some of our Libraries on Wednesday 24 December.
Charlton House Library will be closed from Wednesday 24 December until Sunday 28 December.
Thamesmere, Greenwich, and Plumstead Libraries will operate reduced hours on Tuesday 23 December, Wednesday 24 December, and Tuesday 30 December.
As some libraries will be open with reduced hours, or closed over the festive period make sure you look online before visiting.
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.
Over Christmas the service is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3pm but will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.