By 1808Delaware
Christmas Holiday week in Delaware has a predictable rhythm: most desks go dark, but trash trucks keep moving, just on a different beat. Here’s what actually changes around Christmas and New Year’s, and what you should do so you don’t get caught holding a bag of trash on the wrong morning.
The headline for Christmas Eve
City of Delaware offices will close at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 24, and refuse collection that morning runs on an accelerated schedule. Translation: have everything at the curb the night before, or no later than 5:00 AM. On Thursday, December 25: City offices are closed.
Trash and recycling that week
If your normal pickup day is Thursday, your “next-day” collection happens on Friday.
If your normal pickup day is Friday, your “next-day” collection happens on Saturday.
New Year’s week works the same way. On Thursday, January 1, 2026: City offices are closed. Thursday routes move to Friday, and Friday routes move to Saturday.
Live Christmas tree pickup (and yard waste)
Live trees will be collected from Monday, December 29 through Friday, January 30. Do not wrap trees in plastic. Also temove all decorations.
Extra holiday bags without tags — From Friday, December 26 through Wednesday, December 31, the City says it will collect non-tagged bags of holiday refuse placed outside the tipcart.
County offices and the public library
Delaware County government offices follow their adopted 2025 holiday schedule (including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
Delaware County District Library locations are closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25, and have an early close on Wednesday, December 31 (open until 5:00 PM).
