What’s Open & Closed in Owen Sound this Holiday Season

'Tis the season for winter holidays, and the City is reminding residents of facility closures and modified hours for some programs and services. Plan ahead so you can spend quality time with family and friends.  

City Hall:

Closed Wednesday, December 24, at 12 p.m. through Thursday, January 1. Regular hours of operation resume at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 2.

Public Works:

The administrative building will close at noon on Wednesday, December 24, through Thursday, January 1. Regular hours of operation resume at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, January 5.  Winter Maintenance continues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Transit:

The Transit Terminal will be closed on Thursday, December 25.  It will be open on Friday, December 26, and Monday, January 1, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  All other days, regular hours will resume (Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.).

Owen Sound Transit and Mobility Transit will not be running on Thursday, December 25, Friday, December 26 or Thursday, January 1.

Guelph Owen Sound Transit (GOST) will be closed on Thursday, December 25 and will remain operating its regular schedule every other day.

Waste Management:

The Transfer Station will be closed on Thursday, December 25, Friday, December 26 and Thursday, January 1.

2026 Waste Collection calendars are now available online or at City Hall for pickup. Due to the holiday schedule, garbage/recycling and green bin collection normally picked up on Thursday, December 25, will be picked up (earlier) on Monday, December 22. Regular garbage/recycling and green bin collection will take place on Friday, December 26. Garbage/recycling and green bin collection scheduled for Thursday, January 1, will be picked up (earlier) on Monday, December 29.

Compost Site/Natural Christmas Trees:

The Leaf & Yard Waste Compost Site is closed until December 26, when it will reopen from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Until Monday, January 12, residents of Owen Sound, Georgian Bluffs and the Municipality of Meaford can dispose of all natural Christmas trees at the compost site at 2450 28th Street East, free of charge.

Please make sure your tree can be composted properly by following our simple guidelines:

• Remove all ornaments, decorations, lights, and tinsel
• Do not leave your tree in a plastic bag or other material
• Trees sprayed with snow foam cannot be accepted

Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library:

The Library will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24. It will be closed from December 25 - 28, as well as closing at 1 p.m. on December 31 and remaining closed on January 1. Open regular Library hours on all other days.

Tom Thomson Art Gallery:

The TOM and Tourism at the TOM will be open to the public 10 am – 5 pm, now until Saturday, December 20.

Over the holidays, the TOM will be open December 23, 27, 30 and January 2 and 3 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. It will return to regular public hours on Tuesday, January 6 (regular hours include Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Recreational Facilities:

The Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 at 12 p.m. and all day Thursday, December 25. It will also be closed on Saturday, December 27.  It will close early at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, after the New Year’s Eve Family event. Regular business hours will resume on Thursday, January 2.

The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce (located within the Julie McArthur Rec Centre) will close at noon on Wednesday, December 24.  It will remain closed on Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26. It will be open modified hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on December 27 and 28.  The Y will be open on Tuesday, December 31, until 12 p.m., then will co-host a New Year’s Family event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. that day. It will reopen on Wednesday, January 1, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Modified hours will also be in effect on January 3 and 4, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Please check the YMCA’s holiday schedule for hours and program changes over the holidays.

The Bayshore Community Centre will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26.  It will also be closed on Wednesday, December 31 and Thursday, January 1.  Regular business hours will resume on Friday, January 2.

Owen Sound Police:

Police Services are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For non-emergencies, call 519-376-1234, and for emergencies, call 911.

Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services:

Fire Services are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For non-emergencies, call 519-376-2512, and for emergencies, call 911.

By-law Enforcement:

The By-law department will be closed beginning Wednesday, December 24 at 12 p.m. through to Thursday, January 1. Regular hours of operation resume at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2.  

Complaints or questions can always be submitted online, anytime.  For urgent after-hour complaints related to noise, nuisance, or parking, please contact Owen Sound Police.

City service information is available online 24/7 at OwenSound.ca.

The City of Owen Sound wishes everyone a safe and healthy holiday season.

For more information, please contact Tim Simmonds, City Manager at 519-376-4440 ext. 1210 or email tsimmonds@owensound.ca

Quick Facts:

• All 24-hour services, such as winter maintenance, Owen Sound Fire & Emergency Services and Owen Sound Police Services, remain uninterrupted over the holidays.
• City service information is available online 24/7 at OwenSound.ca.
• For local road closures, construction or traffic disruptions, visit OwenSound.ca/Construction, which shows active Municipal 511 listings
• 211 Social and Community Supports remain available in non-emergency situations (dial or text 2-1-1 from a phone for support).

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