Christmas And New Year Opening Hours Confirmed For Isle Of Wight Council Services

The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed changes to service opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period.

Most council services will remain open until 4.30pm on Wednesday (24 December).

Many will then reopen between Monday (29 December) and Wednesday (31 December) before closing again on New Year’s Day.

The majority of services will return to normal on Friday (2 January 2026).

Essential and emergency services

Adult social care and housing emergency support will be available out of hours via Wightcare on 821105.

Concerns about a vulnerable adult or child in an emergency should be reported to police by calling 999.

Children’s Services safeguarding support will remain available 24 hours a day on 823435.

Highways emergencies, including flooding or fallen trees, should be reported to Island Roads on 822440.

Contact centres and help hubs

The council’s Contact Centre and Newport Help Centre close on Christmas Eve and reopen on Monday, 29 December, before closing again on New Year’s Day.

Ryde Help Centre will reopen on Friday, 2 January.

Waste and recycling

Bin collections will change on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with collections moving later in the week.

No bulky waste or reuse collections will take place on 25 or 26 December, or on 1 January. Normal collections resume from Monday, 5 January.

Household Waste and Recycling Centres at Lynnbottom and Afton Marsh will be closed on Christmas Day but otherwise operate as normal.

Libraries, leisure and parking

All Island libraries will close by Christmas Eve and reopen on Friday, 2 January.

Leisure centres will operate reduced hours over the festive period, with closures on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Parking services close on Christmas Eve and reopen on Monday, 29 December.

Transport

The Cowes Floating Bridge will continue to operate over Christmas and New Year, with amended timetables.

Passengers are advised to check the service status before travelling.

Residents are encouraged to check the Isle of Wight Council website for full details of individual services and opening times over the festive period.