Here's a look at what will be open and closed on the Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Here's a look at what will be open and closed on the Christmas Day and Boxing Day

BUSINESSES

It looks like 5 p.m. is the Christmas shopping deadline. Most grocery stores, malls and NSLC locations indicate they will close their doors for the holidays at 5 p.m on Dec. 24.

Both Christmas Day and Boxing Day are designated retail closing days in Nova Scotia, which means you can expect almost everything to be shut down for the two-day stretch.

You may be able to find some pharmacies open on Christmas Day, but many will be closed. Many, but not all, will have reduced operating hours on Boxing Day.

Several other businesses will close early on Christmas Eve and stay closed on the 25th and 26th, it's best to call ahead.

TRANSPORTATION

It will be free to cross the MacKay and Macdonald bridges on Dec. 25.

Halifax Transit buses will be operating on holiday service schedules on Christmas Day with no Alderney or Woodside Ferry service.

Buses and ferries will operate on holiday service on Boxing Day. Check online for individual route information.

RECREATION

The Emera Oval will be open for public skates throughout the holidays, but as they are weather dependent, residents might want to check online before leaving.

Many other municipal recreation facilities will be closed on Christmas Day.

SERVICES

There will be no Canada Post delivery on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

Most Halifax Public Library branches will close on Christmas Eve at 1 p.m. and remain closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

There will be no garbage, organics or recyclables collection on Christmas Day. If that's your day, curbside collection will take place on the succeeding Saturday, Dec. 28.

Curbside collection will take place as usual on Boxing Day.

The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Sunday, Dec. 29. It will be open Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

The Halifax Recycling Plant and municipal composting facilities will be closed Christmas Day but will be open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

The Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake will be closed Saturday, Dec. 28.

The 311 Contact Centre will be closed for general inquires on Christmas Day but Haligonians can still call 311 for urgent requests concerning transportation, municipal operations, facilities, animal services and illegally parked vehicles.

The five Customer Service Centres that provide in-person access to municipal services and payments Monday to Friday, will be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.