What’s open and what’s closed over the holidays

Note: This information was updated on Dec. 23, to reflect the closure of City facilities on Dec. 24 due to the winter storm.

Several City facilities will be closed over the holidays, but there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the season over the break.

Let it Glow

The family-friendly outdoor celebration will illuminate the city until Jan. 8, 2023. For more details, including a map of the lighting installations and a full schedule of events, visit lovestc.ca/letitglow.

Arenas

Ring in the New Year with free public skating at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre, with hour-long skates beginning at 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. 

All four skating pads will be open, with one being transformed into a glow-in-the-dark experience with black lights flooding the ice. Wear neon or white and grab a free glow stick. In addition to the skate, a special visit from a superhero and princesses are planned. Don’t forget to capture your memories in the Ontario Power Generation Family Photo Booth.

From Dec. 27 to 30, additional public skate times will be offered throughout the day at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre, starting at 9 a.m. For skate times, fees and registration visit our public skating page.

Bill Burgoyne Arena and Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre will be open on Dec. 31 until 1 p.m. and closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. Arenas are closed on Dec. 24 due to the winter storm. 

City Hall

City Hall will be closed Dec. 26, 27, and Jan. 2.

During the closures, residents can call 905.688.5600 to report any issues on City streets and sidewalks; sewer and water issues; or fallen trees. Power outages or electrical emergencies can be reported to Alectra Utilities, at 1.833.253.2872.

St. Catharines Farmers Market

The Saturday, Dec. 24 the market has been cancelled due to the winter storm. 

The last market day of the year will be Thursday, Dec. 29 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will the Discovery Table holiday activities originally scheduled for Dec. 24, will take place on this date from 9:30 a.m. to noon, including free cookies, samples of hot cider and kids' crafts

The market will reopen in the new year on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre

On Dec 31, enjoy free leisure swimming for New Year’s Eve at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre. Hour-long leisure swims begin at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m. Register in advance at activestc.ca.

The aquatics centre will be open on Dec. 31 until 1 p.m. and closed on Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. With the winter storm, the aquatics centre will now also be closed on Dec. 24.

Victoria Lawn Cemetery Offices

The Victoria Lawn Cemetery will be open until noon on Dec. 24 for interments. Offices will be closed on Dec. 25 and 26. The office will be open on Dec 27 until 1 p.m., and interments will take place at the Saturday rate. Interments for Dec. 27 must be booked no later than noon on Dec. 24.

The cemetery will be open on Dec. 31 until noon for interments, but the office remains closed that day. Offices will be closed on Jan. 1 and 2.

Regular operations resume on Jan. 3, however interments for this day must be booked no later than noon on Dec. 31.

St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre

The museum will be closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. Due to the winter storm, the museum will also be closed on Dec. 24.

Community Centres

Russell Avenue Community Centre will be open until 10:30 a.m. on Dec 31 and closed on Dec. 25, 26, 27 and Jan 1. It will now be closed on Dec. 24 due to the winter storm.

Port Weller Community Centre will be closed Dec. 24 to 26 and Jan 1.

Older Adult Centres

Dunlop Drive Older Adult Centre will close at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 31. The centre will be closed on Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1. Due to the winter storm, it will also be closed on Dec. 24.

West St. Catharines Older Adult Centre is closed Dec. 24, 25, 26, and Jan. 1.

St. Catharines Transit

City buses will end service early on Dec. 24 with the last buses leaving the terminal at 7:45 p.m. No service will be offered on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Transit will run under a modified holiday schedule on Dec. 26.

There is no charge for transit on Dec. 31 starting at 8 p.m. There will be extended service on New Year’s Eve with the last buses leaving the terminal at 1:45 a.m. For more information on transit schedules visit www.yourbus.com.

Niagara Region Transit will connect all of Niagara through a single system by consolidating the existing Niagara Region Transit, Niagara Falls Transit, St. Catharines, Welland Transit and Fort Erie Transit systems starting on Jan. 1, 2023.

New Year’s Day Levee

The New Year’s Day Levee is returning for the first time since 2020. This annual tradition is cohosted by The Lincoln and Welland Regiment and the 10th Battery, RCA. The public is welcome to join the Mayor and council on Jan. 1, 2023, at the Lake Street Armoury - located at 81 Lake Street, St. Catharines - from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to ring in the new year.