All the Holiday Things

We know there is a lot of information to take in over the holiday season, so we put together this page to be your one-stop shop for all the holiday things!
We know there is a lot of information to take in over the holiday season, so we put together this page to be your one-stop shop for all the holiday things!

Curious about Cart Collection

If your regular cart collection day falls on a Wednesday, your collection day will be changing for December 25 and January 1. Here’s your new schedule:

Regular collection/Neighbourhood Collection day week of December 25 Collection day week of January 1
Wednesday, Zone 1: Bower, Inglewood, Ironstone Thursday, December 26 (Black Cart) Thursday, January 2 (Blue and Green Carts)
Wednesday, Zone 1: Sunnybrook, Southbrook Friday, December 27 (Black Cart) Friday, January 3 (Blue and Green Carts)
Wednesday, Zone 2: Evergreen, Woodlea, Waskasoo, McKenzie Trail,   Michener West, Downtown, Parkvale, Southhill  Thursday, December 26 (Blue and Green Carts) Thursday, January 2 (Black Cart)
Wednesday, Zone 2: Mountview, Grandview Friday, December 27 (Blue and Green Carts) Friday, January 3 (Black Cart)

*All other cart collection schedules are unchanged.

Print your cart collection schedule:

Make the most of your carts by sorting waste into the right carts. Each year, we get questions about what common holiday items go into which cart, so we’ve made it a little easier for you this year with the list below. If you have a question about an item not on this list, use our waste sorting tool.

Where does it go?

Find out which cart is the best place for your waste by typing in the name of the item here:

Blue Cart Green Cart Black Cart
Plastic containers #1-7 Real tree (chopped into small pieces to fit) Plastic bags/film from packaging
Envelopes Real tree branches/wreaths (wire ring and decorations removed) Fake trees/garland/wreaths
Cardboard Festive live plants (pots, cards and any plastic tags removed) Decorations/glass and ceramic ornaments
Cardboard boxes Leftover food Wrapping paper/Tissue paper
Cans Turkey carcasses Ribbon
  Food-soaked paper towels Styrofoam
  Facial tissues Packing peanuts
  Gingerbread houses Parchment paper
    Zip ties/Twist ties
    Clear plastic packaging
    Tinsel
    Gift bags
    Greeting cards
    Bubble wrap
    Christmas lights

Do you know batteries and used electronics can be dropped off for FREE at the Waste Management Facility? The Waste Management Facility is located at 1709 – 40 Avenue (south of 19 Street on the east side of 40 Avenue) and is open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They are closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Find Facility Hours

Other City facilities and services have adjusted hours and schedules during the holidays. Here’s what you need to know and where you can find some more information if you have any questions.

Administration offices

City Hall and City Administrative Offices are closed from December 25, 2024 until January 1, 2025, inclusive.

Red Deer Transit

Plan your trip and track your bus in real time at mybus.reddeer.ca

Date Regular Transit Action Bus
Sunday, December 22, 2024
  • Will operate on regular Sunday/holiday schedule
  • First Sorensen Station departure will be at 8 a.m.
  • Last Sorensen Station departure will be 7:45 p.m.
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration will be closed
  • No Dynamic Shuttle services
  • Regular Action Bus phone lines
  • Regular Action Bus services
Monday, December 23, 2024
  • Will operate on regular Monday-Saturday schedule
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration will be open
  • Dynamic Shuttle services available for areas not serviced by Route 1, 2, 3, and 4 after 8 p.m., outbound from Sorensen Station.
  • Regular Action Bus phone lines
  • Regular Action Bus services
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
  • Regular schedules with last departure from Sorensen Station at 6:45 p.m.
  • No Dynamic Shuttle Service
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration open until 12 p.m.
  • Limited pre-booked service
  • Phone lines open until 4 p.m.
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
  • No Service on December 25, 2024.
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration will be closed
  • Limited pre-booked service
  • Phone lines closed
Thursday, December 26, 2024
  • Regular Sunday/Holiday service hours/schedule
  • First Departure from City Centre is at 8 a.m.
  • Last Departure from City Centre is at 7:45 p.m.
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration will be closed
  • Limited pre-booked service
  • Phone lines open until 4:00 p.m.
Friday, December 27, 2024
  • Will operate on regular Monday-Saturday schedules
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration closed
  • Dynamic Shuttle Service available for areas not serviced by Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 after 8 p.m., outbound from Sorensen Station
  • Regular Action Bus services will be open
  • Phone lines open regular hours
Saturday, December 28, 2024
  • Will operate on regular Monday-Saturday schedules
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration closed
  • Dynamic Shuttle Service available for areas not serviced by Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 after 8 p.m., outbound from Sorensen Station
  • Regular Action Bus services will be open
  • Phone lines open regular hours
Sunday, December 29, 2024
  • Will operate on Sunday/Holiday schedule
  • First City Centre departure will be 8 a.m.
  • Last City Centre departure will be 7:45 p.m.
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration will be closed
  • Regular Action Bus services will be open
  • Phone lines open regular service hours
Monday, December 30, 2024
  • Will operate on regular Monday - Saturday schedules
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration will be closed
  • Dynamic Shuttle Service available for areas not serviced by Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 after 8 p.m., outbound from Sorensen Station
  • Regular Action Bus services will be
  • Phone lines open regular service hours.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
  • Will operate on regular Monday - Saturday schedules
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration will be closed
  • Dynamic Shuttle Service available for areas not serviced by Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 after 8 p.m., outbound from Sorensen Station
  • Regular Action Bus services will be
  • Phone lines open regular service hours.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
  • No Service on January 1, 2025
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration will be closed
  • Action Bus closed
  • Phone lines closed
Thursday, January 2, 2025
  • Will operate on regular Monday - Saturday schedules
  • Transit Customer Service and Administration will be open
  • Dynamic Shuttle Service available for areas not serviced by Routes 1, 2, 3 and 4 after 8 p.m., outbound from Sorensen Station
  • Regular Action Bus services will be open
  • Phone lines open regular hours
Recreation facilities

Visit reddeer.ca/dropin to view drop-in schedules.

Collicutt Centre

  • December 1-23, 2024 - OPEN regular hours
  • December 24, 2024 - OPEN 5:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • December 25, 2024 - CLOSED
  • December 26, 2024 - OPEN - 12 - 5 p.m.
  • December 27-30, 2024 - OPEN regular hours
  • December 31, 2024 - OPEN 5:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • January 1, 2025 - OPEN 12 - 5 p.m.

G.H. Dawe Community Centre

  • December 1-23, 2024 - OPEN regular hours
  • December 24, 2024 - OPEN 5:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • December 25, 2024 - CLOSED
  • December 26, 2024 - OPEN - 12 - 5 p.m.
  • December 27-30, 2024 - OPEN regular hours
  • December 31, 2024 - OPEN 5:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • January 1, 2025 - OPEN 12 - 5 p.m.

Michener Aquatic Centre

  • December 1-23, 2024 - OPEN regular hours
  • December 24-26, 2024 - CLOSED
  • December 27-30, 2024 - OPEN regular hours
  • December 31, 2024 - January 1, 2025 - CLOSED

Recreation Centre

  • December 1, 2024 - OPEN regular hours
  • December 2-22, 2024 - Customer Service Hours M - F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Amenities Closed for Annual Maintenance 
  • December 23, 2024 - OPEN regular hours
  • December 24, 2024 - OPEN 5:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • December 25-26, 2024 - CLOSED
  • December 27-30, 2024 - OPEN regular hours
  • December 31, 2024 - OPEN 5:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • January 1, 2025 - CLOSED 
RCMP Customer Service

The Downtown RCMP Detachment Front Counter and admin line's holiday hours are as follows:

  • December 25-26, 2024 - CLOSED
  • December 27, 2024 - OPEN 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • December 28-29, 2024 - CLOSED
  • December 30-31, 2024 - OPEN 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • January 1, 2025 - CLOSED

Reporting of incidents can still be done through 9-1-1, The Police Non-Emergency Line (403-406-2200) and The City of Red Deer Bylaw Complaint line (403-406-8766). The North Detachment remains closed to the public at all times.

Waste Management Facility (Landfill)

The waste management facility is open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The facility is closed on Christmas Day (December 25, 2024) and New Years Day (January 1, 2025).

We know there is a lot of information to take in over the holiday season, so we put together this page to be your one-stop shop for all the holiday things!

Stay Safe

Real trees are beautiful, fragrant and they save on year-round storage in your home. If you’re purchasing a real tree this year, be fire smart! Almost a third of Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems. There are steps you can take to prevent tree fires.

  • Pick a tree whose needles don't fall off when touched.
  • Cut two inches off the trunk base.
  • Keep the tree at least three feet away from heat sources (e.g., fireplace, heat vent).
  • Water your tree daily.
  • Replace broken cords or loose bulb connections.
  • NEVER use lit candles to decorate the tree.
  • Always turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
  • When removing your tree from your home, do not store the tree against your home or garage, as this poses a fire risk.

Christmas Tree Recycling

Do you love the smell of a real Christmas tree and/or decorations? You can give your tree a great new purpose in City parks spaces! You can drop your undecorated tree off at one of the locations below and our Parks and Public Works teams will collect it and then mulch it up for use in our parks and trail spaces.

  • Clearview Ridge: Carrington Drive, northwest corner of park
  • Davenport: Southeast corner of Davenport Neighbourhood Park off Dempsey Street
  • Eastview: Southeast corner of Eastview Neighbourhood Park (south of Community Hall) along Ellenwood Drive
  • Vanier: East side of Viscount Drive south of walking trail crossing (near powerline)
  • Ironstone: Southeast corner Ironstone Neighbourhood Park on Inglewood Drive south of Ironstone Drive
  • Bower: Barrett Drive between Boyce Street and Bannerman Close (near powerline)
  • Recreation Centre South Parking Lot: Northeast corner
  • West Park: Southeast corner of 60 Avenue and Cronquist Drive
  • Oriole Park: Overdown Drive north of Ohio Close
  • Normandeau: Niven Street north side near Nance Avenue and Gaetz Avenue
  • Kentwood: Kendrew Drive across from Kent Street, southwest of park site

View maps of Christmas tree drop-off sites (pdf)