Your Fun And Festive Guide To The Holidays In Arlington

From the Arlington County Government:

December 20, 2019

The holidays can be a chance to celebrate with family, spend time with friends, and reflect on the coming new year.

With Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling in the middle of the week, it can be tricky to remember what’s open and what’s closed, and which County services are continuing as scheduled.

Keep in mind that Arlington County Government offices, courts, libraries and facilities will be closed for Christmas (Tues. Dec. 24, and Weds., Dec. 25, 2019) and New Year’s Day (Weds., Jan. 1, 2020).

During those days, parking meters are not enforced, so enjoy some free parking for your sleigh during last-minute shopping.

There will not be any trash and recycling pickup on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1, but things will operate as scheduled on Dec. 24, meaning routes with shift by a day (so Wednesday routes will run Thursday; Thursday’s routes on Friday; Friday’s on Saturday).

More: See details on our Holiday Schedule

Rockin’ Recyclin’ Around the Christmas Tree

What goes up must come down: Starting Dec. 30, the County will take your tree and turn it into mulch.

Christmas trees are collected curbside for residential homes with trash and recycling service on regular Monday-Friday weekly trash days. (Reminder: get the tree on the curb no later than 6 a.m., and remove all decorations.) After Jan. 10, Christmas trees are handled at curbside as part of regular year-round yard waste collection. Trees over 8-feet long will need to be dismantled.

And remember, wrapping paper can be recycled if it can be crushed or balled up, but no glitter or metallic paper. (Tissue paper cannot be recycled, and nor can bows.)

Holiday Recycling Guide: Don’t Let the Holidays Go to Waste

Make a List, and Check it Twice

Ensure your holidays are as safe as they are festive by keeping in mind some of these tips and precautions this season:

• Keep Your Pipes FOG Free —Fats, oils and grease — known collectively as FOG — represent the most serious enemy of our sewer lines. Can it, cool it, and throw it away;
• Winter Fire Safety — Keeping you and your family safe from fires starts by ensuring you have working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan. The Arlington County Fire Department has additional tips to keep your safe this winter, on everything from space heaters to candles;
• Holiday Food Safety Tips — As the end of the year approaches, it’s likely there are multiple meals and parties in your future. Carrying food from one location to another and sharing dishes with a crowd means more opportunity for bacteria to grow and cause food poisoning. Whether you’re an experienced cook or simply adding a dish to the potluck lineup, follow these steps to keep your holiday season food poisoning-free.

MORE: Drive Merry, Bright, and Sober This Holiday Season

Marshmallows for Toasting and Caroling Out in the Snow

Throughout the holiday season, many County departments offer special classes and workshops, perfect for kids of all ages:

• Dec. 21 — Shop Class: Gift Wrapping Party: “Wrap Up” your shopping with a gift wrapping station at Central Library
• Dec. 21 — Gifts for Wildlife: This time of year is the giving season! With food being scarce, local birds and wildlife could use some kindness, too — join us in making edible garlands and ornaments to hang on trees outside
• Dec. 21 — Solstice Eve Hike & Campfire: Celebrate the longest night of the year with candle making, roasting marshmallows for s’mores, and a night hike under the stars
• Dec. 22 — Getting Ready For Winter Walk: As the days get shorter and colder the animals living in Glencarlyn Park are getting ready for winter. Take a walk through various habitats to learn about what different species do to survive the winter
• Dec. 31 — Ring in the Noon Year: Join the Columbia Pike Branch Library for games, crafts, light snacks and a countdown to the Noon hour

We hope your holiday season is fun, festive and safe — and truly the most wonderful time of the year, no matter how you choose to celebrate.

This press release was produced by the Arlington County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.