Last updated: June 2026 | Reviewed by Fran A., Editor-in-Chief
Christmas Eve catches a lot of people off guard. Most Americans know that Christmas Day affects trash pickup — but what about December 24th? Is garbage collection running the day before Christmas? Does it matter what day of the week Christmas Eve falls on?
In 2026, Christmas Eve falls on a Wednesday. Christmas Day falls on a Friday. That two-day gap matters more than most people realize — and this guide breaks down exactly what it means for your collection schedule.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Garbage collection schedules are set locally by your city or private waste hauler — not at the federal level. The information below reflects general publicly stated policies as of mid-2026.
Always verify your specific pickup day at your city’s official sanitation website or by calling 311 before the holiday week.
Christmas Eve 2026 – What Day Does It Fall On?
Christmas Eve 2026 falls on Wednesday, December 24. Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 25.
This is an important combination. Here’s why:
- Christmas Eve (Wednesday) is not a federal holiday. Most cities do not suspend collection on Christmas Eve itself.
- Christmas Day (Friday) is a federal holiday. Nearly every city suspends or delays collection on Christmas Day.
- Because Christmas Day is a Friday, only Friday routes are directly affected in most cities. Monday through Thursday — including Christmas Eve Wednesday — run on their normal schedule.
Bottom line for most Americans in 2026: Christmas Eve trash pickup runs normally. Christmas Day Friday routes are delayed to Saturday. The rest of the week is unaffected.
Is Trash Pickup Running on Christmas Eve 2026?
For the vast majority of U.S. cities: yes, collection runs normally on Christmas Eve 2026.
Christmas Eve is not a federal holiday. Sanitation crews are on the job. Unless your city explicitly lists December 24th as an observed holiday — which is rare — your Wednesday pickup happens as scheduled.
The confusion usually comes from one of these situations:
Situation 1 – Your city observes Christmas Eve as an additional holiday A small number of cities give crews Christmas Eve off as well. In those cases, Wednesday routes shift to Thursday, Thursday routes to Friday, and Friday routes to Saturday. This is uncommon but worth checking if your city has historically done this.
Situation 2 – Christmas Day (Friday) delay bleeds back In cities where Christmas Day causes a full-week delay, the delay typically only applies to routes that fall on or after Christmas Day within that week. Since Christmas Day is Friday, only Friday routes shift. Wednesday routes are not affected.
Situation 3 – Your pickup is Friday, not Wednesday If your regular pickup is Friday and Christmas falls on a Friday, your bin goes out on Saturday instead. Wednesday households are unaffected.
How the Christmas Week Trash Schedule Works in 2026
Let’s walk through the full week of December 21–27, 2026 for cities using the most common full-week one-day delay system:
| Day | Regular Route | Christmas Week 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Dec 21 | Monday pickup | ✅ Runs normally |
| Tuesday, Dec 22 | Tuesday pickup | ✅ Runs normally |
| Wednesday, Dec 23 | Wednesday pickup | ✅ Runs normally |
| Wednesday, Dec 24 | Christmas Eve | ✅ Not a holiday — runs normally |
| Thursday, Dec 25 | Thursday pickup | ❌ Christmas Day — suspended |
| Friday, Dec 26 | Friday pickup | ⚠️ Delayed to Saturday Dec 27 |
| Saturday, Dec 27 | Make-up day | 📦 Delayed Friday routes collected |
Key takeaway: In 2026, the only disrupted route during Christmas week is Friday. Everything else — including Christmas Eve Wednesday — runs on its normal schedule.
Christmas Eve Trash Pickup 2026 – City by City
The entries below reflect publicly stated general policies as of mid-2026. Verify at your city’s official sanitation website before the holiday.
New York City, NY
Provider: NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
DSNY does not observe Christmas Eve as a holiday. Wednesday, December 24 collection runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday, December 25) is a full suspension day — Friday routes are delayed to Saturday, December 26.
Where to verify: nyc.gov/sanitation or NYC 311 app
Los Angeles, CA
Provider: LA Sanitation (LASAN)
LASAN does not suspend collection on Christmas Eve. Wednesday, December 24 pickup runs on its normal schedule. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes shift to Saturday.
Where to verify: lacitysan.org or MyLA311 app
Chicago, IL
Provider: City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation
Chicago does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 routes run normally. Christmas Day (Friday) triggers the one-day delay — Friday routes move to Saturday.
Where to verify: chicago.gov/streets or CHI311 app
Houston, TX
Provider: City of Houston Solid Waste Management
Houston does not observe Christmas Eve as a holiday. Wednesday collection runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes shift to Saturday. Check your district if served by a private contractor.
Where to verify: houstonsolidwaste.org
Phoenix, AZ
Provider: City of Phoenix Public Works
Phoenix does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 pickup runs on schedule. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes delayed to Saturday.
Where to verify: phoenix.gov/publicworks
Philadelphia, PA
Provider: Philadelphia Streets Department
Philadelphia does not observe Christmas Eve. Wednesday, December 24 routes run normally. Christmas Day (Friday) is a full suspension — Friday pickup moves to Saturday.
Where to verify: phila.gov/streets
San Antonio, TX
Provider: City of San Antonio Solid Waste Management
San Antonio does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 collection runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) — Friday routes rescheduled. Verify your specific route.
Where to verify: sanantonio.gov/swmd
San Diego, CA
Provider: City of San Diego Environmental Services
San Diego does not observe Christmas Eve as a holiday. Wednesday collection runs on its normal schedule. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes shift to Saturday.
Where to verify: sandiego.gov/environmental-services
Dallas, TX
Provider: City of Dallas Sanitation Services
Dallas does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 pickup runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes delayed to Saturday.
Where to verify: dallascityhall.com/sanitation
Jacksonville, FL
Provider: City of Jacksonville Solid Waste Division
Jacksonville does not observe Christmas Eve. Wednesday, December 24 collection runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) delays Friday routes to Saturday.
Where to verify: coj.net/solid-waste
Austin, TX
Provider: Austin Resource Recovery
Austin does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 pickup is unaffected. Christmas Day (Friday) — routes scheduled for Friday are rescheduled to the following Saturday.
Where to verify: austintexas.gov/arr
Fort Worth, TX
Provider: City of Fort Worth Environmental Services
Fort Worth does not observe Christmas Eve. Wednesday routes run normally. Christmas Day (Friday) delays Friday pickup to Saturday.
Where to verify: fortworthtexas.gov/environmental
Columbus, OH
Provider: City of Columbus Refuse Collection
Columbus does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 collection runs on schedule. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes delayed by one day.
Where to verify: columbus.gov/refuse
Charlotte, NC
Provider: City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services
Charlotte does not observe Christmas Eve. Wednesday pickup runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) — Friday routes delayed to Saturday.
Where to verify: charlottenc.gov/solidwaste
Indianapolis, IN
Provider: Indianapolis Department of Public Works
Indianapolis does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 collection runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes shift to Saturday.
Where to verify: indy.gov/dpw
San Francisco, CA
Provider: Recology (contracted)
Recology does not observe Christmas Eve. Wednesday, December 24 runs on its normal schedule. Christmas Day (Friday) is one of the two days Recology observes — Friday pickup is rescheduled to the following Saturday.
Where to verify: recology.com/san-francisco
Seattle, WA
Provider: Seattle Public Utilities / contracted haulers by zone
Seattle does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 routes run normally. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday pickup delayed to Saturday. Verify your specific hauler.
Where to verify: seattle.gov/utilities
Denver, CO
Provider: Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI)
Denver does not observe Christmas Eve. Wednesday collection runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes delayed to Saturday.
Where to verify: denvergov.org/trash
Nashville, TN
Provider: Nashville Metro Public Works
Nashville does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 pickup runs on schedule. Christmas Day (Friday) — Friday routes delayed one day.
Where to verify: nashville.gov/public-works
Washington, DC
Provider: DC Department of Public Works (DPW)
DPW does not observe Christmas Eve. Wednesday, December 24 collection runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) is a full suspension — Friday routes delayed to Saturday, December 26.
Where to verify: dpw.dc.gov
Las Vegas, NV
Provider: Republic Services (contracted)
Republic Services does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 collection runs on its normal schedule. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes rescheduled.
Where to verify: republicservices.com
Portland, OR
Provider: City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
Portland does not observe Christmas Eve. Wednesday routes run normally. Christmas Day (Friday) — Friday pickup delayed to Saturday.
Where to verify: portland.gov/bes
Memphis, TN
Provider: City of Memphis Division of Public Works
Memphis does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 pickup runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) delays Friday routes by one day.
Where to verify: memphistn.gov/public-works
Louisville, KY
Provider: Louisville Metro Government Waste Management
Louisville does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 collection runs on schedule. Christmas Day (Friday) — Friday routes delayed to Saturday.
Where to verify: louisvilleky.gov/government/waste-management
Baltimore, MD
Provider: Baltimore City Department of Public Works
Baltimore does not observe Christmas Eve. Wednesday, December 24 pickup runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) is observed — Friday routes shift to Saturday.
Where to verify: publicworks.baltimorecity.gov
Milwaukee, WI
Provider: City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works
Milwaukee does not observe Christmas Eve. December 24 collection runs normally. Christmas Day (Friday) delays Friday routes by one day.
Where to verify: city.milwaukee.gov/dpw
Christmas Eve and Christmas Week 2026 – Quick Reference Chart
✅ = Runs normally | ⚠️ = Delayed | ❌ = Suspended
| City | Dec 24 (Wed) Christmas Eve | Dec 25 (Fri) Christmas Day | Make-up Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Los Angeles, CA | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Chicago, IL | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Houston, TX | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Phoenix, AZ | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Philadelphia, PA | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| San Antonio, TX | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| San Diego, CA | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Dallas, TX | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Jacksonville, FL | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Austin, TX | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Fort Worth, TX | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Columbus, OH | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Charlotte, NC | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Indianapolis, IN | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| San Francisco, CA | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Seattle, WA | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Denver, CO | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Nashville, TN | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Washington, DC | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Las Vegas, NV | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Portland, OR | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Memphis, TN | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Louisville, KY | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Baltimore, MD | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
| Milwaukee, WI | ✅ Normal | ⚠️ Delayed | Saturday Dec 27 |
Does the Christmas Week Schedule Affect Recycling and Yard Waste?
In most cities, yes — recycling and yard waste follow the same holiday delay schedule as regular trash collection.
If your recycling pickup is on Friday and Christmas Day falls on Friday, expect your recycling to run on Saturday instead. Monday through Thursday recycling routes are not affected in 2026.
Green bins and composting: Cities with separate organics programs — including San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland — may run composting on an independent schedule. Always verify your green bin pickup separately around Christmas week.
Bulk item pickup: If you have bulk or large item collection scheduled during Christmas week, confirm with your sanitation department. Many cities pause bulk pickup during major holiday weeks and resume the following week.
👉 Related: Is Trash Pickup Delayed on Christmas Day 2026? – City-by-City Guide
Planning Ahead for Christmas Week Trash in 2026
The holidays generate more trash than any other time of year — gift wrapping, boxes, packaging, food waste. Here are a few things worth knowing before Christmas week arrives:
Cardboard boxes: Break them down flat before putting them in your recycling bin. During Christmas week, recycling trucks are often at capacity. Flat boxes take up significantly less space and are far more likely to be collected.
Gift wrap and tissue paper: Most curbside recycling programs do not accept wrapping paper, especially metallic or foil varieties. Check your city’s recycling guidelines — most wrapping paper goes in the regular trash bin.
Food waste from holiday gatherings: If your city has a composting or organics program, this is a great week to use it. Food scraps, vegetable peels, and coffee grounds can go in the green bin in most programs.
Tree disposal after Christmas: Live Christmas tree pickup is a separate service in most cities, typically running from late December through mid-January. Check your city’s specific tree recycling program dates — this is not part of your regular weekly collection.
Frequently Asked Questions – Christmas Eve Trash Pickup 2026
Is garbage collected on Christmas Eve 2026?
Yes, in the vast majority of U.S. cities. Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24, 2026) is not a federal holiday, so sanitation services run normally. Only Christmas Day (Friday, December 25) triggers a schedule change.
Does Christmas Eve trash pickup run if Christmas is the next day?
The day before Christmas does not automatically affect collection. What matters is whether your city observes Christmas Eve as an additional holiday, which is rare. For most Americans in 2026, Wednesday December 24 is a normal collection day.
My pickup is on Wednesday — do I put my bin out on Christmas Eve?
Yes. In 2026, Wednesday is Christmas Eve, and for most cities that is a normal collection day. Put your bin out as usual on the night of Tuesday December 23 or early morning December 24.
My pickup is on Friday — what happens Christmas week 2026?
Christmas Day falls on Friday December 25. In most cities that observe Christmas, your Friday pickup is delayed by one day and moves to Saturday, December 26. Wednesday and Thursday routes are not affected.
Does recycling run on Christmas Eve 2026?
In most cities, yes — recycling follows the same schedule as trash. If your recycling pickup is Wednesday, it runs normally on December 24. If your recycling pickup is Friday, it shifts to Saturday December 26 due to Christmas Day.
Is there extra trash pickup during Christmas week?
Most cities do not add extra pickups during Christmas week. Some cities do run Saturday make-up routes for delayed Friday collection. For overflow trash from holiday celebrations, keep everything in a closed bin — loose bags are often left behind.
When does Christmas tree pickup start in 2026?
Christmas tree collection is a separate service from regular trash pickup. Most cities begin accepting live trees the week after Christmas, running through mid-January. Check your city’s sanitation page for the specific start and end dates for tree recycling in your area.
Related Christmas and Holiday Trash Pickup Guides
- Is Trash Pickup Delayed on Christmas Day 2026? – City-by-City Guide
- Holiday Week Trash Schedule 2026 – All Changes in One Place
- 2026 Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule – All U.S. Cities
- Thanksgiving Garbage Collection 2026 – What Happens to Your Trash?
- When Trash Is Delayed by a Holiday: How to Find Your New Day
This page is reviewed and updated annually as cities confirm their official holiday schedules. Last review: June 2026. If you notice an error for your city, contact us and we’ll update it within 48 hours.
Written and maintained by Fran A., Founder & Editor-in-Chief — trashpickupscheduleday.com
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