Access to council services across the festive fortnight for 2025/26
The opening arrangements for Aberdeenshire Council over the festive fortnight of 2025/26 have been confirmed, with essential services continuing throughout.
Key service-specific information is as follows:
Customer Services
Aberdeenshire Council’s telephone lines and face-to-face offices will be closed during the public holidays on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December as well as on Thursday and Friday 2 January. Phone lines and face-to-face offices will also close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 December and Wednesday 31 December.
Normal opening hours for our Customer Services Team are from 8.45am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Phone numbers and office details for our services can be found at the following link: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/contact-us/contact-by-phone/
You can always check opening times of council offices before making a trip www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/contact-us/reach-a-council-office/
Emergency Contact Information
In the event of an emergency, please call the numbers below.
Our out-of-hours emergency service is available 5pm to 8.45am weekdays and all weekend:
Housing repairs and dangerous buildings - 03456 081203
Homelessness - 03456 081206
Social work - 03456 081206
If the emergency or crisis is life threatening, call 999. If you are worried about someone who is ill, call NHS 24 on 111.
For more emergency contact details visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/contact-us/emergency-contacts/
Recycling and waste
Festive bin collections are as follows:
- Bins scheduled for collection on Thursday 25 December will be collected on Sunday 28 December, marking the first Christmas season of special Sunday collections by our staff
- Friday 26 December bins will be collected on Monday 29 December
- Thursday 1 January bins will be collected Sunday 4 January
- Friday 2 January bins will be collected on Monday 5 January
On your bin collection day for the festive period only (Monday 22 December to Monday 5 January):
- If your bin is not emptied by 4.45pm, please take it back in
- If a black lid bin is presented and missed, we will collect up to two extra black bags of excess waste on its next scheduled collection day
- If a recycling bin is presented, missed, and not tagged, we will collect extra recycling of the same type on its next scheduled collection day
Details of missed collections will appear on our website www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/binsdisruptions
We ask that all visitors to our household recycling centres check the website prior to travelling in case of a change in opening times, a need to book, a closure, to see what can be recycled, and the type of vehicles that are welcomed. When visiting, please arrive early enough to unload the vehicle before the lunchtime or end-of-day close.
Booking is required for all vehicles visiting Inverurie and Westhill household recycling centres. Only commercial-type vehicles and vehicles with a trailer must book at all other recycling centres.
If you do need to book, please arrive on time as entry may be refused to anyone arriving outside of their given time slot.
Booking slots for bulky uplifts are closed from Monday 22 December to Friday 9 January.
Get the latest updates on waste collections along with an array of other council information by downloading the MyAberdeenshire app: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/my/mobile-app/
Live Life Aberdeenshire
Please note that planned opening hours may be subject to change at short notice due to adverse weather.
Sports and Leisure Facilities
All sports centres will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2025, as well as 1 and 2 January 2026. Normal opening hours will resume from Sunday, 4 January 2026.
Ski Centres
Both ski centres will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2025, and 1 and 2 January 2026. Normal opening hours will resume from Sunday, 4 January 2026.
Libraries
Libraries across Aberdeenshire will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2025, and 1 and 2 January 2026.
During this period, customers can contact sites directly or use our online contact form:
https://www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk/contact/
For full festive opening details, please visit:
https://www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk/sport-and-physical-activity/festive-opening-hours/
Customers should contact sites on their direct number or send an email enquiry to llacustomerservice@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Live Life Aberdeenshire also offers access to warm and welcoming spaces where you can have a free shower, use Wi-Fi, and charge your device.
More details about cost of-living support and other warm spaces are available on Aberdeenshire Council’s website: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/cost-of-living/