Make your to-do list, check it twice, and plan ahead for these local closures on Christmas Eve (Sunday, Dec. 24), Christmas Day (Monday, Dec. 25), New Year’s Eve (Sunday, Dec. 31), and New Year’s Day (Monday, Jan. 1, 2024).
City + county services
City of Lakeland offices — including Lakeland Electric — will be closed on Friday, Dec. 22, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
City trash pickups will shift one day later for Monday + Tuesday customers. Polk County will shift all pickups one day later for the week of both Christmas and New Year’s Day.
All Polk County Tax Collector offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 25-Tuesday, Dec. 26 and on New Year’s Day.
On Jan. 4, 2024, Polk County Public Schools students will start the spring semester. Teachers and staff will return earlier in the week.
Shopping
Publix stores will close at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve and stay closed on Christmas Day.
Walmart will be open on Sunday, Dec. 24, 6 a.m.-6 p.m., but it will close on Christmas Day.
Target has extended its shopping hours until 12 a.m. up until Christmas Eve, when it will close its doors at 8 p.m. All stores will be closed on Christmas Day.
Aldi will close early at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. It will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Recreation
Bonnet Springs Park will open for its normal hours on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. On Christmas Day, the park and restrooms will open at 6 a.m., and special event vendors will open at 6:30 p.m. for Light Up BSP.
City libraries, recreation centers, and parks will follow different closure schedules. Check here to see when one near you is open.