City Hall and public works offices in Fort Walton Beach to close around Christmas and New Year’s Day
Fort Walton Beach, Florida – City of Fort Walton Beach officials have announced a series of temporary closures and adjusted operating hours for municipal offices and public facilities during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The changes are intended to give city employees time to be with their families while maintaining essential public safety services.
During the Christmas holiday period, several core government offices will pause operations. The City Hall complex, which includes Customer Service, Growth Management, Human Resources, and the offices of the City Clerk and City Manager, will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 26. These offices are scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 29. The Public Works and Utility Services Field Office complex will follow the same schedule. City officials note that residents experiencing after-hours water or sewer emergencies during this time should contact the Police Department Communications Office directly.
Recreation and cultural facilities will also see modified hours around Christmas. The Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center will close from Dec. 24 through Dec. 27 and reopen Monday, Dec. 29. The city library will be closed Dec. 24 through Dec. 26, reopening Saturday, Dec. 27. Heritage Park and the Cultural Center at the Indian Temple Mound will follow a similar schedule, reopening to the public on Dec. 27. Beal Memorial Cemetery will be closed during the Christmas holiday and will reopen the following Monday.
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The Fort Walton Beach Golf Club will operate on a limited basis on Christmas Eve, offering non-tournament shotgun start play beginning at 9 a.m. with advance registration required. Courses will be closed on Christmas Day and reopen on Dec. 26.
A separate schedule will be in place for New Year’s Day. City Hall offices and the Public Works and Utility Services Field Office will close on Thursday, Jan. 1 and Friday, Jan. 2, reopening Monday, Jan. 5. The Recreation Center will remain closed through Saturday, Jan. 3, while the library and Heritage Park will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 3. Beal Memorial Cemetery and the Police Department Records Division will also reopen on Jan. 5.
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City officials emphasized that police and fire services will continue operating without interruption throughout both holidays, and residents should dial 911 in the event of an emergency. Adjustments to trash, yard waste, and recycling pickup will be handled separately under the city’s holiday collection schedule.
The full schedule per department is available here. Garbage pickup and recycling info is available here.
