Christmas bin collection dates and holiday opening hours announced for Mid and East Antrim

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced a series of festive service changes to ensure bin collections, recycling centres and key public facilities continue running smoothly over the Christmas and New Year period.

A Council spokesperson said the temporary adjustments have been introduced “as we come together to celebrate the season,” adding:

“These temporary adjustments to bin collections, recycling centres and public facilities will help ensure our services continue to support residents smoothly throughout the holidays. We appreciate everyone taking a moment to plan ahead.”

Below is a full breakdown of the Christmas and New Year arrangements.

Holiday Bin Collection Changes

Thursday 25 December 2025

• Ballymena – collections moved to Saturday 27 December

• Carrickfergus – collections moved to Saturday 20 December

• Larne – collections moved to Monday 22 December

Friday 26 December 2025

• Carrickfergus – collections moved to Saturday 27 December

• Larne – collections moved to Monday 29 December

Thursday 1 January 2026

• Ballymena – collections moved to Saturday 3 January

• Carrickfergus – collections moved to Saturday 3 January

• Larne – collections moved to Monday 5 January

Bryson Kerbside Box Collections

(Ballymena & Carrickfergus)

• Thursday 25 December 2025 – moved to Saturday 27 December

• Friday 26 December 2025 – moved to Sunday 28 December

• Thursday 1 January 2026 – moved to Saturday 3 January

Household Recycling Centres (HRCs)

• Wednesday 24 December 2025 – closing early at 2pm

• Thursday 25 December 2025 – closed

• Friday 26 December 2025 – closed

• Thursday 1 January 2026 – closed

Registrar’s Offices

Registrar’s Offices across the borough will be closed on 24, 25 and 26 December 2025.

They will reopen 29–31 December, before closing again on Thursday 1 January 2026.

For urgent death registrations required for burial or cremation, an emergency phone line for funeral directors will operate 9am–10am on Friday 26 December.

The Braid

The Braid will be closed on 24, 25 and 26 December, and again on Thursday 1 January 2026.

Leisure Centres

Amphitheatre Carrickfergus, Seven Towers Ballymena, Larne Leisure Centre

• Mon 22 Dec – early closure at 5pm

• Tue 23 Dec – early closure at 5pm

• Wed 24 Dec – closed

• Thu 25 Dec – closed

• Fri 26 Dec – closed

• Sat 27 Dec – normal hours

• Sun 28 Dec – normal hours

• Mon 29 Dec – early closure at 3pm

• Tue 30 Dec – early closure at 3pm

• Wed 31 Dec – early closure at 3pm

• Thu 1 Jan – closed

Public Toilets

Ballymena

• Closed on 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January at Portglenone Marina, Cullybackey, Henry Street, Broughshane and Slemish.

• Saturday 27 December: open 9am–5pm, except Henry Street and Slemish (remain closed).

• Saturday 3 January: open 9am–5pm, except Henry Street and Slemish.

Carrickfergus

• All toilets closed 25–26 December and 1 January.

Larne

• All toilets closed 25 December only.

Council Message to Residents

The Council extended its appreciation to residents for their support throughout 2025, adding:

“Thank you to all our residents for your continued support throughout the year. Wishing everyone across Mid and East Antrim a joyful Christmas and a bright year ahead.”

Residents are also encouraged to recycle where possible over the festive season and to “make use of the services available.”

Further details can be found on the Council website at midandeastantrim.gov.uk/Christmas.