Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of December 29, 2025

Updates and Notices

City of Madison offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 31, and Thursday, January 1, for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day: All emergency services will remain open. To learn more about our holiday services, please visit: https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/holiday-schedules

Staying Safe This New Year's Eve

As we prepare to welcome 2026, many of us will be gathering with loved ones to celebrate. Whether you're attending parties, watching fireworks, or enjoying quieter celebrations at home, your safety and the safety of those around you matters. Here are some ways to help ensure everyone in our community can start the new year safely:

• Plan your transportation ahead of time. If your celebration includes alcohol, arrange for a designated driver, use Metro Transit, or plan to use a rideshare service. Metro Transit will be operating on its regular schedule on December 31st.
• Look out for each other. If you're hosting, offer non-alcoholic options and help guests arrange safe transportation home. If you're attending an event, stay with your group and check in with friends throughout the evening.
• Keep emergency numbers accessible. Save important contact numbers in your phone, including non-emergency police (608-255-2345) and the number of someone you trust who can help if needed.
• Bundle up if you're going outside. Wisconsin winters are no joke, and New Year's Eve can be particularly cold. Dress warmly in layers, protect your extremities, and limit time outdoors in extreme temperatures.
• Be mindful of vulnerable community members. Cold weather is especially dangerous for people experiencing homelessness. If you see someone who appears to be in distress due to the cold, call 211 to connect them with warming resources, or call 911 if it's an emergency.

Our community is strongest when we look out for one another. Let's celebrate the promise of a new year while keeping ourselves and our neighbors safe.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

There are no Boards, Commissions, and Committee meetings for the upcoming week.

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Announcements and News Releases

• Trash & Recycling Collection Schedule for New Year's Eve (12/31/25) and New Year's Day (1/1/26): There will be no Streets Division collections performed on both Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and Thursday, January 1, 2026, in observance of the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day holidays. The drop-off sites will also be closed on these two days. [posted December 26, 2025]
• How to Have Your Christmas Tree Collected: The Streets Division provides two rounds of curbside collection for Christmas trees. The Rules for Christmas Tree Collection. If you do not follow the below, your tree will not be collected from the curb. [posted December 26, 2025]
• Statement From the Office of The Independent Police Monitor Regarding an Ongoing Investigation: In the interest of transparency and in response to significant public concern, the Office of the Independent Police Monitor is issuing a statement to confirm that a review is underway regarding a recent police encounter. [posted December 22, 2025]

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.

Events

• Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Saturday, November 15, through Monday, January 5, 2026: Lighted holiday-themed displays set in beautiful Olin Park. Drive through from dusk until 10:00pm to enjoy this magical light show for free, brought to you by The Electric Group.

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.