There are a number of changes to the Isle of Wight Council’s many services that you need to be aware of this festive period.
Most of the Council’s services will remain open until 16:30 on Christmas Eve, re-opening following the weekend on Monday 29th through to Wednesday 31st December.
After closing for New Year’s Day, the majority of services will reopen as normal on Friday 2nd January 2026.
Adult social care and Housing
Offices close at 16:30 on Wednesday 24th December and reopen at 08:30 to 16:30 on Monday 29th December. They close again at 16:30 on Wednesday 31st December and reopen at 08:30 on Friday 2nd January 2026.
For both adult social care and housing, emergency and crisis support can be accessed out of hours via Wightcare (01983) 821105.
Adult Social Care webpages: www.iow.gov.uk/adultsocialcare
Housing Needs webpages www.iow.gov.uk/housing
If you are worried about a vulnerable adult and it is an emergency CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALLING 999
Bereavement Services
The Bereavement Service will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, 27th December, 28th December and New Year’s Day.
Crematorium Grounds and Book of Remembrance:
The Book of Remembrance will be closed on 24th December (from 15:30), 25th, 26th December and 1st January.
Up to 23rd December – open 08:00 to 16:30
24th December – open 08:00 to 16:30
25th to 26th December – closed
27th December – open 10:00 to 12:00
28th December – CLOSED
29th to 31st December – open 08:00 to 16:30
1st January – closed
2nd January – normal opening hours
Office hours are as above for weekdays, except for bank holidays, when the office is closed.
All cremation documentation, burial forms and music should be delivered at least three clear office working days prior to each service, especially over this period.
Building Control
Building Control will continue to operate a Dangerous Structure out of hours service over the festive period.
If there is immediate danger and a threat to life, call 999. For all other situations, please call 01983 821105.
Surveyors will still be available for site inspections and enquiries during normal working hours (08:30 to 16:30) on 29th, 30th and 31st December and 2nd January, although there may be a limited service, and full normal service will resume from Monday 5th January.
Children’s Services
Offices close at 16:00, Wednesday 24th December and reopen Monday 29th December at 09:00.
If you are worried a child is, or at risk of, suffering, neglect or abuse please contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Team:
Tel 01983 823435 (available 24 hours a day).
If you are concerned, it is important that you talk to someone about this.
You do not need to know everything about the child and what is happening before you contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Team.
IN AN EMERGENCY CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALLING 999.
Contact Centre and help centres
The Contact Centre will close at 17:00 on Wednesday 24th December and reopen 09:00 until 17:00 from Monday 29th to Wednesday 31st December. Closed on Thursday 1st January and re-open at 09:00 on Friday 2nd January 2026.
Newport Help Centre will close at 17:00 on Wednesday 24th December. It will then reopen at 08:30 until 17:00 from Monday 29th to Wednesday 31st December. Closed on Thursday 1st January and re-open at 08:30 on Friday 2nd January 2026.
The Help Centre at Ryde Library will close at 17:00 on Tuesday 23rd December and will reopen at 09:00 on Friday 2nd January 2026.
Coroner’s office
The Coroner’s Office will close at 16:00 on Wednesday 24th December. It will be open from Monday 29th to Wednesday 31st December between 08:30 and 16:30. The office will be closed on Thursday 1st January and will be open as normal from Friday 2nd January.
Council buildings or land
For emergencies involving council-owned buildings, please contact Wightcare on (01983) 821105.
Floating bridge
Cowes floating bridge Christmas and New Year operating schedule:
Christmas Eve 05:00 to 00:30
Christmas Day 07:00 to 00:30
Boxing Day 07:00 to 00:30
27th December 05:00 to 00:30
28th December 06:30 to 00:30
29th December 05:00 to 00:30
30th December 05:00 to 00:30
New Year’s Eve 05:00 to 01:30**
New Year’s Day 07:00 to 00:30
2nd January 05:00 to 00:30
3rd January 05:00 to 00:30
**Last crossing from East Cowes 01:10, Last crossing from West Cowes 01:20
Highway’s emergencies
Flooding, fallen trees, highway obstruction, traffic lights not working etc – please contact Island Roads on 01983 822440.
Non-emergency highway issues can also be reported online at fms.islandroads.com
General information is available via the website www.islandroads.com
Leisure Services facilities
The Heights:
Up to 23rd December – Normal Hours
24th December – 06:00 to 14:00
25th & 26th December – closed
27th & 28th December – 08:00 to 17:00
29th December – 06:00 to 18:30
30th December – 06:00 to 18:30
31st December – 06:00 to 14:00
1st January – closed
2nd January – Normal hours
Medina:
Up to 23rd December – Normal Hours
24th December – 06:00 to 14:00
25th & 26th December – closed
27th & 28th December – 08:00 to 17:00
29th December – 06:00 to 18:30
30th December – 06:00 to 18:30
31st December – 06:00 to 14:00
1st January – closed
2nd January – Normal hours
Medina Theatre:
23rd December – 12:30 to 17:00
24th December – 11:30 to 16:00
25th & 26th December – closed
27th to 30th December – 12:30 to 22:00
30th December to 1st January – closed
Westridge:
Up to 23rd December – Normal Hours
24th December – 06:00 to 14:00
25th & 26th December – closed
27th December – 08:00 to 14:00
28th December – Closed
29th December – 06:00 to 18:30
30th December – 06:00 to 18:30
31st December – 06:00 to 14:00
1st January – closed
2nd January – Normal hours
Theatre Pantomime times (www.medinatheatre.co.uk)
20th December – 14:00
21st December – 14:00
22nd December – 14:00
24th December – 13:00
27th December – 14:00 & 19:00 (Grown-ups panto)
28th December – 14:00 & 19:00 (Grown-ups panto)
29th December – 14:00 & 19:00 (Grown-ups panto)
30th December – 14:00 & 19:00 (Grown-ups panto)
