What's Open, Closed For Thanksgiving 2025 In Columbia

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Thanksgiving holiday season is upon us and all government offices are closed Thursday. Many are closed Friday, too.

Howard County government offices, 50+ centers, courts, the animal shelter, recreation and parks’ community and athletic centers, activity rooms and historic sites, and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be closed on Thursday in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Since there will be no curbside trash, recycling, yard trim or food scrap collection on Thanksgiving Day, the county’s holiday "slide” schedule will be in effect for the remainder of the week.

County park gates will be open on Thanksgiving Day; however, there will be no staff on duty. County government offices, 50+ centers, courts, historic sites and animal shelter will remain closed on Friday; however, county parks and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will reopen Friday.

The B&O Ellicott City Station Museum will be open Friday; all other historic sites will be closed. While recreation and parks community and athletic centers and activity rooms will be closed to the public Friday, they will be open for scheduled special or permit-approved events that day.

The Regional Transportation Agency buses will not operate on Thanksgiving Day; however, RTA will resume its regular weekday schedule on Friday. For more information on RTA services, call 1-800-270-9553 or visit www.transitrta.com.

Parking fees will not be enforced Thanksgiving Day but will be in effect Friday.

The 9-1-1 Center, police and fire departments will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For emergencies, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, call 410-313-2200. To reach the police department’s main line, call 410-313-3200 for the Northern District and 410-313-3700 for the Southern District.

The Howard County Public School System will be closed Wednesday for students and closed Thursday and Friday for students and staff.

The Howard County Library System will be closed Thursday and Friday.

The Mall in Columbia will be closed Thanksgiving Day and reopen for Black Friday at 8 a.m. Families can schedule Santa photos at the mall, as well as pet photos with Santa.