What's Open, What's Closed on Thanksgiving

Need to make a last-minute run to the grocery store for Thanksgiving dinner? Thinking about escaping your in-laws with a trip to the library or park? Wondering when the kids are going back to school and getting out of your hair?

Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed around Hillsborough County during the Thanksgiving Holiday and everything else you need to know:

SCHOOLS

All Hillsborough County schools will be closed through Friday, Nov. 25.

LIBRARIES

Hillsborough County libraries will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and remain closed Nov. 24-25. The Temple Terrace Public Library will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

GROCERY STORES

Publix will be closed on Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day. Sweetbay will be open until  5 p.m. on Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day.

TRASH PICKUP

There will be no solid waste collection (including garbage, recyclables and yard waste) in the unincorporated Hillsborough County Service Area — which also includes Tampa Palms, Hunter's Green and New Tampa — on Thanksgiving Day. Solid waste customers may set out twice the amount of garbage, recyclables and yard waste on the next scheduled day for pick up of these items.

Solid waste collection will resume as usual on Friday for unincorporated Hillsborough residents.

City of Tampa residents with service normally scheduled for Thursday will have their trash picked up on Friday; residential pickup normally scheduled for Friday will take place Saturday, Nov. 26.

ANIMAL SERVICES

Animal Services will be closed on both Thursday and Friday. A limited number of emergency personnel will remain on call through the main number at 813-744-5660.  The shelter will reopen for the weekend beginning Saturday, Nov. 26 at 9 a.m., as well as Sunday, Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. for adoptions and lost pet search.

FIRE RESCUE

Fire Rescue Administration and the Fire Marshall offices will be closed both days. All emergency services will continue without interruption.

INFOLINE

Hillsborough County’s InfoLine, 813-272-5900, also will be closed both days.

PARKS & REC

All Hillsborough County recreation centers will be closed on Thursday and Friday. 

The following regional parks will be open on Thanksgiving Day: Alderman’s Ford, Edward Medard, and the Flatwoods, Morris Bridge and Trout Creek sections of Wilderness Park.

These regional parks are closed on Thanksgiving Day: E.G. Simmons, Eureka Springs, Lake Park, Lake Rogers, Lettuce Lake, Lithia Springs, Upper Tampa Bay, and the Dead River, Harney Boat Ramp, John B. Sargeant and Veteran’s Memorial sections of Wilderness Park. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail also is closed on Thanksgiving Day.

SUNSHINE LINE

The Sunshine Line transportation service will not be in operation on Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, the service will provide only pre-scheduled trips to kidney dialysis centers. Normal service resumes on Saturday.

WATER/WASTEWATER EMERGENCIES

The Public Utilities Department’s customer call center and water/wastewater customer service centers in Northdale and Brandon will be closed both days.

Emergency calls regarding County water and wastewater service may be made to 813-744-5600. Also, the Public Utilities Department’s Water Quality Hotline is answered 24 hours a day. That number is 813-264-3835.

CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS

Offices of the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector and Supervisor of Elections will be closed on Thursday and Friday, as well as offices of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and court facilities.