Asheville city government offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The closure affects a range of municipal services provided by the City of Asheville, which functions as a municipal government offering essential services such as water utilities, public safety, and community planning through its network of departments focused on areas like parks, infrastructure, and equitable development. More details about city operations are available at the official website: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/.
Sanitation collection services will continue as scheduled during the week of January 19. Residential trash and recycling will be collected as normal from Monday to Thursday; however, the sanitation office itself will not be open. Residents are encouraged to sign up for sanitation collection alerts and schedule changes with the AVL Collects app or at ashevillenc.gov/AVLcollects.
ART bus service routes and facilities will operate on a holiday schedule that mirrors Sunday service. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one of six days ART runs on this reduced schedule. For more route information or service alerts, visit RidetheART.com.
Most parks and greenways managed by Asheville Parks & Recreation remain open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., but some exceptions apply:
– All areas of French Broad River and Recreation parks are closed.
– John B. Lewis Soccer Complex is open; all other areas of Azalea Park are closed.
– Carrier Park’s ballfield, playground, skate rink, and courts are closed; picnic shelter, parking lot, wetland areas, velodrome, and the portion of French Broad River Greenway through the park remain open.
– The portion of French Broad River Greenway running through French Broad River Park is closed.
– Some areas of Richmond Hill Park are closed with signage.
All community centers and administrative offices are closed on January 19. Outdoor park features adjacent to community center buildings stay open between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Riverside Cemetery offices are also closed but grounds remain accessible from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., though some sections may be off-limits due to Helene-related damage.
The Burton Street Community Center will co-host a day of service with local organizations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Community entertainment venues such as Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville will close for the day; ticketing operations resume Tuesday-Friday during regular business hours or before events by contacting hello@harrahscherokeecenterasheville.com.
The WNC Nature Center remains open during regular hours (see www.wildwnc.org for more information), while Asheville Municipal Golf Course and Asheville Muni Disc Golf continue normal play with tee times bookable at www.ashevillegc.com.
Water Resources offices close for the holiday but maintain staff availability around-the-clock for emergencies related to leaks or service interruptions via (828) 251-1122; water treatment facilities remain staffed continuously throughout the period.
Public safety services—including police, fire, and emergency response—will operate according to their usual schedules without interruption (24/7).
Asheville’s City Hall at 70 Court Plaza serves as the central hub for municipal operations under a council-manager form of government where elected officials set policy direction while daily operations are managed by an appointed city manager: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/. The city coordinates among departments such as Public Works, Water Resources and Planning to manage its services effectively: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/.
More details about specific department closures or adjusted schedules can be found at https://www.ashevillenc.gov/.
