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Dec. 24, 2025
 Happy holidays from all of us at the city of Clearwater! This is the last issue of "MyClearwater News" for 2025. Look for the next issue to arrive in your inbox Jan. 2, 2026. Be safe during the holidays as you enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Our City Employees are in the Holiday Spirit!
 Our city employees are in the holiday spirit and are giving back in a big way with the Salvation Army Angel Tree and Silver Santas programs!
Wastewater Collections came through with nearly $400 in gifts for the Salvation Army Angel Tree and fulfilled 15 Angel Tree tags, and our Library teams filled 75 Silver Santa tags for seniors at the Countryside and Main Libraries.
Thank you to all our patrons and employees who made donations this year!
General Services Tradesworker Team Gets In the Holiday Spirit
 Our General Services team recently gathered for an end-of-year lunch, celebrating the season with festive attire, good cheer and strong camaraderie. These Santas keep the city's buildings, vehicles, equipment and radios in tip-top shape all year round.
Thank you, General Services, for all you do to keep our teams hard at work for our community!
There's Extra Holiday Cheer Around Public Utilities This Year!
 Water Distribution Supervisor Scott Batten has been painting festive artwork on city windows and doors at Clearwater Public Utilities to brighten the season for employees and visitors. Batten's holiday tradition started with just one front office window to boost spirits. Soon, coworkers asked for more, and his artwork has continued to grow over the years.
Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Schedules Change, Due to the Holidays
 City of Clearwater offices, libraries and some recreation facilities will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas), and Jan. 1 (New Year’s), so employees can be home with their families.
Thursday collections for Christmas and New Year’s will be made on the Wednesday before the holiday, for both residential and commercial solid waste and recycling collections. Thursday’s commercial cardboard collection will be picked up Dec. 26 and
Jan. 2. Friday residential solid waste and recycling collections remain on their normal schedule.
Several city services continue to be available at MyClearwater.com when the city is closed.
 The city of Clearwater offices, libraries and recreation centers will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 24, remain closed Dec. 25 for Christmas, and resume normal business hours Dec. 26.
All libraries, recreation centers, and city offices will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31, remain closed Jan. 1 for New Year's Day, and resume normal business hours Jan. 2. In addition, the Pier 60 Bait House will be closed Jan. 1 for New Year's Day and will reopen Jan. 2.
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Upcoming Events
ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day
Dec. 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hilton Clearwater Beach
 Join the Vanderbilt and Iowa college football teams, their marching bands and cheerleaders as they enjoy the sun and sand at the Hilton Clearwater Beach next to Pier 60. This fun day includes live music, a game of tug-of-war and other contests from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 29. The event is sponsored by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, the Hilton Clearwater Beach, BayCare, Amplify Clearwater, the city of Clearwater, Allegiant, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, 93.3FLZ, 970WFLA and 620WDAE Radio.
In the evening, be sure to experience the Sunsets at Pier 60 celebration featuring artisans, vendors, music and more as you marvel at another stunning sunset on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The ReliaQuest Bowl pits teams from the Southeastern and Big 10 conferences against each another in a noon kickoff Dec. 31 at Raymond James Stadium.
Celebrate the Holidays at the Epic New Year’s Party!
Dec. 31, 1 to 3:30 p.m., North Greenwood Library
 Join us at North Greenwood Library Dec. 30, 1 to 3:30 p.m. for a fun-filled afternoon with a screening of How to Train Your Dragon (PG), Super Mario games, and themed crafts inspired by Epic Universe. This free, family-friendly event is first-come, first-served—don’t miss out!
See Fireworks at 'Light It Up, Clearwater!'
Dec. 31, Midnight, Clearwater Beach
 Hosted by Amplify Clearwater, this event allows residents and visitors to relax with their toes in the sand, watch one of Clearwater's world-famous sunsets, grab a bite to eat and then ring in the New Year with fireworks at midnight Dec. 31.
Fireworks are launched from Sand Key Park, and the viewing location is the southern part of Clearwater Beach.
1st Friday Lunchtime Market!
Jan. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cleveland Street
 Join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 2 on Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater to kick off 2026 with local vendors, tasty dining specials, raffle prizes and more. This is a perfect way to lunch, shop and celebrate the new year!
Other Upcoming Events
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All Clearwater Libraries Close at 5 p.m., Dec. 24
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City Offices, Libraries and Recreation Centers Close for Christmas, Dec. 25
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Winter Break Camps, week of Dec. 29, various recreation centers
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Epic New Year's Party, Dec. 31, 1 to 3:30 p.m., North Greenwood Library
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Deadline to Apply for Student Ambassador Exchange Program, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.
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All Clearwater Libraries Close at 5 p.m., Dec. 31
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Market Marie, Jan. 10, 10 a.m., Coachman Park
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Duck Dash 5K, Jan. 11, 7:30 a.m., Coachman Park
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Morningside Polar Plunge, Jan. 17, 9 a.m., Morningside Recreation Center
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Rubber Ducky Birthday Bash, Jan. 17, 10 a.m., Coachman Park
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Upcoming Public Meetings
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Public Art & Design Advisory Board, Jan. 8, 4 p.m.
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Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting, Jan. 12, 1 p.m.
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Downtown Development Board Meeting, Jan. 12, 1 p.m.
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City Council Work Session, Jan. 12, 1:30 p.m.
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Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Jan. 13, 9 a.m.
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City Council Meeting, Jan. 15, 6 p.m.
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Community Development Board Meeting, Jan. 20, 1 p.m.
City meetings are typically held in city council chambers at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave., unless otherwise noted. Stream on the city's Facebook page or the city's YouTube channel, or watch live on C-View TV Spectrum Channel 638, Frontier Channel 30 and WOW! Channel 15.
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Spreading Holiday Cheer: Our Library Team Celebrates the Season!
 Our library team is full of holiday cheer this season! From storytimes and craft workshops to festive community events, we’ve loved celebrating the holidays with the city. It’s been a joy bringing smiles, fun, and a little extra magic to everyone who visits the library this time of year.
In Need of a Last-Minute Gift for the Duck Lover In Your Life?
 Treat yourself or a loved one with a last-minute gift idea for the holidays: the chance to take a photo of your vehicle and the world's largest rubber duck. Be one of the first to get an unobstructed photo of your Jeep (or any vehicle!) with Mama Duck Jan. 9 at Coachman Park. Only 25 time slots are left to purchase, at $15 each.
Looking for a Way to Give Back This Holiday Season?
Looking for a way to give back this holiday season? The Clearwater Public Library System is holding a food drive for Hope Villages of America. Drop off food items, such as canned soups, beans, or cereal at the Countryside, East, North Greenwood, or Main Library branches during open hours. Donations can be dropped off through Jan. 28, 2026.
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When To Say Goodbye To Your Christmas Tree
 The Clearwater Solid Waste Department will be collecting Christmas trees again this year from the curb with your regular yard waste. Remember to remove all decorations, including hooks, garland, tinsel and lights. Then, leave the tree at the curb; it should be left loose for pickup and not in a bag or a trash can. Collections begin Dec. 26.
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Putting Waste to Its Highest and Best Use This Holiday Season
 This is the time of year people produce the most waste -- at least 25 percent more than usual from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. That’s about 1 million extra tons of garbage! To reduce the size of your trash load, be sure to place all clean and dry empty plastic bottles and containers, metal cans, glass, flattened cardboard and paper in your blue recycling bin.
Place the wrapping paper in the garbage if it is foil-based, cannot be torn easily, or contains glitter or shiny plastic details. Tissue paper, bows and ribbon should be placed in the trash, too. Save gift bags to reuse for next year.
All recyclables should be loose in the container. Plastic bags, bubble wrap and air pillows should never be placed in your blue recycling bin; take them back to the grocery store instead.
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Don't Pour Fats, Oils and Cooking Greases Down the Drain This Holiday Season
Holiday cooking often produces extra fats, oils and greases. Pouring them down the drain can clog pipes and cause sewer backups. Even small amounts can build up over time and create costly plumbing problems.
After cooking, allow grease to cool, then pour it into a sealed container and place it in the trash. Wipe excess grease from pots, pans and plates with a paper towel before washing them. Food scraps should be scraped into the trash or composted when possible.
Proper disposal of fats, oils and grease helps keep pipes flowing, prevents unpleasant backups and protects the city’s wastewater system during the busy holiday season and beyond.
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Looking to Start a New Art Hobby This Year?
 Join us at our Open Art Studio every Tuesday and Thursday in the Main Library’s Creation Studio. Bring your own project or try something new with help from staff — painting, drawing, laser engraving, and more await!
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Join a Clearwater Advisory Board
 The city of Clearwater is in need of applicants for several advisory boards, including the Marine Advisory Board, Municipal Code Enforcement Board, Brownfields Advisory Board, Public Art and Design, Sister Cities Advisory Board, Community Resiliency and Leisure Services Advisory Board.
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Adopt-A-Drain Clearwater
 Clearwater is excited to announce the upcoming launch of the Adopt-A-Drain Program, a new opportunity for residents to “adopt” storm drains in their neighborhood and help protect our community. By keeping leaves, litter and debris away from storm drains, especially before storms, you will be helping reduce local flooding and prevent pollution from entering our waterways. Small actions make a big difference.
Many people do not realize that storm drains flow directly into our lakes, creeks and wetlands without any filtration. That means anything entering a drain goes straight into our natural waterways. By keeping drains clear, you are actively contributing to cleaner, healthier water throughout Clearwater and supporting the long-term resilience of our environment.
In addition, it is important to reduce the amount of pollutants on properties. Trash, debris and pollutants in yards – such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides – can wash into the stormwater system, too, polluting the environment.
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We're Hiring. Join Our Team!
 Join our team! The city offers competitive compensation, medical benefits, wellness programs, an employee health center, paid time off, pension benefits, training, development, rewards and recognition.
Recently Posted Job Listings
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Library & Recreation Center Information
Libraries
Parks & Recreation
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Jan. 19, 8 a.m., North Greenwood Recreation Center
 The city of Clearwater and the NAACP Clearwater Upper Pinellas County Branch present the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Jan. 19, at the North Greenwood Recreation Center, 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
Schedule
- 8-9 a.m.: Breakfast at North Greenwood Recreation Center.
- 9-11 a.m.: Programming and speakers.
- March immediately after.
For more information, email NAACP5096@gmail.com, call (727) 307-4865.
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