This Thanksgiving long weekend is about giving thanks, fall colours and spending time with your community, family and friends. If you’re looking for something fun to do this holiday weekend, the City of London is offering free events for Londoners to enjoy.
Free guided hikes, puppet shows, pickleball and more!
Make the most of your Thanksgiving Day! The City of London is offering a lineup of free recreation and sport programs scheduled throughout the city on Monday, October 14. Join us for some family fun including recreational swimming, adult and family pickleball, skating, dancing, family badminton, playdough creations and more! Plus, we're excited to offer free, guided hikes sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, at Meadowlily Woods, Kains Woods, and Killaly Meadows. There’s even a new, special puppet show for the little ones!
Make this Thanksgiving an active and imaginative one to remember. Learn more and find the full list of free programs.
View the fall colours from City Hall’s observation deck
Looking for a beautiful view of the City’s foliage? Check out our Fall in Love with the Forest City event and join us at our top floor observation deck to enjoy the aerial view of the Forest City as the foliage changes from green to autumn colours.
Observation deck will be open Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
StoryBOO! returns to Storybook Gardens
Get your costumes, trick-or-treat bags and flashlights ready! Starting the evening of Friday, October 11, the annual family-friendly Halloween event returns to Storybook Gardens. Check out the light displays, an enchanting Storybook puppet maze and more. StoryBOO! 2024 also features a special “Daylight MiniBOO!” on October 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.! The park is fully outdoors, and attractions may be closed due to inclement weather. Visit london.ca/StorybookGardens to see what select dates StoryBOO! is taking place and to start planning your spooky fall trip.
Put fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in the right place
Have leftover gravy from your holiday meal? Don't pour it down the sink or toilet. Fats, oils and grease like gravy or cooking oil can block sewer pipes and cause major issues.
Use a City of London FOG Cup or a compostable cup to collect fats, oils, and grease. Certified compostable FOG cups can be placed inside the Green Bin, including the lid. If you are not using a FOG cup, you can also collect fats, oils and grease in a coffee cup or can that you can place into the freezer. If using a coffee cup or can please put into the garbage.
Fats, oils and grease can go directly into the Green Bin. Before washing pots, pans and dishes wait for the FOG to solidify by letting it cool at room temperature or in the fridge. Scrape it into the Green Bin and use an absorbent material such as paper towel or soiled paper to wipe out container and put into the Green Bin. Learn more: Sewers and wastewater | City of London
There are no collection services on Thanksgiving Monday – all Zones shift one day forward
Residents are reminded to check their collection schedule for your next curbside collection day. When a statutory holiday occurs, all collection zones in London shift one business day forward. Residents can check their collection schedule at london.ca/collectioncalendar.
City of London Office Closures
All City administrative offices will be closed on Monday, October 14, including City Hall, Citi Plaza, all Ontario Works offices, and the Provincial Offences Administrative Office.