Modified services and closures announced for DC Emancipation Day observance

On Wednesday, April 16, the District Government will observe the DC Emancipation Day holiday. Despite this, essential District operations will remain active with the support of many District employees.

Mayor Bowser invites residents to take part in the DC Emancipation Day festivities on Sunday, April 13. The event includes a parade, concert, and fireworks. Details are available at emancipation.dc.gov.

Emergency shelters will continue to offer services. Low-barrier shelters for the homeless open 24/7 are accessible to those in need. Transportation assistance can be sought via the Homeless Services Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311.

The Downtown Day Services Center, located at 1313 New York Avenue NW, will operate from 9 am to 5 pm, allowing walk-ins with no appointment needed. Youth-centered services such as Zoe’s Doors Youth Drop-In Center, the Sasha Bruce Youth Drop-In Center, and the Latin American Youth Center Youth Drop-In Center will also be open during certain hours on the holiday.

The DC Department of Behavioral Health provides a hotline at 988 for mental health support. In-person services like the DC Stabilization Center and the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program will operate normally.

DC parks, playgrounds, and some library locations will remain open. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, among others, will welcome visitors on April 16 during specified hours, with online resources at dclibrary.org.

Department of Public Works adjustments include halting trash, recycling, and food waste collections on April 16. Services will resume the following day with scheduling variations throughout the week.

Transport-related activities, including construction under the District Department of Transportation, will pause non-emergency operations, resuming on April 17. Parking enforcement is also on hold for the holiday, barring streetcar-related activities.

Closed services for the day include DC Public Schools, certain Department of Parks and Recreation facilities, DC Health centers, and Department of Motor Vehicles locations. Online resources for some of these services remain accessible.

For further details, Mayor Bowser's updates can be followed on various social media platforms.