Columbus Day 2025: Date, Federal Holiday Status, and What's Open or Closed

Columbus Day 2025 falls on Monday, October 13th, marking the federal observance of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. As one of America's federal holidays, Columbus Day affects government operations, banking services, mail delivery, and school schedules across the country, though its observance varies significantly by state and locality. Whether you're planning your week, wondering about bank closures, or simply curious about this evolving holiday, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Columbus Day 2025. When Is Columbus Day 2025? Columbus Day is always observed on the second Monday in October, making it a long weekend for many Americans. In 2025, Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 13th. This consistent scheduling as a Monday holiday was established by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, which moved several federal holidays to Mondays to create three-day weekends for workers. The law took effect in 1971, and Columbus Day has been celebrated on the second Monday of October ever since. Planning ahead? Future Columbus Day dates include: 2026: October 12 2027: October 11 2028: October 9 2029: October 8 Is Columbus Day a Federal Holiday? Yes, Columbus Day is one of eleven federal holidays recognized by the United States government. This means federal employees receive paid time off, and federal government offices close for the day. However, federal holiday status doesn't automatically mean universal observance. Unlike holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving that virtually everyone celebrates, Columbus Day observance varies dramatically across states, cities, and private employers. Federal offices affected include Social Security Administration offices, federal courthouses, passport offices, IRS taxpayer assistance centers, and other government agencies operating under federal authority. State and local governments make independent decisions about Columbus Day observance. Some states give employees the day off, others don't recognize it at all, and many have replaced it with alternative observances like Indigenous Peoples' Day. What's Open and Closed on Columbus Day 2025? Knowing what operates normally versus what closes helps you plan your Monday accordingly. Banks and Financial Institutions Most banks will be closed on Columbus Day 2025 since it's a federal holiday recognized by the Federal Reserve. Major banks including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and U.S. Bank typically close their branches on federal holidays. ATMs and online banking remain available 24/7, so you can still access cash and manage accounts electronically. Mobile banking apps function normally throughout the holiday. Credit unions generally follow the same schedule as banks, closing for the federal holiday while maintaining ATM and digital services. Stock markets close for Columbus Day. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ observe the holiday, so no trading occurs on October 13th, 2025. Post Offices and Mail Delivery Post offices will be closed on Columbus Day 2025, and regular mail delivery will not occur. This affects both residential and business mail delivery. No package delivery from USPS on Columbus Day, so expect delays if you're awaiting mail or packages scheduled for Monday delivery. Private carriers like UPS and FedEx typically maintain normal operations on Columbus Day since it's not universally observed. Check with specific carriers for their holiday schedules, as some services may have modified hours. Retail Stores and Restaurants Most retail stores remain open on Columbus Day with regular hours. Major retailers including Walmart, Target, Costco, Home Depot, and grocery stores typically operate normally since Columbus Day isn't widely observed in the private sector. Costco specifically maintains regular hours on Columbus Day, unlike some other federal holidays when it closes. You can shop as usual on October 13th, 2025. Restaurants and fast food establishments generally stay open with standard hours. Columbus Day doesn't significantly impact restaurant operations. Shopping malls remain open, and many retailers offer Columbus Day sales and promotions to capitalize on the long weekend. Schools and Universities School closures vary widely by district and state. Some school systems give students and teachers the day off, while others hold regular classes. Check your local district to confirm whether schools are open. Even within states, individual districts may make different decisions about Columbus Day observance. Many universities don't close for Columbus Day, maintaining regular class schedules despite its federal holiday status. Healthcare and Emergency Services Hospitals and emergency rooms operate normally 24/7 regardless of holidays. Emergency services remain fully available. Doctor's offices and clinics vary in their observance. Many private medical practices remain open, though some may have modified hours or closures. Call ahead to confirm availability. Pharmacies in major chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid typically maintain regular hours on Columbus Day. Public Transportation Public transit systems generally run on regular weekday schedules in most cities, though some may operate on modified Sunday or holiday schedules. Check your local transit authority for specific information. Amtrak and other intercity rail services typically maintain regular operations on Columbus Day. The History of Columbus Day Understanding Columbus Day's origins provides context for current debates about its continued observance. The first Columbus Day celebration occurred in 1792 in New York City, marking the 300th anniversary of Columbus's 1492 voyage. These early celebrations were organized primarily by Italian-American communities honoring their heritage. State adoption began in Colorado in 1906, making it the first state to officially observe Columbus Day. Other states gradually followed throughout the early 20th century. Federal holiday designation came in 1937 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a national holiday, largely in response to lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved Columbus Day to the second Monday in October starting in 1971, creating the three-day weekend format we observe today. Traditional significance portrayed Columbus as a heroic explorer whose voyage initiated European contact with the Americas, opening the New World to settlement and marking a pivotal moment in world history. The Controversy Surrounding Columbus Day Columbus Day has become increasingly controversial as historical understanding of colonization's impact has evolved. Indigenous perspectives emphasize that Columbus's arrival initiated centuries of colonization, disease, exploitation, and violence against Native American peoples. For many Indigenous communities, celebrating Columbus feels deeply problematic given this history. Historical reassessment has challenged the traditional heroic narrative of Columbus. Modern scholarship highlights Columbus's brutal treatment of Indigenous populations, the devastating disease and violence that followed European contact, and the inaccuracy of crediting Columbus with "discovering" lands where millions already lived. Growing opposition to Columbus Day observance has led many jurisdictions to reconsider the holiday entirely, seeking alternatives that acknowledge more complete historical perspectives. Indigenous Peoples' Day: The Alternative Observance Many states, cities, and organizations have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, recognizing and celebrating Native American peoples, their histories, and their cultures. South Dakota became the first state to officially replace Columbus Day with Native American Day in 1989. Since then, momentum has accelerated significantly. States observing Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of or alongside Columbus Day in 2025 include Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others. Major cities including Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, Austin, and many others have made the switch to Indigenous Peoples' Day. The observance honors Native American contributions to society, recognizes Indigenous peoples' resilience and survival, acknowledges the historical injustices they faced, and celebrates the diverse cultures of America's original inhabitants. President Biden has issued proclamations recognizing both Columbus Day (as required by federal law) and Indigenous Peoples' Day since taking office, reflecting the dual nature of October's second Monday observance. State-by-State Observance Variations Columbus Day observance differs dramatically across the United States, creating a patchwork of different approaches. States fully observing Columbus Day provide state employees with paid time off and officially recognize the holiday. These include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. States not observing Columbus Day give it no official recognition and don't close state offices. These include Alaska, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. States with alternative observances officially recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day or Native American Day instead of Columbus Day, as mentioned in the previous section. The result is significant variation in how Americans experience this federal holiday. Someone in Massachusetts gets a state holiday, while someone in California experiences a regular work day despite both states being in the same country with the same federal holiday calendar. Columbus Day Sales and Shopping Despite controversy around the holiday itself, retailers have embraced Columbus Day weekend as a major shopping event. Columbus Day sales rival other holiday shopping events, with deep discounts across categories including furniture, mattresses, appliances, electronics, clothing, and home goods. Long weekend timing makes Columbus Day attractive for major purchases, home improvement projects, and fall shopping as retailers clear summer inventory and promote autumn merchandise. Online sales extend throughout Columbus Day weekend, with many deals starting Friday and running through Monday, maximizing the three-day shopping window. Furniture and mattress retailers particularly emphasize Columbus Day promotions, often offering some of their deepest discounts of the year. Travel Considerations for Columbus Day Weekend The three-day weekend created by Columbus Day makes it popular for travel, affecting traffic patterns and tourism. Increased travel demand means higher prices for flights and hotels if you haven't booked in advance. The weekend ranks as a moderately popular travel period, though not as busy as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or Labor Day. Fall foliage peaks in many northern regions during early-to-mid October, making Columbus Day weekend prime time for leaf-peeping trips to New England, the Upper Midwest, and mountain regions. Theme parks and attractions experience higher-than-normal attendance on Columbus Day weekend, particularly in areas where schools close for the holiday. Traffic congestion increases on major highways, especially Friday afternoon as weekend travel begins and Monday evening as travelers return home. Planning for Columbus Day 2025 Whether you're working, celebrating, or simply enjoying a day off, advance planning ensures a smooth Columbus Day experience. Confirm your schedule by checking whether your employer observes Columbus Day. Private sector companies vary widely in their policies, so don't assume you have the day off based solely on federal holiday status. Complete banking needs before the weekend if you need in-person branch services. Remember that while branches close, ATMs and online banking remain accessible. Adjust mail expectations knowing USPS won't deliver on Monday. Plan online orders accounting for the delay if timing matters. Verify school schedules for your district to arrange childcare if needed. Don't assume schools close just because it's a federal holiday. Research local events as many communities host parades, festivals, or cultural celebrations related to either Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day. Book travel early if you're planning a getaway, as popular destinations fill up and prices rise closer to the weekend. The Future of Columbus Day The trajectory of Columbus Day observance suggests continued evolution rather than static tradition. Declining observance seems likely to continue as more jurisdictions adopt Indigenous Peoples' Day or discontinue special recognition of the second Monday in October altogether. Generational differences in perspective mean younger Americans are less likely to support Columbus Day observance, potentially accelerating changes as demographic composition shifts. Federal status remains unchanged despite state and local variations. Altering federal holiday status requires congressional action, which faces political complexities despite changing attitudes at state and local levels. Dual observance recognizing both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day may become more common as a compromise approach, though this satisfies neither those wanting to maintain traditional Columbus Day celebration nor those seeking to eliminate it entirely. Education evolution in schools increasingly presents more complete historical narratives about colonization and its impacts, likely influencing future generations' attitudes toward the holiday. Conclusion Columbus Day 2025 on Monday, October 13th exemplifies how American holidays reflect evolving national values and historical understanding. While it remains a federal holiday closing banks, post offices, and federal offices, its observance varies dramatically across states and communities. Whether you're enjoying a day off, working as usual, celebrating Italian-American heritage, recognizing Indigenous peoples, or simply appreciating a long weekend, understanding what's open and closed helps you navigate the day effectively. The holiday's continued evolution reminds us that how we commemorate history changes as our understanding deepens and our society grows more inclusive. Columbus Day 2025 sits at the intersection of tradition, controversy, and transformation—a distinctly American holiday in its complexity and diversity of observance. Mark your calendar for October 13th, plan accordingly based on your local observance, and recognize that this federal holiday means very different things to different Americans across our diverse nation.