Columbus Day is a federal public holiday in the United States, observed annually on the second Monday of October. Originally designated to remember Christopher Columbus's historic 1492 landfall in the Americas, the day has evolved significantly. Today, many states co-celebrate or replace it with Indigenous Peoples' Day, creating a diverse landscape of dynamic local holiday traditions.
Columbus Day 2026, 2027 & 2028
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 12 | Mon | Columbus Day | AL, AZ, CT, DC, GA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MO, MT, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, UT, VA, WV; Federal workers |
| 2027 | October 11 | Mon | Columbus Day | AL, AZ, CT, DC, GA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MO, MT, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, UT, VA, WV; Federal workers |
| 2028 | October 9 | Mon | Columbus Day | AL, AZ, CT, DC, GA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MO, MT, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, UT, VA, WV; Federal workers |
Upcoming Columbus Day Calendar Schedule
Because this holiday follows the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, its exact date moves on a fixed Monday format each autumn. Review the upcoming official tracking details below:
- Columbus Day 2026: Monday, October 12
- Columbus Day 2027: Monday, October 11
- Columbus Day 2028: Monday, October 9
How is the Holiday Celebrated in the United States?
U.S. observations vary widely by state and region, balancing historical Italian-American cultural heritage with alternative native tributes.
Italian-American Festivals
For millions, the day is a celebration of Italian-American heritage. Major cities like New York and Chicago host massive public street parades featuring marching bands, traditional music, and colorful floats.
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Dozens of states and hundreds of cities officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day instead. Activities center around Native American cultural rallies, tribal dance performances, and educational seminars on indigenous history.
Autumn Travel Sales
Because the holiday drops during peak fall foliage seasons, families frequently use the standard three-day weekend for autumn road trips, camping, and taking advantage of major holiday retail retail discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
As an official federal holiday, all non-essential federal government facilities, federal courts, and U.S. Post Offices close down. Public school closures vary by state and district parameters.
No, because Columbus Day is a recognized Federal Reserve banking holiday, most corporate retail bank branches and credit unions close their lobbies, though automated online banking remains open.
No. While it is a federal public holiday, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq remain completely open for regular trading, though the corporate bond market closes down.
View Holidays by US State
Select your state below to find complete public holiday schedules, school breaks, and official bank closure dates: