You’re probably here because you’re looking at a calendar and realizing things don't quite line up. Maybe you have the day off. Maybe your bank is closed, but your favorite coffee shop is buzzing like any other Monday. If you're wondering when is Columbus Day celebrated, the short answer is always the second Monday in October. In 2026, that lands on October 12. But honestly? The "when" is the easy part. The "where" and "what" are where things get messy.
The holiday is a federal one in the United States. That means mail doesn't move. Federal courts take a breather. However, we’ve reached a point in American culture where the name of the day depends entirely on your zip code.
The Calendar Logic Behind the Second Monday
Why a Monday? It wasn't always like this. For a long time, people just celebrated on October 12, the actual date Christopher Columbus sighted land in the Bahamas in 1492. But then the government stepped in.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. They wanted to give federal employees more three-day weekends. It’s practical. It’s also why we celebrate Presidents' Day and Memorial Day on Mondays instead of their "real" dates. The law took effect in 1971, officially pinning the celebration to the second Monday of October.
Interestingly, October 12 is actually the "real" anniversary. In 2026, the Monday holiday and the actual anniversary happen to align perfectly. That doesn't happen every year. It’s a bit of a fluke of the Gregorian calendar.
Does Every State Follow the Schedule?
Not even close.
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While the federal government recognizes the second Monday in October, individual states have been jumping ship for decades. Take South Dakota. Way back in 1990, they ditched the name and started celebrating Native Americans' Day. They were the first. Now, you have places like Hawaii observing Discoverers' Day, though it’s not an official state holiday.
If you are in Florida or Texas, you might find the day passes without much fanfare at the state government level. In contrast, states with deep Italian-American roots, like New Jersey and New York, still treat the day as a major pillar of cultural pride.
Indigenous Peoples' Day: The Shift in Timing and Tone
You can't talk about when is Columbus Day celebrated without acknowledging that for millions of people, it isn't Columbus Day anymore. It’s Indigenous Peoples' Day.
The shift started as a protest in Berkeley, California, in 1992. Since then, the movement has snowballed. President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to officially issue a proclamation for Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2021. He did it alongside the traditional Columbus Day proclamation.
Now, many cities—from Seattle to Phoenix—celebrate the second Monday in October as a day to honor the history and resilience of Native American tribes. They didn't change the date. They changed the focus. It’s a weird tension. One person is celebrating 15th-century maritime exploration, while the person next to them is mourning the colonization that followed.
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The Global Perspective: It’s Not Just an American Thing
Columbus didn't land in New Jersey. He landed in the Caribbean. Because of that, the second Monday in October (or October 12 specifically) is a massive deal across Latin America and Spain.
- Spain: They call it Fiesta Nacional de España. It’s their National Day. Huge parades in Madrid. No mentions of "Columbus Day" there; it’s about the identity of the Spanish state.
- The Bahamas: They celebrate National Heroes Day on the second Monday in October. It used to be Discovery Day, but they rebranded in 2013 to honor their own citizens.
- Latin America: You’ll hear names like Día de la Hispanidad or Día de la Raza (Day of the Race). In many of these countries, the focus is on the "encounter" of two worlds and the resulting mestizo culture, rather than the man himself.
What’s Actually Open on the Second Monday?
This is the practical side of the question. Since it's a federal holiday, "the big stuff" closes.
Banks and Finance: The Federal Reserve is closed. Most major banks follow suit, although some retail branches in grocery stores might stay open. If you’re waiting on a wire transfer, forget it. It’s not happening until Tuesday. The stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ), however, usually stays open. That's a weird quirk. Bankers get the day off, but traders keep grinding.
The Post Office: USPS takes the day off. No home delivery. No retail services. UPS and FedEx, being private companies, usually stay open and deliver packages as normal.
Schools: This is a toss-up. In many urban districts, schools are closed. In rural areas or states that don't recognize the holiday, it’s just another Monday of math and social studies.
The Italian-American Connection
For a huge portion of the population, specifically in the Northeast, the celebration is about heritage. In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants faced massive discrimination. In 1891, eleven Italian Americans were lynched in New Orleans. It was one of the largest mass lynchings in U.S. history.
President Benjamin Harrison actually established the first national celebration of Columbus Day in 1892 as a direct response to that violence. It was a way to tell the country that Italians were "part of the story." This is why groups like the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America fight so hard to keep the name. To them, it’s not about the 1492 voyage; it’s about their own ancestors' struggle to be seen as Americans.
Common Misconceptions About the Date
People often get confused about why we don't just celebrate on the 12th every year. It’s the "three-day weekend" culture of the U.S.
Another weird fact: Columbus never actually set foot on the mainland of what is now the United States. He spent his time in the Caribbean and Central and South America. So, the "celebration" is more about the symbolic start of European contact with the Americas.
Also, some people think it’s a "bank holiday" everywhere. It’s not. In many states, like California, it’s not a paid holiday for state employees. They swapped it out years ago for other days like the day after Thanksgiving.
Practical Steps for Navigating the Holiday
Since the celebration varies so much by location, you need to check a few things before you plan your Monday.
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- Check Local Government Sites: If you have business at the DMV or the city clerk's office, check their holiday schedule. Many local governments follow the state's lead, not the feds.
- Verify School Calendars: Don't assume your kids are off. Check the district's "Instructional Calendar" online.
- Financial Planning: If you have bills due on that Monday, pay them by Friday. Even though online banking works, the "processing day" usually shifts to Tuesday.
- Acknowledge the Context: If you're traveling or hosting an event, be aware of the local vibe. Celebrating "Columbus Day" in a city that officially recognizes "Indigenous Peoples' Day" might result in some awkward conversations.
The reality of the second Monday in October is that it’s a day in transition. Whether you're honoring Italian heritage, reflecting on indigenous history, or just enjoying a quiet day because the mail isn't running, it remains one of the most complex dates on the American calendar.
Check your local garbage collection schedule too. Most municipalities still pick up trash on Columbus Day, but some don't. It’s the little things that'll get you. Plan for a "soft" holiday where some things are paused and others are full steam ahead.
Actionable Takeaways for 2026
- Date Check: Confirm your local events for Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Mail & Banking: Plan for a 24-hour delay in federal services.
- Cultural Awareness: Research whether your specific city has transitioned to Indigenous Peoples' Day to ensure you're using the correct terminology for local community events.
- Travel: Expect typical "long weekend" traffic patterns on the Friday before and Monday afternoon, especially in the Northeast.