Columbus Day 2026: What’s Open and Closed on Monday, Oct. 12

Columbus Day, which many states and cities observe as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, falls on Monday, October 12, 2026. It is a federal holiday, so post offices, federal offices and most bank branches are closed, but the stock market is open and most stores and restaurants run normal hours. Below is a category-by-category guide to what is open and closed, what to do about payments and deliveries, and ideas for making the most of the long weekend.

Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day: A Quick Background

Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937, and since 1971 it has been observed on the second Monday in October. The official federal name remains Columbus Day, as listed by the US Office of Personnel Management.

At the state and local level, the picture is mixed. A 2025 Pew Research Center analysis found that only 20 states and two territories make Columbus Day a paid holiday for state workers, while 17 states and Washington, D.C., have holidays honoring Native Americans on the second Monday in October. Some states observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day, some observe both, and in many states it is a regular working Monday for state and local government. That is why the answer to “Is it a holiday?” often depends on where you live and who you work for.

What’s Closed on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

Service	Status	Notes
US Postal Service	Closed	No retail counters and no regular mail delivery
Federal government offices	Closed	Includes Social Security offices and federal courts
Most bank branches	Mostly closed	Federal Reserve holiday; some banks keep some branches open
Bond market	Closed	Per SIFMA’s 2026 recommendation
State and local government offices	Varies	Depends on your state and city
Public schools	Varies	Check your district calendar

Post offices and mail

USPS observes Columbus Day, so post office counters are closed and regular mail and package delivery do not run on Oct. 12. Self-service kiosks in some lobbies and online services such as buying postage or scheduling a pickup for later still work. If you have a time-sensitive letter or bill payment going by mail, send it by Friday, Oct. 9 or expect it to move a day later.

Banks

Columbus Day is on the Federal Reserve’s 2026 holiday schedule, and because the Fed’s payment systems do not process that day, most banks and credit unions close their branches. Some banks have historically kept many branches open on this holiday, so check your own bank’s website or app before you go.

Whatever your branch does, the payment system matters more. ACH transfers and many wire transfers do not settle on a Fed holiday, so a transfer you start on Monday will usually process on Tuesday, Oct. 13. If a direct deposit, rent payment or bill is due around that date, check with your bank or employer. ATMs, mobile apps and online banking work normally, though transactions may post the next business day.

Federal offices and courts

Federal agencies close, including Social Security field offices and IRS walk-in centers, and federal courts are closed. Online services such as IRS.gov and SSA.gov stay available. National parks remain open, though visitor centers may have reduced services in some locations.

State and local offices, DMVs and schools

This is where things vary the most. In states that observe the day, state offices and DMVs are typically closed. In states that do not, they operate normally. City services such as trash collection may or may not shift. Public school calendars differ by district, even within the same state. The simplest approach: check your state government website, your city’s service calendar and your school district calendar the week before.

What’s Open on Columbus Day 2026

Service	Status	Notes
NYSE and Nasdaq	Open	Normal trading hours
UPS	Open	Standard pickup and delivery
FedEx	Mostly open	Some services may run a modified schedule
Retail stores and malls	Open	Many run holiday sales
Grocery stores and pharmacies	Open	Usual hours for most chains
Restaurants and coffee shops	Open	Usual hours
Movie theaters, museums, attractions	Generally open	Some offer holiday hours or events
Public transit	Usually running	Some systems use a holiday or weekend schedule

The stock market vs the bond market

This one confuses people every year. The New York Stock Exchange’s published 2026 holiday list does not include Columbus Day, so stocks trade normally from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The bond market, however, follows a separate recommendation from SIFMA, the securities industry group, which calls for a full close on Oct. 12, 2026 for trading in US Treasuries, corporate bonds, municipal bonds and similar securities. SIFMA’s closures are recommendations, and individual firms decide how to operate. If you are an investor, the practical effect is that stock trades happen normally but settlement that depends on bank payment systems may take an extra day.

Shipping with UPS and FedEx

UPS runs a normal schedule on Columbus Day, and The UPS Store locations are generally open. FedEx operates most services, with some, such as certain Express services, on a modified schedule. If you are a small business shipping orders, it is worth checking the carrier’s 2026 holiday schedule and telling customers about any USPS delays.

Retail and holiday sales

Retailers treat the long weekend as a sales event, particularly for furniture, mattresses, appliances, fall clothing and outdoor gear. As with any sale, compare prices over a few weeks; some “holiday” discounts match regular promotions.

What About Friday and Tuesday?

The holiday affects the days around it too. Friday, Oct. 9 is a normal business day everywhere, which makes it the last day to handle in-person errands at the post office, bank branch or a federal office before the break. Expect some extra lines at post offices and banks that afternoon.

Tuesday, Oct. 13 is the catch-up day. Mail delivered on Tuesday includes what would have arrived on Monday, bank transfers started over the weekend or on the holiday begin to settle, and government phone lines can be busier than usual. If you need to call a federal agency, mid-morning later in the week is often a better bet than first thing Tuesday. For businesses, Tuesday is a good day to send any customer email you held back, since inboxes tend to be lighter over the long weekend.

Checklist: Plan Around the Holiday

• Mail anything time-sensitive by Friday, Oct. 9.
• Schedule bill payments and transfers so they do not depend on Monday processing.
• Check whether your bank branch is open before making a trip.
• Check your child’s school calendar and any after-school program schedules.
• Look up your state DMV or local office hours if you need an in-person appointment.
• If you run a business, update your Google hours if you are closing or changing hours, and warn customers of any USPS delivery delays.
• For trips, book lodging early; fall-color destinations are busy on this weekend.

Long-Weekend Ideas for Oct. 10 to 12

For many people with the day off, this is the last three-day weekend until Thanksgiving. Here are ideas across budgets.

Get outside

• Chase fall color. Mid-October is often near peak in parts of New England, the upper Midwest and the higher elevations of the Appalachians and Rockies. Check a state tourism foliage report the week before.
• Visit a state park you have never seen. Weekday Monday visits are often quieter than the Saturday rush.
• Go apple picking or to a pumpkin patch. Many farms book up on the long weekend, so reserve if they take reservations.
• Take a hike or bike trail close to home and finish with a picnic.

Learn something

• Attend an Indigenous Peoples’ Day event. Many cities, universities and museums host powwows, talks, film screenings and markets that weekend.
• Visit a museum or cultural center focused on Native American history and art, or learn about the Native nations whose land you live on.
• Go to a local festival. Some cities hold Italian American heritage parades and festivals on or around the holiday.

Stay close to home

• Start fall projects: clean gutters, rake, plant spring bulbs, or winterize outdoor faucets.
• Carve pumpkins with family or friends, keeping in mind that carved pumpkins last only a few days, so this weekend is early for a Halloween display.
• Host a fall potluck with chili, soups and apple desserts.
• Plan ahead for the holidays: book Thanksgiving travel and set a gift budget before prices climb.

Traveling Over the Long Weekend

Airlines, airports and the TSA operate normally on Columbus Day, and Amtrak and intercity buses run their usual or holiday schedules. Because it is a three-day weekend for federal workers, many students and some private-sector employees, expect busier roads on Friday afternoon and Monday afternoon, especially on routes into popular fall destinations.

• Leave early or late. Starting a drive before 7 a.m. Saturday or returning Monday morning instead of Monday evening often avoids the worst traffic.
• Book lodging now. Inns and cabins near peak foliage areas can fill weeks ahead, and prices tend to rise closer to the date.
• Check park and trail rules. Some popular state and national park areas use timed-entry reservations or fill their parking lots by mid-morning on busy weekends.
• Pack for cold mornings. Mid-October nights can drop near freezing in the mountains and the northern states, even after a warm afternoon.
• Keep Monday light. If you are flying back, leave room for delays so you are not rushing to work on Tuesday.

Marking Indigenous Peoples’ Day Thoughtfully

If you or your family want to observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a few simple, respectful options are available almost anywhere.

• Learn whose land you live on and read about that nation’s history and present-day community, ideally from sources written by its members.
• Buy directly from Native artists and businesses at markets, museum shops or their own websites, rather than from mass-produced “Native-style” products.
• Read or watch work by Native authors and filmmakers. A local library can help you find recent titles for adults and children.
• Attend public events hosted by tribal nations or Native organizations, and follow any guidance about photography or participation.

For Small Business Owners: Should You Close?

There is no federal requirement for private employers to close or give paid time off on federal holidays. Your decision depends on your customers. A retail shop or restaurant usually benefits from staying open because many customers have the day off. A B2B service firm whose clients include banks or government offices may find Monday quiet. If you do stay open, the holiday is a reasonable time to run a promotion. If you close, post it on your door, website and Google profile a week ahead. Employment rules vary by state and by any contract or policy you have, so check with your state labor department or an employment professional if you are unsure about holiday pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus Day a federal holiday in 2026?

Yes. Columbus Day falls on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, and is one of the 11 federal holidays listed by OPM.

Is there mail delivery on Columbus Day 2026?

No regular USPS delivery or retail counter service on Oct. 12. Mail resumes on Tuesday, Oct. 13. UPS runs a normal schedule, and FedEx operates most services.

Is the stock market open on Columbus Day?

Yes. The NYSE and Nasdaq trade normal hours. The bond market is closed that day under SIFMA’s recommendation.

Are banks open on Columbus Day 2026?

Most bank branches close because it is a Federal Reserve holiday, though some banks keep branches open. Online banking and ATMs work, but transfers generally process on the next business day.

Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day a federal holiday?

The federal holiday is officially named Columbus Day. Many states, cities, schools and organizations observe the same day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, either instead of or alongside Columbus Day.

Are schools closed on Columbus Day?

It depends on the district. Some close, some stay open, and some use the day for teacher training. Check your local school calendar.

Make the Monday Count

Oct. 12, 2026 is a partial holiday for most Americans: the government, post office and most banks stop, while stores, restaurants and the stock market carry on. Handle your mail and payments by Friday, check the few local services that vary by state, and then enjoy what is, for many, the last long weekend of fall before the holiday season starts.