Columbus Day 2026
Columbus Day 2026 falls on Monday, October 12, 2026.
What is Columbus Day?
Columbus Day falls on the second Monday of October — October 12 in 2026 — commemorating Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. It's one of the more contested federal holidays in recent years, with a growing number of states and cities observing Indigenous Peoples' Day on the same date instead.
Where the tradition comes from
Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937, following decades of advocacy, particularly from Italian-American communities. In recent decades, criticism of Columbus's treatment of Indigenous peoples has led numerous states and cities to rename or replace the observance with Indigenous Peoples' Day, though it remains Columbus Day at the federal level.
How it's observed in 2026
Columbus Day closes federal offices and banks, though observance varies more by state and locality than almost any other federal holiday — some states don't observe it as a paid holiday for state employees at all.
Common questions
Is Columbus Day still a federal holiday?
Yes, it remains an official federal holiday, though several states and cities officially observe Indigenous Peoples' Day on the same date instead.
What day is Columbus Day 2026?
Monday, October 12, 2026 — the second Monday of October.
Do banks close for Columbus Day?
Most banks follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule and close, though this is one of the more commonly varied observances among private businesses.