Columbus Day 2026 falls on Monday, October 12. It is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the second Monday in October, and in 2026 it falls on the same calendar date associated with Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492.
Use this page to confirm the October 12 date, check the three-day Columbus Day weekend, review common closure impacts, and understand why some states, cities, schools, and local governments may observe Indigenous Peoples' Day on the same date instead.
Monday, October 12, 2026U.S. federal holidayWeekend: Oct 10-12Local observance varies
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Columbus Day 2026 Date: Monday, October 12
Columbus Day 2026 Calendar Placement
On the October 2026 calendar, the holiday appears on the second Monday of the month. The date sits at the end of a three-day weekend, with Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11 leading into Monday, October 12.
Date
October 12, 2026
Day of week
Monday
Holiday rule
Second Monday in October
Observed federal date
Same date
Weekend range
October 10-12, 2026
Calendar note
Mark Monday, October 12 for Columbus Day 2026
Calendar reading: the highlighted square marks Columbus Day. The nearby weekend dates show the three-day range without turning this page into a travel or events guide.
Yes. The important planning point is what federal holiday status actually controls. It confirms the federal government schedule, but it does not automatically mean every state office, school, local agency, or private workplace follows the same day off.
Federal schedule
Columbus Day
The official U.S. federal holiday name remains Columbus Day.
Federal offices
Follow federal holiday rules
Federal offices generally use the federal holiday schedule.
State and local offices
Check local observance
Some jurisdictions observe Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, or both.
Schools
Depends on the district calendar
School schedules are set locally and may not match the federal calendar.
Private employers
Depends on employer policy
Private workplaces decide whether to close or operate normally.
Local naming
May differ from the federal name
Many places use Indigenous Peoples' Day locally on the same date.
What Is Closed on Columbus Day 2026?
Use this section for practical planning. Columbus Day can affect federal services, mail, banks, and some local schedules, while schools, state offices, and private businesses depend on local policy.
Federal offices
Generally closed
Non-essential federal offices follow the federal holiday schedule.
USPS and mail
No regular mail delivery
Post offices are closed and regular USPS mail service does not run.
Banks
Most branches closed
Federal Reserve Banks close; ATMs and online banking usually remain available.
Markets
Mixed schedule
Bond markets usually close, while major U.S. stock exchanges are generally open.
Schools
Check the district calendar
School closures vary by state, city, and local school district.
Private businesses
Employer policy applies
Many workplaces remain open unless the employer lists it as a paid day off.
Columbus Day Weekend 2026
For most planning purposes, Columbus Day weekend runs from Saturday, October 10 through Monday, October 12. Use the range for travel, school, office, and service checks, but verify local schedules before relying on a closure.
Saturday, October 10
Weekend begins
The three-day range starts for people whose schedules include Monday off.
Sunday, October 11
Weekend continues
Sunday sits between the regular weekend and the Monday observance.
Monday, October 12
Federal holiday date
The Monday date is the key planning day for federal services and many banks.
Planning boundary: this page does not list local parades, museum events, school-board decisions, travel deals, or city-specific Indigenous Peoples' Day programs.
Add Columbus Day 2026 to Your Calendar
Download a single-date ICS file for the October 12 holiday. The file is designed for Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and other apps that support ICS files.
File title
October 12 ICS file
Date included
Monday, October 12, 2026
File scope
Single U.S. federal holiday
Supported apps
Google, Apple, Outlook, ICS apps
File note: this download includes only Columbus Day 2026. It does not include Indigenous Peoples' Day, other October observances, or the full U.S. holiday calendar.
The official federal holiday name remains Columbus Day, but many states, cities, schools, and organizations use Indigenous Peoples' Day on the same October Monday. This difference is why local calendars may not all show the same label.
Federal name
Columbus Day
Federal holiday schedules and many official federal references use Columbus Day.
Local name
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Many local calendars use this name to recognize Native American histories and communities.
User action
Check the calendar that affects you
Use your school, employer, city, bank, or state calendar for the schedule that applies.
What Columbus Day Commemorates
Columbus Day has historically commemorated Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. In parts of the United States, it has also been associated with Italian-American heritage celebrations. Modern observance varies because many communities now use the date to recognize Indigenous peoples instead.
Historical date
October 12, 1492
The date is commonly tied to Columbus's first landing in the Americas.
Heritage context
Italian-American celebrations
Some cities and communities mark the day with heritage-focused observances.
Current context
Local meaning may differ
The same date can carry different public meanings depending on the community.
Columbus Day Future Dates
Columbus Day follows the second Monday in October rule. That means the date changes each year, but the day of the week remains Monday.
Year
Columbus Day date
Day of week
Rule note
2026
October 12, 2026
Monday
Second Monday in October
2027
October 11, 2027
Monday
Second Monday in October
2028
October 9, 2028
Monday
Second Monday in October
2029
October 8, 2029
Monday
Second Monday in October
2030
October 14, 2030
Monday
Second Monday in October
Columbus Day 2026 FAQ
When is Columbus Day 2026?
It is on Monday, October 12, 2026 in the United States.
Is Columbus Day 2026 a federal holiday?
Yes. It is listed as a U.S. federal holiday under the federal holiday name Columbus Day.
Is Columbus Day always on a Monday?
In the United States, the federal observance follows the second Monday in October rule.
Are banks closed on Columbus Day 2026?
Most bank branches close because Federal Reserve Banks observe the holiday, but online banking and ATMs usually remain available.
Is there mail on Columbus Day 2026?
Regular USPS mail delivery is not expected because post offices are closed for the holiday.
Are schools closed on Columbus Day 2026?
School schedules vary by state and district. Check the district calendar for the schedule that applies.
Is Columbus Day the same as Indigenous Peoples' Day?
They can fall on the same date, but local calendars may use one name, the other, or both.
Can I add Columbus Day 2026 to my calendar?
Yes. Use the single-date ICS file on this page to add the October 12 event to a compatible calendar app.
Related U.S. Federal Holidays
Browse the 2026 U.S. federal holidays. Holidays with completed detail pages are linked for deeper date, status, and calendar information.
Used for post office and regular mail delivery context.
Update note: the federal holiday date is stable, but school, employer, city, state, bank-branch, and local observance schedules should be checked with the relevant provider before making time-sensitive plans.
