Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on the second Monday of October. In 2025, this date falls on October 13. The holiday commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492, marking a key moment in world history. Columbus Day has been officially recognized as a federal holiday since 1937, following efforts by the National Columbus Day Committee founded in 1966. Traditionally, the day is marked by parades, especially in cities with large Italian-American communities, such as New York City and San Francisco. Celebrations focus on honoring the historical figure of Columbus and highlighting Italian-American heritage. However, the day coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the United States Navy (October 13, 1775), and the Navy and Marine Corps hold observances involving liberty periods on this occasion. While the holiday is federally recognized, its observance varies regionally, with some states and municipalities opting instead to commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor Native American history and culture.
Columbus Day as a federal holiday: Government and postal operations
Columbus Day is one of the eleven officially recognized federal holidays in the United States, observed annually on the second Monday of October. In 2025, this holiday falls on October 13. As a federal holiday, Columbus Day mandates the closure of all non-essential federal government offices nationwide. Consequently, federal employees receive a paid day off, reflecting the day’s status as a recognized national observance. The closure of federal institutions aligns with standardized public sector protocols applied across all designated federal holidays, ensuring uniform nationwide observance.
Among the most visible closures on Columbus Day is that of the United States Postal Service (USPS). On October 13, 2025, USPS retail kiosks, post offices, and distribution centers will be closed entirely. No mail deliveries or package shipments will take place on this date. These suspensions disrupt normal postal operations, requiring individuals and businesses reliant on USPS services to adjust mailing and delivery schedules ahead of the holiday. The federal closure of postal services is consistent with past holiday practices, reinforcing Columbus Day’s established role in the federal calendar. Alongside USPS, many governmental agencies—including the Social Security Administration and other department offices—will observe the shutdown, offering a paid day off to millions of federal workers.
State-level recognition of Columbus Day exhibits considerable variation across the United States. While many states formally declare Columbus Day a state holiday and close state government offices, several states opt to observe it as a day of acknowledgment without closing offices or altering work schedules. Further complicating observance patterns, certain states and municipalities have adopted alternative or additional celebrations such as Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Day on the same date. These dual observances highlight evolving cultural and political perspectives on Columbus Day’s historical legacy and meaning. For example, states like South Dakota, Minnesota, and Alaska recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day exclusively, while others observe both. This emergent trend reflects growing awareness and discourse concerning Native American history, sovereignty, and identity.
The federal closure on Columbus Day extends beyond government offices and postal services to impact various public services and institutions. For example, federal courts generally do not hold sessions on Columbus Day, delaying legal proceedings and filings. National parks and museums operated by federal agencies may also function on a limited or adjusted schedule, with many observing the holiday as a closure day. Similarly, licensing and regulatory agencies connected to federal governance are typically non-operational. While these closures create temporary disruptions, they reflect customary respect for designated federal observances and provide a scheduled, compensated reprieve for public servants.
In parallel to federal government actions, the financial sector respects Columbus Day as a bank holiday. Major banks across the country, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and JPMorgan Chase, close their branches on Columbus Day. This closure pertains to both commercial and retail banking services, significantly limiting access to in-person assistance and certain financial transactions. Back-office banking operations, critical to transaction processing and clearing, are suspended within these institutions. The Federal Reserve System also observes the holiday with a comprehensive closure of Federal Reserve Banks, including the New York Fed. This closure results in the suspension of national clearinghouse operations, impacting check processing, wire transfers, and interbank settlements on the holiday, thus affecting financial market liquidity.
Accordingly, the U.S. stock market does not open for trading on Columbus Day. Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ halt operations, providing a rare trading blackout. The closure influences investors, traders, and financial professionals who rely on active markets for portfolio management and corporate funding activities. While cybersecurity and algorithmic trading mechanisms continue functioning, no formal market transactions occur. Private courier companies, such as FedEx and UPS, typically adapt by scaling back some delivery operations, although not uniformly, meaning logistical delays and altered shipping patterns should be anticipated by businesses and individuals during the holiday.
Columbus Day’s status as a federal holiday reflects a longstanding national tradition dating back to the late 1930s. Despite its establishment as a day commemorating Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492, the holiday remains controversial. Many criticize the observance due to historical consequences experienced by indigenous peoples following European colonization. This criticism has fueled the adoption of Indigenous Peoples’ Day or similar observances in numerous jurisdictions, providing a counter-narrative that honors Native American heritage and acknowledges historical injustices. The coexistence of different observances on October’s second Monday illustrates America’s evolving recognition of its diverse historical narratives and cultural identities.
Columbus Day as a federal holiday in 2025 mandates the closure of all non-essential federal government offices and suspends postal operations nationwide. State-level observance varies, with some states recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in tandem or exclusively. The holiday significantly impacts public services, financial institutions, and stock market operations, which cease on October 13, 2025. This coordinated closure aligns with federal holiday protocols designed to honor historical commemoration while offering a national day of rest for government employees. As societal perspectives evolve, hybrid observances are becoming more common, reflecting broader conversations about American history and cultural inclusivity.
Impact on banks and financial institutions on Columbus Day 2025
Columbus Day is generally regarded as a bank holiday in the United States. Nearly all major banks, including Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citibank, close their branches on this holiday to observe the federal mandate. This means that branch services, including teller operations and mortgage processing, are unavailable on October 13, 2025. In addition to physical bank branches, back-office bank functions pause, which can impact processing times for transactions submitted on or just before the holiday. Customers planning large or time-sensitive financial activities should account for this closure to avoid delays.
The Federal Reserve System also observes Columbus Day by closing all Federal Reserve Banks and the Federal Reserve Board. As a result, the U.S. stock markets—namely the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq—do not open for trading on Columbus Day. The market closure affects all listed equities and indexes, halting electronic trading and clearing activities for the day. Alternative financial services, such as FedEx or UPS, may continue operations, but delivery schedules can be affected, and some local businesses might reduce hours in observance. Awareness of these closures is crucial for individual investors, traders, and business professionals to plan accordingly and mitigate transactional risk.
Differentiating Columbus Day from indigenous peoples’ day
In recent years, Indigenous Peoples’ Day has emerged as an alternative or complementary observance to Columbus Day, gaining recognition and adoption across numerous cities and states. Unlike Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day focuses on honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American peoples and serves as a response to the criticism of Columbus’ legacy regarding indigenous displacement and suffering. Although widely recognized at local and state levels, Indigenous Peoples’ Day remains unrecognized as an official federal holiday as of 2025. Both days are observed on the same calendar date—the second Monday in October—with Indigenous Peoples’ Day intended to foster awareness about indigenous rights and historical injustices.
The dual observance explains the varying state and municipal approaches to October 13, 2025, with some areas officially celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of or alongside Columbus Day. This evolving holiday landscape reflects broader societal discussions about inclusivity, historical narratives, and cultural recognition within the United States. The coexistence of the two observances underscores an ongoing dialogue about American identity and history, influencing public events, education, and official proclamations.
Practical tips for observers and businesses on Columbus Day 2025
Individuals and businesses should plan ahead for the impacts of Columbus Day as a federal holiday on October 13, 2025. Banks and federal agencies will be closed, and stock markets will not trade, necessitating adjustments for financial planning, payroll, payments, and investments. Mail and package delivery by USPS will pause, although private couriers such as FedEx and UPS may operate with some modified schedules. Many retail businesses will remain open, but reduced staffing or hours of operation may occur.
Workers designated as federal employees receive the day off with pay, while private-sector eligibility for holiday pay varies by employer. Parents and students should verify school schedules, as many public schools observe Columbus Day, but private institutions may not. Additionally, residents interested in attending or observing parades, cultural events, or Indigenous Peoples’ Day observances should confirm local programming, as participation opportunities differ geographically.
By understanding the scope and implications of Columbus Day 2025, individuals and organizations can navigate the day effectively, honoring the holiday’s historical significance while accommodating its practical considerations.