Quick answer
Yes, Columbus Day is a U.S. federal holiday. In 2026, it falls on Monday, 12 October 2026. Federal law designates Columbus Day as a legal public holiday observed on the second Monday in October.
Some states, cities and other organizations use another name, including Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or follow different local observance policies. That does not change the federal holiday designation.
What this means
Columbus Day is one of the legal public holidays in the federal holiday calendar. In 2026, the federal holiday falls on Monday, 12 October.
For federal employees and federal offices, the date is part of the official federal holiday calendar. However, being a federal holiday does not mean every employer, school, business or local government must close.
The main distinctions are:
- Federal offices generally observe the federal holiday.
- Private employers decide whether Columbus Day is a paid holiday or a normal working day.
- States and cities may use a different name or follow different observance policies.
- Schools and universities follow their own academic and local calendars.
- Banks and other businesses set their own customer-opening arrangements, although Federal Reserve services observe the holiday.
The official federal statutory name remains Columbus Day. Local governments and other organizations may refer to the same date as Indigenous Peoples’ Day or use another designation.
Common scenarios
Your employer lists Columbus Day. Check your workplace policy to see whether this means a full paid holiday, a floating holiday, reduced staffing or another arrangement.
Your area observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day. A state or local government may use a different name for 12 October 2026. Its local offices, schools and services may follow their own observance rules even though the federal holiday is officially designated Columbus Day.
You have a federal appointment. Federal offices generally observe Columbus Day, so check the relevant agency before planning an in-person visit or relying on a response that day.
You have banking to do. Federal Reserve services observe Columbus Day, and many bank branches may close. Check your bank if you need an in-person service or a time-sensitive transaction.
You are arranging a short break. Columbus Day falls on Monday, 12 October 2026, creating a three-day weekend for workers whose employers observe it. Private employers are not generally required to provide the day off, so confirm your workplace policy before booking leave or travel.
You can find more planning explainers in the US section of the Offdays blog.
How to plan this in Offdays
Set up 12 October 2026 for the employees and locations where Columbus Day is observed. Avoid assuming every employee receives the day off, particularly across a distributed workforce where employer and local practices can vary.
Ask managers to clarify their operating plan: closed, reduced service, normal service or on-call coverage. Employees can then enter leave around the date without double-counting a company holiday as annual leave.
Use the team view to spot where a long weekend could leave too few people available. If cover is needed, agree it before leave is approved and record the arrangement alongside the absence plan.
Final thoughts
Columbus Day is a U.S. federal holiday and falls on Monday, 12 October 2026. Its official federal name is Columbus Day, although states, cities and other organizations may use a different name or observe the date differently. Check your employer or local calendar before assuming you have the day off.