Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day 2026: What Closes and What Stays Open on Oct. 12
Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, brings two names to the same federal holiday: Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day. Because the second Monday in October falls on the 12th, many Americans will treat the preceding Saturday and Sunday as the start of a three-day weekend. The practical effect, however, depends on state designations, local school calendars and which services follow the federal schedule.
A federal holiday with two names
Columbus Day 2026 is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the second Monday in October, and this year the date matches Christopher Columbus's 1492 arrival date in the Americas. Former President Joe Biden issued the first presidential proclamation for Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2021, and while Indigenous Peoples' Day is not a federal holiday, it is recognized as a holiday in some cities and states, USA TODAY reports. Official state calendars show the split: Idaho.gov lists Columbus Day as a state holiday on Monday, Oct. 12, while Tennessee's state government substitutes Columbus Day for the Friday after Thanksgiving, so its offices do not close for Columbus Day. Washington state does not recognize Columbus Day as a state holiday and keeps regular operating hours, according to Clarin.
Federal offices, mail, banks and schools
Because Oct. 12 is one of 11 federal holidays, federal offices and courthouses close. The U.S. Postal Service closes retail lobbies and does not deliver regular mail, though Priority Mail Express continues, according to WFAA. Most bank branches close because the Federal Reserve treats the day as a holiday; Bank of America and Wells Fargo are among the closures, while Chase and TD Bank remain open. UPS and FedEx locations remain open with pickup and delivery available, though some services may need extra transit time. Stock exchanges stay open with regular 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET trading, while U.S. bond markets close. Schools are set locally, with many districts closing, some opening and a few calling early release, so a district calendar is the only reliable guide.
Coffee shops and retail on the holiday
Most private retailers and restaurants are expected to stay open on Monday, including Target, Walmart, Safeway, Kroger, Walgreens and CVS, according to WFAA. For a coffee stop, a directory with local hours and ratings can help confirm whether a café is open before you go; coffee shop ratings and hours gathers that information across the U.S. Keep in mind that local transit and trash pickup may follow holiday or weekend schedules.
Scaling long-weekend recipes
A long weekend often invites a larger batch of soup, roasted vegetables or baked goods, and that may require scaling a recipe beyond its original measures. When converting between grams, cups, ounces or oven temperatures, a cooking measurement converter shows the ingredient and measuring system in view, which helps for flour, butter, sugar and other staples.
Puzzle help for a quiet Monday
If the extra day becomes a puzzle day, a stuck clue does not have to end the session. Searching by clue, answer length or known letters can suggest words that fit; crossword clue solver offers free lookups and anagram solving without sign-up.
Checking your local plans
Before planning around Oct. 12, confirm the few schedules that vary: mail will not arrive, but UPS and FedEx are running; some bank branches are open while others are not; most schools close but some do not; retail and coffee shops largely stay open. State holiday designations determine which government offices close, so a quick local check remains the most useful step for a smooth long weekend.