ay is one of the most confusing days of the year for consumer schedules. Because it is recognized as an official federal holiday, but not uniformly celebrated by every single state, knowing exactly what is open and closed can be tricky. Here is your complete guide to the long weekend.
When is Columbus Day in 2026?
This year, the holiday falls on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Following the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, the date shifts every year so that it always lands on the second Monday in October. While officially established as a federal holiday in 1937 to commemorate Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas, a rapidly growing number of states and cities now officially observe the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Native American peoples.
What is Closed on October 12th?
Because Columbus Day remains one of the 11 officially recognized U.S. federal holidays, you can expect major closures across the financial and government sectors on Monday, October 12th.
If you need to run errands, plan around these official federal closures:
- Banks: All major banks (including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank) are CLOSED. The Federal Reserve is closed, so no regular banking transactions will process. ATMs and mobile banking will still work.
- Mail Delivery: The United States Postal Service (USPS) is CLOSED. There is no regular mail delivery. However, private carriers like UPS and FedEx will operate on a normal schedule.
- Government Offices: All non-essential federal offices, and many state government buildings (like the DMV and local courts), are CLOSED.
- The Bond Market: The U.S. Bond Market is closed, but the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will actually remain OPEN for trading.
Are Stores Open on Columbus Day?
Yes! While the government and banks shut down, the retail industry absolutely does not.
The long weekend has become a massive retail event, famous for early fall clearance sales and Columbus Day mattress events. You can expect almost all major retailers to be fully OPEN on Monday, October 12th, including:
- Walmart & Target: Open during regular business hours.
- Home Depot & Lowe’s: Open and running fall appliance sales.
- Grocery Stores: Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and Whole Foods are all open.
- Costco & Sam’s Club: Both major warehouse clubs will be fully open!
Get Ready for Spooky Season!
Once the long weekend is over, the countdown to the biggest candy-filled night of the year officially begins.
Are you trying to figure out what day of the week trick-or-treating falls on this year? Make sure you check out our complete guide to [Halloween 2026] to plan your costume parties and neighborhood routes!