Columbus Day 2026: What’s Open, Closed, and What It Means for Military

What Is Columbus Day 2026?

Columbus Day 2026 is a federal holiday observed on Monday, October 12, 2026. It is one of 11 federal holidays recognized by the U.S. government, according to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). All non-essential federal offices are closed, federal employees receive a paid day off, and the U.S. Postal Service suspends regular mail delivery. It is also observed as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 17 states plus the District of Columbia. The holiday commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.

Quick Facts

When Is Columbus Day 2026?

Columbus Day 2026 is Monday, October 12. Columbus Day is always observed on the second Monday of October, a schedule established when Congress moved the holiday from its traditional October 12 date in 1971. In 2026, the second Monday of October falls on the 12th, aligning the observed date with the traditional anniversary of Columbus’s landing.

Columbus Day Dates: 2025–2030

Is Columbus Day a Federal Holiday in 2026?

Yes. Columbus Day is a federal holiday in 2026 under 5 U.S.C. § 6103, which establishes the legal public holidays for federal employees. President Trump issued an executive order protecting Columbus Day as a national holiday and proclaimed October 12, 2026, as Columbus Day, denouncing efforts to replace it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

What This Means

• Federal employees receive a paid day off. Non-essential federal offices are closed.

• Federal courts are closed, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

• The U.S. Postal Service observes the holiday—no regular mail delivery and post offices are closed for retail transactions.

• Most banks are closed because the Federal Reserve observes the holiday. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, PNC, Truist, and Capital One branches are closed.

• The stock market remains open. NYSE and Nasdaq trade normally on Columbus Day.

What Stays Open

• Stock markets (NYSE, Nasdaq)

• Most retail stores, restaurants, and grocery stores

• Convenience stores and gas stations

• Some pharmacies (call ahead to confirm hours)

• Many municipal and county offices (varies by location)

Columbus Day and Military Pay: What Service Members Need to Know

Columbus Day does not change military pay. Service members receive their regular pay based on rank and time in service—there is no extra holiday pay for working on Columbus Day. Military pay is deposited on the 1st and 15th of each month (or the preceding business day if those dates fall on a weekend or holiday). Since Columbus Day falls on October 12, it does not affect the October 15 mid-month pay date unless it falls on a weekend.

Military Considerations

• Duty schedule: Service members do not automatically get Columbus Day off. Commanders may authorize a 72-hour or 96-hour special liberty period over the holiday weekend.

• Military family services: Many Military & Family Readiness Centers and base services are closed on Columbus Day. Wright-Patterson AFB’s Military & Family Readiness Center is closed on Columbus Day 2026.

• Commissaries: Some base commissaries remain open on Columbus Day. Dover AFB’s commissary is open 0900–1700 on October 12, 2026. Hours vary by installation—verify with your local commissary.

• Base medical services: Outpatient services at base medical facilities may be reduced. Fort Campbell’s Blanchfield Army Community Hospital operates on a holiday schedule on Columbus Day.

What Service Members Should Do Next

• Check with your chain of command for the holiday duty schedule.

• Verify your base commissary, exchange, and medical clinic hours before October 12.

• If Columbus Day falls on a scheduled payday, expect the deposit on the preceding business day.

• Review your LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) to confirm your pay is correct.

VA Offices and Veterans Benefits on Columbus Day 2026

VA regional offices, VA medical centers, and VA benefits offices are closed on Columbus Day 2026. The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims observes Columbus Day as a legal public holiday and is closed. Veterans cannot schedule appointments, file claims in person, or reach VA representatives by phone on October 12.

What Veterans Should Know

• VA disability compensation payments: Columbus Day does not affect VA disability payment dates. VA benefits are paid on the first business day of each month. The October 2026 VA disability payment was deposited on October 1, 2026.

• VA healthcare appointments: Scheduled appointments at VA medical centers on Columbus Day may be rescheduled. Check with your local VA facility.

• VA claim processing: Claims submitted online through VA.gov are received and timestamped, but processing does not begin until the next business day.

• Emergency care: VA emergency rooms remain open 24/7. Veterans with emergencies should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 988 (press 1).

What Veterans Should Do Next

• Submit any time-sensitive claims or documents before October 10 to ensure they are timestamped in October.

• Use VA.gov to file claims online—the system accepts submissions 24/7, including holidays.

• If you have an Intent to File expiring near Columbus Day, submit it before October 12.

Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples’ Day: What’s the Difference?

Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day are observed on the same date—the second Monday of October—but recognize different histories. Columbus Day honors Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage. Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors Native American history, culture, and contributions. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not a federal holiday, but it is officially recognized by 17 states plus the District of Columbia and more than 220 cities.

States That Recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day

States That Still Observe Columbus Day Only

The following states observe Columbus Day as a standalone paid holiday: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and West Virginia.

States That Share Both

Five states—Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island—observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a paid holiday alongside Columbus Day. Alabama also observes American Indian Heritage Day on the same date.

Why This Matters for Veterans

If you are stationed in or live in a state that has replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, state offices may still be closed on the second Monday of October. Check your state’s official calendar for local closures and observances.

What’s Open and Closed on Columbus Day 2026

Most federal offices, post offices, banks, and schools are closed on Columbus Day 2026. Retail stores, restaurants, and the stock market remain open.

Closed on Columbus Day

Open on Columbus Day

History of Columbus Day

Columbus Day was established by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892 in response to the lynching of 11 Italian Americans in New Orleans in 1891. The holiday was created as a gesture of goodwill toward Italian Americans and became a federal holiday in 1971. The first recorded celebration of Columbus Day in the United States took place in 1792, marking the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival.

Key Dates in Columbus Day History

Common Questions

1. Is Columbus Day a federal holiday in 2026?

Yes. Columbus Day is one of 11 federal holidays in 2026, observed on Monday, October 12. Under 5 U.S.C. § 6103, non-essential federal offices are closed, and federal employees receive a paid day off. The U.S. Postal Service suspends regular mail delivery. The holiday is recognized by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

2. Do military members get Columbus Day off?

No. Military members do not automatically receive Columbus Day off. There is no extra holiday pay for working on Columbus Day. Commanders may authorize a 72-hour or 96-hour special liberty period over the holiday weekend, but this varies by unit and mission requirements. Check with your chain of command.

3. Are VA offices closed on Columbus Day 2026?

Yes. VA regional offices, VA medical centers, and VA benefits offices are closed on Columbus Day. The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims also observes the holiday. VA emergency rooms remain open 24/7. The Veterans Crisis Line is available at 988 (press 1).

4. Will I get my VA disability payment on Columbus Day?

No. VA disability payments are deposited on the first business day of each month. The October 2026 payment was deposited on October 1, 2026. Columbus Day falls on October 12, which is not a VA payment date. The November payment will be deposited on November 2, 2026.

5. Do banks close on Columbus Day?

Yes. Most banks are closed because the Federal Reserve observes Columbus Day. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, PNC, Truist, and Capital One branches are closed. However, the stock market remains open, and online banking services are available.

6. Is the stock market open on Columbus Day?

Yes. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq operate normally on Columbus Day. Columbus Day is not a stock market holiday. Bond markets also remain open, though some may have early closings.

7. Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day a federal holiday?

No. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not a federal holiday. It is officially recognized by 17 states plus the District of Columbia and more than 220 cities. It is observed on the same date as Columbus Day—the second Monday of October—but does not replace the federal Columbus Day holiday.

8. Do I get holiday pay if I work on Columbus Day as a federal employee?

Federal employees who are required to work on Columbus Day may be entitled to holiday premium pay. Under 5 U.S.C. § 5546, employees who work on a holiday receive their regular rate plus premium pay. Check with your agency’s human resources office for specific rules.

9. Is mail delivered on Columbus Day?

No. The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail or packages on Columbus Day. Post offices are closed for retail transactions. Some Priority Mail Express service may still operate. Regular mail delivery resumes on Tuesday, October 13.

10. Which states do not observe Columbus Day?

Hawaii, Oregon, and South Dakota do not observe Columbus Day. South Dakota celebrates Native American Day instead. Delaware stopped observing Columbus Day in 2009 and gives state workers a floating holiday. Alaska and Maine have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

11. Does Columbus Day affect military pay dates?

No. Military pay is deposited on the 1st and 15th of each month. If a payday falls on a weekend or holiday, the deposit occurs on the preceding business day. Columbus Day falls on October 12, which does not conflict with the October 15 mid-month pay date unless October 15 falls on a weekend.

12. What VA benefits are available on Columbus Day?

VA emergency rooms and the Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) are available 24/7. All other VA services—including claim processing, appointments, and benefit inquiries—are unavailable on Columbus Day. Veterans can file claims online at VA.gov, but processing begins on the next business day.

Key Takeaways

• Columbus Day 2026 is Monday, October 12. It is one of 11 federal holidays in 2026.

• Federal offices, federal courts, post offices, and most banks are closed. The stock market remains open.

• Military members do not receive extra holiday pay for Columbus Day. Regular duty schedules apply unless commanders authorize special liberty.

• VA regional offices and benefit offices are closed, but VA emergency rooms and the Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) remain available 24/7.

• VA disability payments are not affected by Columbus Day. October payments were deposited on October 1.

• Columbus Day was established in 1892 and became a federal holiday in 1971.

• Indigenous Peoples’ Day is observed on the same date in 17 states and D.C. but is not a federal holiday.

• President Trump issued an executive order in 2026 protecting Columbus Day as a national holiday.

• 22 states observe Columbus Day as a state holiday. Hawaii, Oregon, and South Dakota do not observe it.

• Veterans and military families should verify base service hours, commissary hours, and VA clinic schedules before October 12.

Official Resources

• OPM Federal Holidays: opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays

• VA.gov Veterans Benefits: va.gov

• VA Disability Compensation Rates: va.gov/disability/compensation-rates

• U.S. Postal Service Holiday Schedule: usps.com

• U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: uscavc.gov

• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1

• USA.gov Veterans Benefits: usa.gov/veterans-benefits

• Congress.gov (5 U.S.C. § 6103): uscode.house.gov