Columbus Day 2025: What’s Open, What’s Closed, and Why the Holiday Sparks Debate

Columbus Day 2025 falls on Monday, October 13, and, as one of the 11 federal holidays in the United States, it will bring a mix of government closures, retail promotions and renewed discussion about the legacy of the explorer whose name it bears. Many states and cities now observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the same date, honoring Native communities and histories, so travelers and shoppers should double-check local calendars before making plans. What’s closed and what’s open • Federal offices, post offices and most banks will be closed. The U.S. Postal Service will not deliver regular mail. UPS and FedEx will operate with modified schedules. • The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will trade on normal hours, but the bond market closes at 2 p.m. ET. • Public schools vary by district: Boston, New York City and Los Angeles remain open, while many smaller districts take the day off. • Driver-licensing centers and local courts usually follow state policy; check your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles for specifics. • National parks stay open, and autumn foliage in New England and the Great Lakes region is near peak, making the long weekend popular for road trips as well as Indigenous cultural events. Retailers and travel deals Major retailers—from Amazon and Walmart to Home Depot—launch “Early Black Friday” or “Fall Savings” sales over the three-day weekend. Airfare analysts at Hopper list Columbus Day weekend among the cheapest fall windows for domestic flights, with price drops averaging 18 % compared with early September. Car-rental rates often rise 10–15 %, so booking early is wise. Parades and events • New York City hosts the nation’s largest Columbus Day Parade along Fifth Avenue, drawing more than 35,000 marchers, floats and marching bands. • In contrast, cities such as Seattle, Minneapolis and Denver mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day with sunrise ceremonies, powwows, art markets and panel discussions on decolonizing education. • The Italian-American community in San Francisco will stage its 157th annual Columbus Day Italian Heritage Parade in North Beach, celebrating Mediterranean music, food and sailing culture. Expect heavier traffic around parade routes; public transit agencies in New York and San Francisco will run additional service during peak hours. Why the name matters First proclaimed a federal holiday in 1937, Columbus Day honored Italian explorer Christopher Columbus and, by extension, Italian-American heritage. In 1992, Berkeley, Calif., became the first U.S. city to replace it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, spotlighting the consequences of European colonization. Today, 28 states and more than 160 cities—from Maine to Oregon—have officially adopted the new designation. Travel tips for the long weekend 1. Book lodging early: Hotel occupancy in Boston, Chicago and Albuquerque (site of the massive International Balloon Fiesta ending Oct. 12) routinely tops 90 % over the holiday. 2. Watch for dynamic tolling: The Ohio Turnpike and New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway raise peak-hour tolls when traffic surges. 3. Pack layers: Average highs range from 55 °F in Minneapolis to 78 °F in Miami; evenings can be chilly nationwide. 4. Cultural etiquette: If attending Indigenous celebrations, ask before photographing dancers or sacred objects, and consider donating to local tribal organizations. Bottom line Whether you plan to take advantage of federal office closures, score early holiday discounts or join an Indigenous Peoples’ Day sunrise run, Columbus Day 2025 delivers a rare October break. Confirm your local schedule, reserve travel now and embrace the chance to learn, shop or simply unwind during one of fall’s last warm weekends.