Is Today a Federal Holiday? Check Today’s Status & Upcoming U.S. Observances (Updated Oct 12 2026)

Yes—today, Monday, October 12 2026, is a federal holiday. The United States marks the second Monday of October as Columbus Day, also celebrated nationwide as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Because the date falls on the federal calendar, most government operations pause, and many everyday services run on a different schedule or close entirely. What’s closed • Government offices: Federal, state, and most local agencies, including Social Security offices and DMV branches, are closed for the day. • Courts: Federal courts are shut, and many state courts follow suit. • Post Office: All USPS retail counters are closed, and there is no regular residential or business mail delivery. Only Priority Mail Express continues as usual. • Banks: The majority of brick-and-mortar banks close in observance of the Federal Reserve holiday schedule; ATMs and mobile apps remain available. • Schools: Many K-12 public schools and some colleges schedule a fall break, but policies vary by district—check local calendars. What’s open • Stock markets: The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq keep regular trading hours; U.S. bond markets, however, are closed in observance of the holiday. • Retail and grocery: Major chains such as Walmart, Target, and Kroger operate normal or near-normal hours. • Restaurants and delivery apps: Most remain open but may run holiday promotions or abbreviated hours. • Package carriers: UPS and FedEx pick up and deliver as scheduled, although some local stores may modify hours. • Public transit: Buses, subways, and commuter rail typically follow a reduced “Saturday” or “holiday” timetable—verify with your local agency. Why the name varies A growing number of cities and states officially rebrand the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor Native American cultures and histories. Federal law still designates the holiday as Columbus Day, so you may see both names used interchangeably on official notices and community events. Tips for today • Mail time-sensitive documents tomorrow to avoid delays. • Confirm bank-deposit cutoff times on mobile apps if you need same-day processing. • Expect lighter morning traffic but potentially busy shopping centers because many people have the day off. Looking ahead The next federal holiday is Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11. Plan early if you have time-sensitive business, because government services will pause again then. Bottom line: If you need to visit a government office, bank branch, or post office, wait until tomorrow. For shopping, dining, and stock trading, it’s business as usual.