What’s closed on Columbus Day 2025? See schools, banks, mail delivery

Columbus Day is Monday. Though it’s a federal holiday, observation practices vary widely across the country.

The traditional Columbus Day holiday has been celebrated since 1892 — four centuries after Columbus arrived in what is now America. However, the holiday has been criticized in recent decades for Christopher Columbus’ treatment of Native Americans. In 1990, South Dakota officially recognized the day as “Native American Day.” In 1992 Berkeley, California became the first city to officially adopt “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” — 500 years after Columbus’ controversial “discovery” of America.

In 2021 Joe Biden was the first U.S. president to issue a proclamation for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, recognizing the holiday observed on the same day as Columbus Day.

In most places, Columbus Day is observed on the second Monday in October. This year, it falls on Monday, Oct. 13.

It is not a paid holiday in Texas. Unlike some states with an overlapping holiday celebrating Native Americans, the Lone Star State does not observe another holiday on Columbus Day.

In 2017, the Austin City Council voted to rename the holiday Indigenous Peoples’ Day — among over 200 U.S. cities to do so.

No; while Columbus Day is a federal holiday, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not.

In a proclamation issued last week, President Donald Trump praised Christopher Columbus as “the original American hero, a giant of Western civilization, and one of the most gallant and visionary men to ever walk the face of the earth”:

Outrageously, in recent years, Christopher Columbus has been a prime target of a vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history, slander our heroes, and attack our heritage.  Before our very eyes, left-wing radicals toppled his statues, vandalized his monuments, tarnished his character, and sought to exile him from our public spaces.  Under my leadership, those days are finally over — and our Nation will now abide by a simple truth:  Christopher Columbus was a true American hero, and every citizen is eternally indebted to his relentless determination.

Yes, most banks will be closed Monday, Oct. 13 in observance of the federal holiday. Some may be operating at reduced capacity, so check your local bank to confirm.

No, the U.S. stock markets do not close for Columbus Day; however, the U.S. bond market will be closed per the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

All USPS offices are closed for Columbus Day, and regular mail will not be delivered. Priority Mail Express, which runs 365 days a year, will continue operations.

UPS stores will be open and pickup and delivery services will operate as usual on Monday. 

FedEx Office locations will also be open, with modified services.

Students and staff in the Austin Independent School District are off for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.