Few federal holidays create as much confusion as Columbus Day. Even though it lands on the second Monday of October every year, the practical impact — from mail delivery and bank hours to school schedules — depends entirely on where you live. For 2026, Columbus Day falls on October 12, but whether you get the day off depends on a patchwork of state and local policies. Let’s sort out the dates, closures, and the holiday’s shifting identity.

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Observed date in 2026: Monday, October 12 ·
Federal holiday status: Federal holiday ·
Number of states recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day: 20+ ·
Year Columbus Day became a federal holiday: 1934 ·
State with special observance in Texas: Not a state holiday in Texas

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 1492: Columbus arrives in the Americas (OPM federal holiday history)
  • 1792: First known U.S. celebration (OPM federal holiday history)
  • 1934: Becomes federal holiday (OPM federal holiday history)
  • 1971: Second Monday fixed by Uniform Holiday Act (OPM federal holiday history)
  • 2021: Biden recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day alongside Columbus Day (White House proclamation)
4What’s next

The table below distills five key facts about Columbus Day, from its fixed date formula to the growing divide between federal recognition and state-level observance.

Fact Value
Date in 2026 Monday, October 12
Date in 2027 Monday, October 11
Federal holiday? Yes
Texas state holiday? No
Also called Indigenous Peoples’ Day (in many states)

When is Columbus Day 2026?

Columbus Day date formula

  • Columbus Day falls on the second Monday of October every year, as established by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971 (OPM holiday schedule).
  • This means the date always moves between October 12 and October 18 (Time and Date calendar).
  • For 2026, the calendar lines up so that the second Monday is October 12 (AARP holiday calendar).

Columbus Day 2027 date

  • In 2027, the second Monday of October falls on October 11 (OPM holiday schedule).

The implication: Columbus Day drifts within a narrow window, but the second-Monday rule makes it predictable for employers and schools planning annual calendars.

Is Columbus Day a federal holiday?

Who gets off on Columbus Day?