Columbus Day 2026: Banks Closed, Markets Open — What's Open and Closed Today

Columbus Day 2026: Banks Closed, Markets Open — What's Open and Closed Today

It's Monday, October 12 — Columbus Day, a U.S. federal holiday. Federal offices and courts are closed, and federal employees get a paid day off. But Wall Street is trading normally, and most big-box stores and supermarkets are open for business. In many states and cities, the same date is also observed as Indigenous Peoples' Day.

A Federal Holiday — But Not Every State Treats It the Same

Columbus Day is one of 11 federal holidays recognized by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, commemorating Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. It became a federal observance in 1937 and was later fixed to the second Monday of October, creating a three-day weekend.

The federal day off doesn't apply everywhere down the chain: only 22 states observe Columbus Day as a paid state holiday in 2026. State and local offices, including DMVs, open or close according to local policy — check before you go.

Banks and Post Offices Shut, ATMs and Apps Unaffected

Because it's also a Federal Reserve holiday, most bank branches are closed: Bank of America and Wells Fargo branches shut their doors, and most Chase locations are closed, though some maintain limited hours. TD Bank said its branches would be open, referring to the holiday as Indigenous Peoples' Day. ATMs, mobile apps, and online banking work normally.

The U.S. Postal Service suspends regular mail delivery, and post office counters are closed, with some Priority Mail Express service still running. Private carriers keep moving: UPS runs normal pickup and delivery, while FedEx operates a modified holiday schedule in some areas.

Stocks Trade Normally, Bonds Rest, Some Settlements Wait

Wall Street doesn't take the day off: the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq keep regular hours. Bond markets and over-the-counter trading are closed for the holiday.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange stays open with restrictions — because banks are closed, some cash transfers, collateral transactions, and margin payments can't be processed until the next day. ICE futures trade mostly as normal, except canola contracts. Abroad, the Toronto exchange is closed for Canadian Thanksgiving, while Shanghai, Hong Kong, Paris, and London are open.

Retail and Restaurants Open; Schools Depend on the District

Daily life barely pauses: Walmart, Target, Costco, and Sam's Club stay open, as do Kroger, Safeway, CVS, and Walgreens. Restaurants welcome diners as usual.

Schools are the most local variable. Many public districts close — especially in states recognizing Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day — while others stay open, and private schools set their own calendars. Parents should check with their school directly.

The Other Observance on the Same Date

A growing number of communities observe Indigenous Peoples' Day on the same date, honoring Native American history, culture, and contributions. Some jurisdictions observe both; others replaced Columbus Day outright. Nevada goes its own way: it celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day on August 9, after the governor vetoed a proposal to set it on the second Monday of October.

Whatever the name, three things to remember today: federal offices and post offices are closed, most bank branches are shut, and markets and stores run normally. Local hours may vary — a quick check before heading out saves a wasted trip.