Do People Work on Columbus Day? A Complete Look at the 2025 Holiday Schedule Across the U.S.

Every year, Americans pause on the second Monday of October to observe Columbus Day, a holiday with a long history and evolving significance. This year, the holiday falls on Monday, October 13, 2025, and the question many people are asking is straightforward: do people work on Columbus Day?

The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether someone works or has the day off depends on their job sector, state policies, local observances, and employer practices. Columbus Day is a federal holiday, but it’s not universally observed across all states and industries. Some workers get a paid holiday, others continue their normal schedules, and some may even experience modified hours or special events.

Below is a detailed, factual breakdown of who works, who doesn’t, and how the 2025 holiday plays out across federal offices, state agencies, private businesses, schools, banks, and more.

Federal Employees: A Guaranteed Day Off

For federal employees, Columbus Day remains one of the 11 official federal holidays in the United States. That means:

• Federal government offices—including the U.S. Postal Service, IRS, and Social Security Administration—will be closed.
• Post offices will not deliver regular mail on October 13, though Priority Mail Express services continue to run.
• Federal courts and administrative agencies will be closed for the day.

This practice has been consistent since Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937. Federal employees enjoy a paid holiday, and agencies plan for closures well in advance. For many government workers, it’s one of the few three-day weekends of the fall season.

State Governments: A Patchwork of Policies

While Columbus Day is a federal holiday, not every state observes it the same way. State governments have the power to decide whether to close offices and grant public employees a paid holiday.

• States that observe Columbus Day fully, such as New York and Massachusetts, will close state offices, courts, and DMVs.
• States that have shifted to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, including California, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont, will either close offices under the new holiday name or operate as usual, depending on their policies.
• Some states like South Dakota officially observe Native American Day instead, meaning most state offices remain open and public services continue uninterrupted.
• In Hawaii and Alaska, Columbus Day is not recognized as a state holiday, so state offices will stay open.

This state-level variation means that a resident of New York may have the day off, while someone in Texas or Hawaii might find all government services operating as usual.

Local Governments: Varying City by City

Local government observances often reflect community identity and local policy decisions. Cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles have emphasized Indigenous Peoples’ Day in recent years, hosting cultural events, parades, or community gatherings.

However, most municipal services—such as sanitation, emergency services, and law enforcement—continue to operate normally. Some cities may adjust trash collection or public works schedules, running on holiday or delayed timetables.

Local courts may or may not close depending on the jurisdiction. In larger cities, limited court operations may continue for urgent matters, while smaller municipalities often close their offices entirely.

Banks and Financial Institutions: A Federal Reserve Holiday

Columbus Day is a bank holiday because it’s observed by the Federal Reserve. This means:

• Federal Reserve Banks and their branches will be closed on October 13, 2025.
• Most major commercial banks—including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citibank—will close physical branches.
• Online banking and ATMs will remain available for deposits, withdrawals, and transfers. However, payments or wire transfers scheduled for Columbus Day will typically process the following business day.

One key difference: the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ stay open on Columbus Day. Trading operates on a regular schedule. This is why some financial employees, particularly those in investment firms, do work on Columbus Day, even while retail banks are closed.

Schools and Universities: Mixed Schedules Nationwide

The education sector shows some of the greatest variation in holiday observance.

• In states that officially recognize Columbus Day, most public schools close, giving students and teachers the day off.
• In states that celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, schools may remain open but dedicate the day to cultural and historical education. For example, California schools often host assemblies, classroom discussions, or community projects focused on Indigenous history.
• Some school districts use the holiday as a teacher in-service or professional development day, meaning students stay home but staff report for work.
• Private schools set their own calendars. Many follow federal or state holidays, but some operate on regular schedules, especially if they already offer other fall breaks.
• Colleges and universities typically remain open unless they are in states with strong observances. Students may see reduced administrative office hours, but classes generally proceed as scheduled.

For example:

• New York City public schools will be closed.
• Boston Public Schools will also close.
• Los Angeles Unified School District remains open but observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day with educational events.

This inconsistency means parents should check school calendars carefully to plan their schedules.

Private Sector Workplaces: Business as Usual for Most

For the majority of private sector employees, Columbus Day is a regular workday. Unlike federal employees, private companies are not required by law to give the day off.

• Corporate offices may remain open, though some offer employees a floating holiday they can use if they choose.
• Retailers, restaurants, and hotels typically stay fully open, often using the day to launch Columbus Day sales or special promotions.
• Manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and healthcare providers generally operate on normal schedules, especially if they run 24/7 operations.
• Some businesses, especially smaller companies, choose to close voluntarily or offer shortened hours, but this is less common.

According to recent labor data, fewer than 15% of private sector employees receive paid time off for Columbus Day. This number has remained steady over the past several years, even as awareness of Indigenous Peoples’ Day has grown.

Retail Stores and Shopping Trends

Columbus Day has evolved into a major retail event. Many businesses use it as an opportunity to boost sales before the winter holiday season.

Common trends include:

• Large chain retailers like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s remain open and typically run holiday promotions.
• Car dealerships often advertise big “Columbus Day Sales” to attract buyers.
• Malls and outlets may extend hours to accommodate shoppers.
• Small businesses may or may not participate, depending on location and customer base.

For shoppers, Columbus Day 2025 will likely resemble past years, with a surge in retail activity and competitive deals.

Transportation and Public Services

Transportation systems usually adjust their operations for the holiday:

• Public transit in major cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston will run on reduced or holiday schedules, similar to a Sunday service.
• Airports remain fully operational, though security and staffing may run on slightly modified shifts.
• Amtrak continues its regular service, but ticket counters might have reduced hours.
• Trash collection and city maintenance services may run on delayed schedules in some municipalities, shifting pickup days forward by one.

Emergency services—including police, fire, and medical response—remain fully staffed, regardless of the holiday.

Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples’ Day: A Changing Landscape

An important part of understanding do people work on Columbus Day is recognizing the growing adoption of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

• 29 states and Washington, D.C. now observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day either alongside or in place of Columbus Day.
• Some states, like Maine and New Mexico, have officially replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day in their calendars.
• Employers operating across multiple states often standardize policies to avoid confusion, choosing to either keep operations open everywhere or offer flexible leave options.

This shift reflects broader cultural conversations and affects how workplaces, schools, and communities plan their October schedules. It’s likely that observance patterns will continue to change in the coming years.

Summary Table: What’s Open and Closed on Columbus Day 2025

Final Thoughts

So, do people work on Columbus Day? The answer depends on your job type, location, and employer policies. Federal and many state employees enjoy the day off, schools vary widely, banks close, and most private sector workers continue business as usual. As Indigenous Peoples’ Day grows in prominence, more states and employers may rethink their holiday calendars in the future.

Whether you’re enjoying a long weekend or clocking in like any other Monday, Columbus Day reflects the changing cultural and work landscape of the United States. How does your workplace handle it? Share your experience below!