Columbus Day is a federal holiday; banks close while the stock market remains open

The holiday creates a three‑day weekend for federal workers, but financial markets continue trading.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:14:43 GMT

Monday, Oct. 12, 2026 is a U.S. federal holiday, meaning federal government offices and many banks are closed, while the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will operate as usual, according to multiple outlets.

What happened

The holiday, observed on the second Monday of October, was first made a federal holiday in 1937. It coincides with the growing observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which many states and cities now recognize instead of or alongside Columbus Day.

What the reports add

Independent UK notes that Columbus Day “commemorates the maiden voyage undertaken by Christopher Columbus” and highlights criticism that the holiday “ignores the Indigenous populations already living there for centuries.”
CBS News reports that the Pew Research Center found the holiday creates a three‑day weekend for workers whose employers observe it, including federal employees.
CBS News confirms the stock market remains open, with the NYSE and Nasdaq trading from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail on Columbus Day; all post offices are closed.
Banking access varies: JPMorgan Chase will keep branches open but treats the day as a holiday for online transactions, while Wells Fargo and Bank of America will be closed.
Major retailers such as Costco and Walmart will be open during regular hours.

What was said

“The day is meant to ‘honor America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today.’” – President Joe Biden, 2021 proclamation (cited by Independent UK)

How it came about

Independent UK explains that the holiday became federal in 1937 after lobbying by Roman Catholic Italian‑American groups seeking to elevate an Italian Catholic figure in American history. The push to rename or replace the day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day began as a response to criticism of the Columbus narrative and has led many jurisdictions to adopt the new name.