Columbus Day commemorates the date when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas. In the USA it is observed on the Second Monday in October.
Though Columbus Day is one of the 10 US legal federal holidays, it is not considered a major one. There will be no postal service and while some banks may close, most businesses remain open. Retail stores may run special sales.
Definitive information on how each state observes Columbus Day is difficult to find, so the following table has been compiled. Please contact us with any corrections or extra comments to help make this list an even better resource.
Map of US States that observe Columbus Day in 2021
List of US states and the observance of Columbus Day
| State | Observes Columbus Day? |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Fraternal Day is also a state holiday on 2nd Monday in October |
| Alaska | No | Renamed as Indigenous Peoples Day in 2015 |
| Arizona | Yes | On September 4th 2020, Gov. Doug Ducey signed a proclamation also recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day on the Second Monday in October. |
| Arkansas | No | |
| California | No | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Berkley, Los Angeles City, San Luis Obispo and South Lake Tahoe. Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Italian Heritage Day in Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Sacramento. |
| Colorado | No | Replaced by Cabrini Day in 2020. |
| Connecticut | Yes | Celebrated as Italian Heritage Day in New Haven. |
| Delaware | No | Not a legal holiday |
| D.C. | No | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day |
| Florida | No | |
| Georgia | Yes | |
| Hawaii | No | Discovery Day is celebrated on the 2nd Monday in October, in recognition of the Polynesian discoverers of the Hawaiian Islands. It is not a legal state holiday |
| Idaho | Yes | |
| Illinois | Yes | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Bloomington |
| Indiana | Yes | |
| Iowa | No | |
| Kansas | No | |
| Kentucky | No | Columbus Day is a recognized state holiday, but state offices remain open. Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Louisville |
| Louisiana | No | Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on 2nd Monday in October, but it is not a legal holiday |
| Maine | Yes | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day |
| Maryland | Yes | |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Boston, Cambridge, Marblehead and Somerville |
| Michigan | No | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Battle Creek and Traverse City |
| Minnesota | No | Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on 2nd Monday in October, but it is not a legal holiday |
| Mississippi | No | |
| Missouri | Yes | |
| Montana | Yes | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Helena and Missoula |
| Nebraska | Yes | |
| Nevada | No | Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on 2nd Monday in October, but it is not a legal holiday |
| New Hampshire | Yes | State holiday but not paid |
| New Jersey | Yes | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Newark, Princeton |
| New Mexico | Yes | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day |
| New York | Yes | |
| North Carolina | No | Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on 2nd Monday in October, but it is not a legal holiday. |
| North Dakota | No | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Fargo, Grand Forks |
| Ohio | Yes | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Cincinnati and Oberlin. Not a holiday in Columbus or Sandusky. Cleveland observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day on August 9th. |
| Oklahoma | No | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Ada City and Norman. Native American Day is celebrated in Tulsa. |
| Oregon | No | Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on 2nd Monday in October, but it is not a legal holiday. |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Philadelphia. |
| Rhode Island | Yes | |
| South Carolina | No | |
| South Dakota | Yes | Native Americans Day |
| Tennessee | No | The Governor has designated that the Friday after Thanksgiving shall be substituted for the Columbus Day holiday |
| Texas | No | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Houston and San Antonio |
| Utah | Yes | |
| Vermont | No | Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on 2nd Monday in October, but it is not a legal holiday |
| Virginia | Yes | On October 9th 2020, Gov. Northam signed a proclamation also recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day on the Second Monday in October. |
| Washington | No | Celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Olympia, Seattle and Spokane City |
| West Virginia | Yes | |
| Wisconsin | No | Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on 2nd Monday in October, but it is not a legal holiday |
| Wyoming | No |
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