Full Breakdown
Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day Observed on Oct. 12, 2026
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
Columbus Day has been a federal holiday since 1892, marking the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s 1492 voyage. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971 set the observance on the second Monday of October. In recent decades, criticism of Columbus’s treatment of Native peoples has led many jurisdictions to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the same date. President Joe Biden issued the first presidential proclamation for Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021, and several states and municipalities now use a dual-holiday format.
Services Affected in Indiana
Government Offices
All federal and state offices in Indiana will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12, as confirmed by the Indiana Star. Indianapolis City-County offices will also be shut.
United States Postal Service
All post offices will be closed for retail transactions and no regular residential or business mail will be delivered on Oct. 12. Priority Mail Express remains available.
Banking and Financial Services
National bank branches—including Bank of America, Wells Fargo and CitiBank—will be closed. ATMs and online banking will continue, though deposits may not be processed until the next business day.
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
The Indiana BMV will be closed, suspending in-person services. Customers can use 24-hour BMV Connect kiosks or online transactions.
Schools and Libraries
Indianapolis Public Schools will begin fall break on Oct. 12, and all Indianapolis Public Library branches will be closed. Other Indiana classrooms are also expected to be closed.
Retail, Food and Major Stores
Most supermarkets (e.g., Kroger, Meijer, Aldi) and major retailers such as Target, Walmart and CVS will remain open, though shoppers should verify individual store hours.
Waste Management
Regular trash pickup in Indianapolis will continue on schedule. In Ohio, pickup schedules vary; Cincinnati and Akron will maintain service, while Columbus may pause.
Financial Markets
The stock market will be open on Oct. 12, but the bond market will be closed.
Official Statements & Responses
The USPS website confirms the closure of retail locations and suspension of regular mail delivery on Oct. 12. Indiana agencies have issued notices that all offices will be shut. Banking institutions advise that branch services will be unavailable, though digital platforms remain functional. UPS and FedEx corporate sites note that standard pickup and delivery will continue, with some FedEx services on modified schedules.
What’s Next
The second Monday of October will continue to be observed as both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2027, with federal offices, banks and post offices again closed. Residents should monitor local government and service provider announcements for any changes to hours or schedules.