Columbus Day began 1792 as a holiday celebrated by Italian-Americans to honor Italian explorer Christopher Columbus and celebrate when he arrived in the Americas.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt later declared Columbus Day as a national holiday.
However, there have been a growing number of communities who celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of Columbus Day.
The holiday honors North America’s Indigenous peoples and the Tribal Nations living on the continent today.
President Joe Biden designated Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a national holiday in October 2021 alongside Columbus Day.
Columbus Day usually falls on the second Monday of October.
This year, the holiday will be celebrated on Monday, Oct. 13.
Here is what you need to know about what’s open and closed on Columbus Day 2025.
Columbus Day is a federal holiday, as well as a state holiday.
It’s the eighth out of 11 federal holidays this year.
The next few federal holidays after Columbus Day are Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas to follow.
The only state that doesn’t consider Columbus Day a holiday is Hawaii.
Instead, Hawaii commemorates the second Monday in October as Discoverers’ Day.
No, U.S. Postal Service mail will not be delivered on Columbus Day.
FedEx, Amazon fulfillment and UPS will still deliver packages and other mail on a regular or modified schedule.
United States Postal Service offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 13, for Columbus Day.
You’ll have to plan to stop by on Saturday, Oct. 11, or the day after on Tuesday, Oct. 14, for shipping or packages or picking up mail.
The only two major bank chains planning to remain open are TD Bank and Chase.
Note that while Chase will be open for regular in-person banking, some services may not be available until the next business day, on Oct. 14.
Most banks will be closed for Columbus Day, including:
Most grocery stores should be open, but some may be operating with reduced hours. Shoppers should check their local supermarket for specific information on store hours, as hours can vary based on location.
The following major supermarket chains in New Jersey are scheduled to be open on Columbus Day:
- ACME (7 a.m. – 11 p.m.; varies by store)
- Aldi (8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; varies by store)
- Amazon Fresh (7 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
- BJ’s Wholesale Club (8 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
- Costco (10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
- Foodtown (varies by store)
- Lidl (7 a.m. – 9 p.m.; varies by store)
- ShopRite (varies by store)
- Stop & Shop (7 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
- Target (8 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
- Trader Joe’s (8 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
- Walmart (6 a.m. – 11 p.m.; varies by store)
- Wegmans (6 a.m. – 12 a.m.)
- Whole Foods (8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; varies by store)
All major retail stores, shopping centers, and malls should be open.
Most stores should be open because Columbus Day is not one of those typical holidays, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, where companies across the country shut down to celebrate.
Click here to see some of the more popular store opening and closing times.
Most restaurants should be open for takeout, delivery, and in-person dining without any changes in schedule.
For exact hours and information, check with the restaurant you are interested in patronizing.
The New York Stock Exchange is open on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. The NYSE usually remains open on the holiday.
Nasdaq trading will also be open. However, bond markets will be closed.
All Motor Vehicle Commission offices will be closed in observance of Columbus Day.
All New Jersey state offices and courts are closed for the holiday, as well.
NJ Transit will be on a holiday schedule or weekday schedule for Monday, Oct. 13, depending the on the line. Riders should use NJ Transit’s online trip planner to double-check arrival and departure times.
PATH will operate on a weekday schedule, and SEPTA will operate on a normal schedule.
The next federal holiday is Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The two other remaining federal holidays are Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 28, and Christmas Day on Dec. 25.
For more information about the history of Columbus Day, check out the video below:
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