What government office are closed in Indiana for Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day?

Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day both fall on Monday, Oct. 14, this year. Whatever you call it, it means some offices might be closed today.

Here’s a look at which services you might have to wait for until Tuesday.

Are federal and state government offices open Columbus Day?

All federal and state offices in Indiana will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14. Indy’s City-County offices also will be closed for Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day.

Will the post office be open Columbus Day?

The United States Postal Service will be closed Columbus Day. No mail will be delivered.

FedEx Ground Economy and FedEx Express will operate on modified hours, while all other services will be open. UPS delivery and pickup services will be open on Monday, Oct. 14, however, UPS SurePost and UPS Mail Innovations deliveries will require an additional business day in transit.

Is the BMV closed on Columbus Day?

Yes. Indiana’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be closed from Saturday, Oct. 12 through Monday, October 14 in observance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. To find a 24-hour BMV Connect kiosk near you, to make an online transaction or for a complete list of BMV branch locations and hours, visit IN.gov/BMV.

Will banks be open on Columbus Day?

Most banks will be closed Monday in observance of Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Will supermarkets or big stores close on Columbus Day?

Hoosiers will still be able to shop at most supermarkets, such as Kroger, Meijer, and Aldi, which will remain open. That includes other major retailers like Target, Walmart, and CVS. Check each store’s website for a list of locations and hours.

Will the stock market be open on Columbus Day?

The stock market will be open on Monday, but the bond market will be closed.

When is Columbus Day 2024?

Monday, Oct. 14, is the date Columbus Day will be observed in 2024.

When is Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024?

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is also Monday, Oct. 14.

Is Columbus Day still a federal holiday?

Yes. Columbus Day is one of 11 federal holidays still recognized by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Some argue it celebrates Italian American heritage, while others say it glorifies an exploration that led to the genocide of native peoples.

“To have had American colonialism looked at throughout history as not being a problem and celebrated as a good thing is deeply problematic to any of us who live in a (Native-American) community or reservation,” Scott Stevens, the director of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Program at Syracuse University, previously told USA TODAY.

What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Last year, the Biden administration issued a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day for the third year in a row. The commemoration of Native American history and culture is now federally recognized alongside Columbus Day.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day isn’t a recent invention. South Dakota was the first state to recognize it in 1989, and the California cities of Berkeley and Santa Cruz followed suit.

Approximately 29 states and Washington, D.C. do not celebrate Columbus Day. About 216 cities have renamed it or replaced it with Indigenous Peoples Day, according to renamecolumbusday.org. Some states recognize Indigenous Peoples Day via proclamation, while others treat it as an official holiday. 

Is Columbus Day always on a Monday?

Yes. The observance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day is always on the second Monday of October.