Stores Open on Columbus Day

Columbus Day Store Hours Guide

Columbus Day (also observed as Indigenous Peoples' Day in many states and cities) is one of the least-impactful holidays on the retail calendar. Almost every store stays open, and life proceeds much as it would on any other Monday.

All categories of retail stores operate on normal schedules. Grocery stores, department stores, electronics retailers, home improvement stores, pharmacies, auto parts stores, discount retailers, restaurants, and specialty stores are all open. There is virtually no disruption to shopping.

The only closures are the standard federal holiday shutdowns. Banks close (though most ATMs still work). Post offices close and mail is not delivered. Federal, state, and many local government offices close. Schools may or may not be in session depending on the district.

Columbus Day does generate some retail sales activity, primarily in the mattress and furniture categories. As with Presidents' Day, mattress companies use Columbus Day weekend to run promotions. Home furnishing stores, appliance dealers, and some department stores also participate in Columbus Day sales, though the discounts tend to be more modest than what you would see on Memorial Day or Presidents' Day.

For most shoppers, Columbus Day is simply a regular Monday. If you have the day off from work, it is a good opportunity to run errands, shop, and take care of business at stores that are fully open and potentially less crowded than a typical Saturday.

Some retailers have moved away from using the Columbus Day name in their marketing, opting instead for "Fall Sale" or "October Sale" branding. Regardless of the naming, the shopping opportunities and store hours are the same.