Overview
The question which states do not celebrate Columbus Day points to a shift in official recognition toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day and other honors of Native peoples and communities. No federal law requires observance of Columbus Day by states, so each state sets its own policy. As of the most recent patterns, several states do not treat Christopher Columbus Day as a paid state holiday for executive-branch employees and in some cases discourage or limit official commemoration. The following breakdown reflects current state-level designations and related observances that replace or reframe the day.
Context: Federal versus state recognition
Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937, but federal status does not compel states to observe it as a paid holiday for state employees. States may choose to recognize it as a holiday, part-day holiday, or not at all, while often adopting Indigenous Peoples’ Day or other commemorative days by proclamation or statute. Local governments within states may also differ from state policy. These distinctions matter for understanding which offices are closed, which services are affected, and how the day is officially framed.
States that do not celebrate Columbus Day as a state holiday
The following states do not recognize Columbus Day as a paid holiday for state employees. This list reflects official human-resources and state-proclamations guidance as of the latest available policy documents. In most of these states, Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October is recognized in some form, though observance details vary.
States without Columbus Day as a state holiday
| State | Columbus Day status (state employees) | Indigenous Peoples’ Day status | Notes or alternative observances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized | State offices may acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ Day; varies by agency. |
| California | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized | State employees generally not given the day off; cities may observe differently. |
| Hawaii | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized as Discoverer’s Day (island-specific) | Focus often on Native Hawaiian culture rather than Columbus. |
| Iowa | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized by proclamation | State offices remain open; local observances vary. |
| Louisiana | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized by proclamation | Parish-level practices may differ; some local holidays observed. |
| Maine | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized | Indigenous Peoples’ Day established by statute; state offices open. |
| Michigan | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized by proclamation | State business continues; local governments may adopt their own observances. |
| Minnesota | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized by proclamation | State offices remain open; emphasis on Tribal nations and Indigenous communities. |
| Nevada | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized by proclamation | No paid holiday for state employees; local observances possible. |
| New Mexico | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized | Statute designates Indigenous Peoples’ Day; state offices open. |
| North Carolina | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized by proclamation or statute (varies) | Some agencies may close where local policy supports it; recognition growing. |
| Oregon | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized by proclamation | State offices continue; public universities often follow similar guidance. |
| South Dakota | Not a paid state holiday | Recognizes Native American Day instead | Official day honors Native American heritage rather than Columbus. |
| Vermont | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized | Statute establishes Indigenous Peoples’ Day; state offices remain open. |
| Washington | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized by proclamation | State business continues; local jurisdictions may differ. |
| Wisconsin | Not a paid state holiday | Recognized variably by municipality | State-level offices generally open; cities may adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day. |
States that maintain Columbus Day as a state holiday
Many states still recognize Columbus Day as a paid state holiday or observance. Awareness of which states do not celebrate Columbus Day is often most useful when contrasted with those that retain the day, so here is a brief reference for comparison.
States that observe Columbus Day (at least in part)
- Colorado — partial holiday for certain state employees; local variations exist.
- Connecticut — Columbus Day remains a state holiday; some municipalities also recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- Georgia — recognized as a state holiday; local observances may differ.
- Illinois — state offices closed; municipalities may also observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- New Jersey — recognized; local adoption of Indigenous Peoples’ Day varies by municipality.
- New Mexico (mixed context) — some state agencies observe; others do not, reflecting patchwork local adoption.
- Ohio — state offices generally closed; local governments may choose alternate observances.
- Pennsylvania — recognized as a holiday for some state employees; local flexibility.
- Texas — recognized; state offices typically closed; local observances vary.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day and related observances
When states do not celebrate Columbus Day, the replacement observance is most commonly Indigenous Peoples’ Day, although some jurisdictions prefer Native American Day or other heritage references. These designations can be statutory, gubernatorial proclamations, or local practices. The emergence of these alternatives reflects a broader re-examination of historical narratives and a focus on Native communities, tribal sovereignty, and colonial history. Recognizing Indigenous contributions and contemporary issues is often cited as a primary rationale for shifting official recognition.
Key distinctions among replacement observances
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day — emphasizes contemporary Indigenous identities, cultures, and ongoing contributions; most common replacement where states move away from Columbus Day.
- Native American Day — focuses on the history and achievements of Native American peoples; observed in some states with different naming conventions.
- Heritage or Discovery Days — a smaller number of localities reference exploration while attempting to present more balanced or educational framing.
Local variation and practical implications
Even within states that do not celebrate Columbus Day at the state level, county and city governments may differ. School districts, public universities, and federal installations often follow their own schedules. Therefore, practical questions about closures, services, and events should check specific local policies. Tribal governments may set their own observances independent of state or local decisions, especially in states with significant Indigenous populations and tribal nations.
How to confirm current observance in your area
To determine local practice when states do not celebrate Columbus Day, consult official state human-resources pages, municipal calendars, and tribal government notices. Many state and local websites publish annual holiday schedules well in advance. Public universities and school districts typically post their calendars by late summer. For the most reliable guidance, refer directly to the agency or jurisdiction that will affect your plans.
Frequently asked questions
- Does not celebrating Columbus Day mean the day is a regular workday everywhere? In most states that do not treat it as a state holiday, it is a regular workday for state employees, though schools and some local offices may follow different schedules.
- Are Indigenous Peoples’ Day proclamations binding like statutes? Gubernatorial proclamations can establish observance but may not always create a paid day off; statutory changes provide stronger, more durable recognition.
- Can local governments override state policy on Columbus Day? Yes, counties and municipalities often set their own holiday and staffing practices, which may differ from state-level guidance.
- Do tribal governments observe Columbus Day? Tribal observances vary widely; many tribal governments choose alternative days that honor their own histories and cultures.
- Are federal employees affected by state decisions about Columbus Day? Federal holidays follow federal law; states do not change federal schedules, though local federal offices may adopt local observances where permitted.