Upcoming Columbus Day 2026 Dates: The Next 10 Years (Day of the Week & Countdown)
Here’s a list of the next 10 years’ Columbus Day 2026 dates, including the day of the week and how many days remain until each date.
| Holiday | Date | Day | Days to go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Day 2026 | October 12, 2026 | Monday | 685 |
| Columbus Day 2027 | October 12, 2027 | Tuesday | 1050 |
| Columbus Day 2028 | October 12, 2028 | Thursday | 1416 |
| Columbus Day 2029 | October 12, 2029 | Friday | 1781 |
| Columbus Day 2030 | October 12, 2030 | Saturday | 2146 |
| Columbus Day 2031 | October 12, 2031 | Sunday | 2511 |
| Columbus Day 2032 | October 12, 2032 | Tuesday | 2877 |
| Columbus Day 2033 | October 12, 2033 | Wednesday | 3242 |
| Columbus Day 2034 | October 12, 2034 | Thursday | 3607 |
| Columbus Day 2035 | October 12, 2035 | Friday | 3972 |
The holiday celebrates Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas. He arrived on an island in the Bahamas on 12 October 1492. With Columbus, European exploration of the New World began. The first American celebration of Columbus Day was in 1792. The Society of St. Tammany held this to commemorate Columbus' landing 300 years ago.
President Benjamin Harrison declared 1892 a national celebration of Columbus's voyage. That partly eased tensions following the lynching of eleven Italian Americans in New Orleans. This holiday honored Italian American heritage and promoted patriotism.
Observance and Celebrations
United States - Columbus Day falls on the second Monday in October. Some celebrate by having parades and festivals. Often these include floats representing Columbus's ships and cultural performances. Schools might also hold programs on Columbus's voyages and their significance.
Some areas honor Italian Americans on this day. These reflect the achievements of Italians in American culture and society. But not everyone sees this holiday positively. Some groups argue it ignores the negative effects of colonization on Indigenous peoples.
Global Recognition
It’s not just the U.S. Others in North and South America celebrate Columbus Day too. Some Latin American countries deem it "Dia de la Raza" or "Day of the Race." Rather it's about celebrating that mix of cultures that came from Spanish people meeting people who lived there already. And in Spain? October 12 is Fiesta Nacional de España - their national party day.
Although Columbus Day is still a federal holiday here, some states have switched it up. They renamed it Indian Peoples' Day. On this new day, we celebrate Native American history and culture instead of Columbus.
What a way to define a day! Some see it as a day to celebrate their heritage, others remember a tough part of history. Or both - it's got people talking and thinking about the past and how it affects us today.
You might also want to read about Halloween, its traditions and customs, history, and observance.