Washington D.C. Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Banks to Close October 13

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The D.C. Council has approved emergency legislation to celebrate “Indigenous Peoples' Day” next Monday, replacing Columbus Day. This change aims to honor Indigenous people and acknowledge their rich history and cultural contributions.

Major financial institutions, including Wells Fargo and Bank of America, will close their doors on October 13 in observance of the federal holiday which has been celebrated since 1968. The day marks the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas, but many cities and states also recognize it as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Due to the holiday, anyone needing to conduct banking in person is encouraged to do so before or after October 13. However, ATMs and online banking services will remain operational during the bank closures.

More than one million people are expected to attend the Columbus Day Parade in New York City, celebrating Italian-American heritage. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the event.

Many public services, including federal courts, libraries, and post offices, will be closed on this holiday. Federal employees will receive a paid day off, and mail delivery will be suspended. While most grocery and liquor stores will remain open, patrons are advised to verify local hours.

Other banks, including Capital One, Citibank, PNC Bank, and Santander, will also be closed on that day. Customers can use ATMs at Wells Fargo for transactions, but must link their debit cards to a digital wallet for contactless access. Chase Bank and the Canadian TD Bank will continue their operations as usual.

The next federal holiday following Indigenous Peoples’ Day is Veterans Day, which is set for November 11.