As Los Angeles embraces Indigenous Peoples’ Day this Monday, city and county offices have shut their doors to honor the region’s Native communities and their enduring cultural heritage. Yet across the country, the federal government continues to recognize Columbus Day—a long-standing national holiday with deep historical and political debate attached to it.

In Los Angeles, the split observance captures a changing narrative—one where local recognition of Indigenous identity meets the nation’s traditional remembrance of Columbus’s voyage.

📍 Story Highlights — Read Before You Go

• City & County Offices: Closed for Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Los Angeles.

• Federal Offices: Closed nationwide for Columbus Day.

• State Offices & Courts: Open across California.

• Schools: Los Angeles Unified School District schools open.

• Banks: Most major banks including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank are closed.

• Public Transit: Buses, Metrolink, and LA rail services running normally.

• Retail & Groceries: Most open on regular hours.

• Celebration: Cultural program at Cal State Los Angeles from noon to 2 p.m.

Los Angeles Marks Indigenous Peoples’ Day

For Los Angeles, Indigenous Peoples’ Day represents more than a calendar change—it’s a statement of acknowledgment. The city officially replaced Columbus Day in 2017 after a local ordinance declared the second Monday in October as a day dedicated to honoring Indigenous identity, history, and survival.

That same year, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors followed suit, ensuring the day would be celebrated throughout the county. More than 100 U.S. cities have since made similar moves, shifting away from Columbus Day toward a day of Indigenous recognition.

“This day is about truth-telling,” community advocates have often said. “It’s about recognizing whose land we’re on and the cultures that have always been here.”

City offices and county departments will remain closed on Monday, while state offices, courts, and schools will operate normally. The Los Angeles Unified School District is open, since Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not recognized as a state holiday.

Federal Offices Closed for Columbus Day

While Los Angeles celebrates Indigenous heritage, the federal government continues to mark Columbus Day, first recognized as a federal holiday in 1968.
As a result, all federal offices, including the U.S. Postal Service, are closed. There will be no regular mail delivery, and most major banks will not operate.

Services like UPS and FedEx, however, will continue normal pickup and delivery operations, and their store locations will remain open.

Public transportation—including LA Metro buses, Metrolink trains, and city rail services—will function as usual, ensuring Angelenos can move around the city with ease.

What’s Open for Business

Not everything stops on Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Columbus Day.
Most grocery stores, restaurants, and retail outlets in Los Angeles will keep their doors open, though residents are encouraged to check local store hours before visiting. Trash collection and some public services may vary depending on local jurisdictions.

History Behind the Holiday Shift

Indigenous Peoples’ Day began gaining national traction as a counterpoint to Columbus Day, which has long been celebrated as a symbol of exploration but also criticized for overlooking the suffering of Indigenous communities.

The change in Los Angeles was part of a broader movement to recognize Native history and contributions often erased from mainstream narratives. The shift also aligns with California’s Native American Day, observed annually on the fourth Friday of September, when state offices and courts close in tribute to California’s Indigenous peoples.

To honor the spirit of the day, a multicultural celebration will be held at Cal State Los Angeles from noon to 2 p.m. The event will feature Indigenous art, dance performances, educational workshops, and cultural storytelling sessions.

“Indigenous Peoples’ Day gives us space to celebrate survival and resilience,” said a Cal State LA organizer. “It’s not about erasing Columbus—it’s about reclaiming the narrative.”

The Columbus Day Controversy

The origins of Columbus Day stretch back to 1892, when President Benjamin Harrison declared the first national observance to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. The holiday was intended to celebrate exploration and unity, particularly among Italian-American communities facing discrimination at the time.

But in recent years, the legacy of Columbus has come under scrutiny. Critics point to colonial violence, enslavement, and displacement of Native peoples that followed his voyages.

In contrast, supporters of Columbus Day argue the holiday honors the spirit of discovery and Italian-American heritage.

In his 2019 proclamation, former President Donald Trump strongly defended Columbus, stating:

“Outrageously, in recent years, Christopher Columbus has been a prime target of a vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history… Those days are finally over — Columbus was a true American hero.”

The division underscores how Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day have become two sides of a broader national conversation—one about history, identity, and recognition.

A Day of Reflection for Los Angeles

For many Angelenos, the observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not just a holiday—it’s a reminder of a city built on diverse roots and ancient cultures. The celebrations across Los Angeles bring together artists, educators, and community leaders who continue to push for inclusion and acknowledgment of Indigenous contributions to the region’s story.

As the debate between Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day continues nationally, Los Angeles stands as a city that has made its choice clear—one that looks beyond discovery to honor the first peoples of the land.

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