Columbus Area Adjusts Services for Indigenous Peoples Day

Central Ohio residents faced altered public services on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, as Columbus Day was observed as a federal holiday and the city of Columbus recognized Indigenous Peoples Day. The holiday affected government offices, mail services, trash collection and some financial operations.

Most stores, restaurants and entertainment venues in the area remained open, according to WCMH. However, residents were advised that service schedules varied across agencies and businesses.

The United States Postal Service observed the federal holiday and closed Post Office locations, with no mail delivery, caller service or Post Office Box service available on Oct. 12, according to WCMH. Services were scheduled to resume Tuesday.

FedEx operated with modified service, while FedEx Freight, FedEx Office, FedEx Custom Critical and FedEx Logistics remained open, according to WCMH. UPS pickup and delivery services were available, though some UPS Ground Saver and UPS Mail Innovations deliveries required an additional business day.

Columbus city trash collection was suspended because the city observed Indigenous Peoples Day, according to WCMH. The collection schedule moved forward by one day during the holiday week for residents assigned color-based pickup days.

Weekly recycling and biweekly yard waste collection were not affected by Indigenous Peoples Day, according to WCMH. Residents without color-coded schedules also had pickup delays when their collection day fell on or after the holiday.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority maintained its normal schedule on Oct. 12, according to WCMH. The agency uses Sunday schedules on nine other holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

City parking meters and kiosks were not enforced on the holiday because Indigenous Peoples Day is among the 11 holidays with free parking, according to WCMH. Some restrictions, including rush hour zones, valet areas, taxi zones, loading areas, handicapped-only spaces and residential permit areas, remained active.

Banks closed for Columbus Day because it is a federal holiday, while ATMs and online banking services remained available, according to WCMH. Federal, state, county and city offices, including courthouses, were also closed.

Columbus City Schools and South Western City Schools held classes on Oct. 12, according to WCMH. Both districts had separate scheduled days off later in October for professional development and records activities.