Columbus Day is still officially recognized in a number of U.S. states, though the exact setup varies a lot by state.

States that still recognize Columbus Day

According to recent reporting, the states that still recognize Columbus Day as a paid holiday, without replacing it outright, are: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Utah, and West Virginia.

States with shared or alternate observances

Some states observe Columbus Day alongside another holiday or under a different name. For example, Alabama also observes American Indian Heritage Day, while Maine, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Vermont have shifted toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day or related state observances.

Why the answer varies

The holiday is handled differently depending on whether you mean a paid state holiday, a legal state holiday, or just a ceremonial observance. Pew notes that observance across the U.S. ranges from paid time off to a regular workday, and the state-level rules are inconsistent.

State list in brief

Here is the clearest short list of states that still celebrate Columbus Day in some official form: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Utah, and West Virginia.

Would you like the list split into “paid holiday,” “recognized but unpaid,” and “replaced by Indigenous Peoples’ Day”?