On Columbus Day, many people mix everyday fun with more thoughtful, history- aware activities.

Quick Scoop

Columbus Day (second Monday in October) is a federal holiday in the U.S., but it’s also increasingly treated as a moment to rethink history, learn about Indigenous peoples, and enjoy local culture.

1. Classic “Columbus Day” style activities

These are the kinds of things you’ll see recommended on mainstream holiday and travel sites.

  • Attend a local parade or civic ceremony if your city still hosts one, often with floats, bands, and community groups.
  • Visit a museum or history center to explore exhibits on exploration, navigation, or the Age of Discovery.
  • Explore Italian‑American neighborhoods, bakeries, or restaurants to learn about and honor Italian‑American culture.
  • Host a home “cultural feast” with Italian dishes or foods from different cultures that shaped the Americas.
  • Watch a documentary about early Atlantic voyages or the Columbian Exchange and discuss what was gained and what was lost.

2. Indigenous Peoples’ Day–focused ideas

Many cities and states now mark the same day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, emphasizing learning, respect, and repair.

  • Look for Indigenous Peoples’ Day events such as teach‑ins, talks, or cultural performances hosted by universities, libraries, or community centers.
  • Read or listen to work by Native authors telling their own histories and contemporary experiences.
  • Explore whose land you live on and learn about those nations’ history and current issues they face.
  • Donate to Indigenous organizations, cultural centers, or language revitalization projects as a concrete way to give back.
  • Have a family or classroom conversation about how holidays are changing and why some people prefer to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.

3. Fun day‑off plans (if you just want to get out)

Plenty of guides frame the day as a simple chance to enjoy a Monday off with activities that fit fall weather.

  • Take a fall hike, visit a park, or go leaf‑peeping if you’re in a place with autumn colors.
  • Do kid‑friendly outings like zoos, children’s museums, or special holiday programs that often run on long weekends.
  • Check local event calendars for festivals, marathons, coffee or food festivals, and other fall events that often cluster around October.
  • Have a low‑key home day: board games, movies about explorers or historical fiction, or a themed dinner night.

4. At‑home or classroom learning activities

Teachers and parents often use the day to teach critical thinking rather than just repeat the old “1492” story.

  • Do age‑appropriate history activities: timelines of exploration, mapping early routes, and then adding voices of Indigenous peoples to the same timeline.
  • Use word searches, trivia, or quizzes about exploration and geography to keep kids engaged while still learning.
  • Compare older textbook narratives about Columbus with newer articles that include Indigenous perspectives and discuss the differences.
  • Have students or family members research and present on a different explorer or Indigenous leader to balance the story.

5. Navigating different viewpoints

Columbus Day is a debated holiday, and people around you may see it very differently.

  • Some Italian‑American communities view it as a day of cultural pride and recognition, especially where they’ve faced discrimination.
  • Many Indigenous communities and their allies see it as commemorating a violent legacy of colonization, which is why they push for Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.
  • You can acknowledge both by, for example, supporting Italian‑American culture while centering Indigenous history and present‑day realities.
  • If you’re unsure what to “celebrate,” frame the day as a reflection and learning day rather than a simple celebration.

6. Simple plan you can copy

Here’s a sample way to spend the day that balances fun and thoughtfulness.

  1. Morning: Read a short article or watch a documentary segment on Indigenous Peoples’ Day and discuss it with whoever you’re with.
  1. Late morning: Visit a local museum, cultural center, or historical site that covers Indigenous or colonial history.
  1. Afternoon: Take a walk, hike, or park trip and talk about whose land you’re on and what you’ve learned.
  1. Evening: Cook or order food from either an Italian‑American spot or an Indigenous‑owned business if available, and end with a movie or book that reflects one of those cultures.

At the end of the day, the most meaningful thing you can do on Columbus Day is choose activities that line up with your values—learning more, honoring Indigenous communities, and still making the most of a fall day off.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.