Find Out Which Florida Schools Are Open on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Complete List
Florida’s Columbus Day School Closures: What You Need to Know
As Columbus Day approaches on October 13, families across Florida are preparing for varying school schedules. While the holiday is recognized federally, it is not a paid state holiday in Florida, meaning school districts decide independently whether to close for the day. In Florida, only one county officially observes Columbus Day with a holiday. Elsewhere, the date typically coincides with teacher planning or professional development days.
Florida Schools’ Columbus Day Schedule
Many Florida counties have opted to close schools on Columbus Day, while others remain open. This decision varies across districts and is not uniform throughout the state. Below is a detailed list of school closures and openings:
| County | Status |
|---|---|
| Baker | Planning day, Oct. 13 |
| Bay | Closed for Columbus Day, Oct. 13. Teacher planning day, Oct. 22 |
| Citrus | Open |
| Duval | Employee planning days, Oct. 13-14 |
| Escambia | Professional development day, Oct. 13 |
| Gadsden | Open |
| Hillsborough | Open |
Understanding Federal Holiday Observance
Although Columbus Day is a federal holiday, it is not observed as a paid holiday for state agencies in Florida. Instead, school districts have the autonomy to determine closures. For many, Columbus Day has shifted focus to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which commemorates Native American history and culture.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Its Growing Recognition
Indigenous Peoples’ Day has gained momentum as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day. By 2021, approximately 221 U.S. cities and several states had replaced or renamed Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This shift reflects a growing awareness and recognition of Native American history and the impacts of colonialism.
President Trump’s Announcement on Columbus Day
In a 2025 post on TruthSocial, President Donald Trump declared his intention to revive Columbus Day, criticizing efforts to dismantle Christopher Columbus’s legacy. This announcement has stirred debates over the holiday’s significance and its celebration.
Operations on Columbus Day
- Mail Services: No mail delivery; Post Offices will be closed.
- Banks: Generally closed, aligning with federal holiday schedules. Checking with individual branches is advised.
- Stock Market: Open, unlike other sectors that limit operations on this day.
- Retail: Most grocery stores, including Publix, remain open.
For the most accurate and current information, parents and guardians are advised to consult their district’s official website or contact schools directly. Emegypt provides additional resources for checking individual school calendars and closures.
