Monday, Oct. 12 is Columbus Day, a federal holiday, which means it's a regular business day for many services but government buildings are closed.
On Columbus Day, federal offices, post offices and most bank branches are closed.
Texas state offices remain open because state law requires public offices to remain open on Columbus Day.
Here is what to know about Columbus Day in Texas.
Texas state offices are open on Columbus Day
Texas state government offices are generally open including:
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): Driver's license and identification card offices.
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): Benefits and public assistance offices.
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV): Regional offices and services.
- Texas Workforce Commission (TWC): Workforce and unemployment services.
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): Licensing services.
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: Taxpayer and business services.
- Texas Ethics Commission: Its calendar specifically lists October 12, 2026, as open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Texas cities municipal governments set their holiday schedule
Texas cities set their own municipal holiday calendars. Columbus Day is not automatically a closure day for every city government.
Here is what is known for the five of Texas' largest cities.
- Dallas: The city lists its offices as closed on Oct. 12, Indigenous Peoples' Day, a city holiday.
- Houston: Columbus Day is not included on Houston's official 2026 city holiday schedule.
- Austin: Columbus Day is not included on Austin's official 2026 city holiday list.
- San Antonio: Columbus Day is not included on San Antonio's official 2026 city holiday list.
- Fort Worth: Columbus Day is not included on Fort Worth's official 2026 city holiday list.
Bottom line: Of these five major cities, Dallas is the one that officially closes city facilities for the October 12 holiday.
Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Fort Worth do not list it as a citywide holiday on their published schedules.
What is closed on Columbus Day in Texas?
- U. S. Postal Service
- Federal government offices
- Most bank branches
- Social Security offices
- Some public-school districts. Varies by district.
What is open in Texas on Columbus Day?
Generally, the following are open on Columbus Day:
- Texas state government offices
- City and county offices
- NYSE and Nasdaq stock markets
- Grocery stores
- Bond markets
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Is today a federal holiday? Here's what's open, closed on Columbus Day
