What it is
On the second Monday of October the United States marks a federal holiday that is called Columbus Day in federal law, while many states, cities and schools instead use the name Indigenous Peoples' Day. The two names reflect a long public debate about how history is remembered.
For businesses the practical side is simple: it is a long weekend for many people, and some offices, banks and schools are closed. The sensitive side is the name, so a neutral, respectful tone is the safest choice.
Symbols: A long-weekend calendar, autumn leaves, a map, a local museum
Emoji: 🍂 🗓️ 🧭 🏞️ 🤝 🍁
Colours: Autumn orange, deep green, warm brown
Hashtags: #LongWeekend #OctoberMonday #SupportLocal #HolidayHours #FallVibes
What to aim for
- Tell customers clearly whether you are open and your holiday hours
- Offer a calm long-weekend reason to visit or order
- Share local history only if you can do it carefully and with real sources
Post ideas by format
Post
- A clear holiday-hours graphic: open or closed, and the hours, in plain language
- A long-weekend idea from your business, such as a seasonal drink or a plan for a family day out
Carousel
- “Long weekend, local style”: one slide per idea, such as a walk, a café, a market, a museum
- “Holiday hours at a glance”: one slide per location or department
Reel / short video
- Hook: “Three ways to spend a long weekend in our town.” Quick cuts of places you really like
- A short, quiet behind-the-scenes of your team preparing for a busy autumn weekend
Stories
- A poll: “Long weekend plan: stay home, travel or explore the city?”
- A story with the holiday-hours sticker and a question box: “What should we have ready for you?”
Ready-made post examples
Layouts we wrote as examples. Replace the details with your own business before you publish.
Long weekend plans? We are open on Monday with our usual hours, from the first coffee to the last slice of apple cake. Come in after a walk, bring a book or meet friends. If you want to avoid the queue, the best time is just after opening. What is your favourite way to spend a long autumn weekend?
A quick note about the holiday on Monday. Orders placed over the weekend are packed on the next working day, and the courier timing may shift a little because of the holiday. If you need something for the weekend, order today and write to us here, and we will tell you honestly what is possible. Thank you for planning with us.
A reminder for our neighbours: our shop will have holiday hours on Monday. We will be open in the morning and closed in the afternoon so the team can be with their families. Stop by on Saturday or Sunday if you need something for the long weekend. Thank you for supporting a small local business, and enjoy the autumn days.
What to avoid
- Do not take sides in the Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day debate in a commercial post; use neutral wording such as “Monday holiday” if you are unsure
- Do not use jokes, costumes or imagery that make light of Indigenous cultures or of colonial history
- If you share local history, use real, named sources and, where possible, voices from the communities concerned; otherwise skip the topic
When to post
- Publish your holiday hours at least three to five days ahead so customers can plan
- Post the main content on the Friday before; in 2026 the holiday is on Monday, 12 October
- On Tuesday, return to normal programming and thank customers who visited
What to check afterwards
- Replies or messages asking about hours, which show if the information was clear
- Visits or orders over the long weekend compared with a normal one
- Saves of the local-ideas carousel
Add one line about your business: the free generator gives three captions with hashtags for the network you choose. No sign-up.