Brooklyn Boro

It’s Columbus Day weekend. Here’s what you need to know.

October 11, 2019 Meaghan McGoldrick
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Monday is Columbus Day — or, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as some states have moved to call it. Observed each year, the second Monday of October is a federal holiday regardless of its different treatments from state to state, which means it comes with some important closures and suspensions (whether or not you have the day off).

BONUS: If you want to avoid the holiday altogether, you can head to Manhattan and celebrate Pickle Day instead.

What’s happening over the weekend?

Brooklyn’s 38th Annual Columbus Day Parade

The Federation of Italian American Organizations of Brooklyn will host its 38th Columbus Day Parade on Saturday, Oct. 12. The celebration kicks off at 1 p.m. at the corner of 61st Street and 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst and ends at Benson Avenue. The parade is preceded by a mass at St. Athanasius Church (2154 61st St.) and will be followed by a free party at Il Centro (8711 18th Avenue) from 4-6 p.m.

What’s happening Monday?

Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, families are invited to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day through storytelling, art and more at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (145 Brooklyn Ave.). The day’s lineup includes stories from Taíno storyteller Bobby Gonzalez and Haudenosaunee storyteller Perry Ground. There will also be a Lunaape language lesson with teacher Karen Mosko. More info here.

Columbus Day at Prospect Park

Parents with the day off might want to take their kids to Prospect Park, where there will be a host of family programming throughout the day. From lawn games and carousel rides to a four-hour “Columbus Day Nature Excursion,” there are plenty of ways to pass the day at the beloved Brooklyn Park. More info here.

The 75th Annual New York City Columbus Day Parade

For the 75th year, New York City’s Columbus Day Parade (“the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture,” according to its website) will march up Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue on Monday. The march kicks off at 11:30 a.m., heading from 44th Street to 72nd Street along the strip. More info here.

What’s not happening?

Garbage pickup

There will be no garbage, recycling or organic collection on Columbus Day. There will also be no street cleaning. Residents who normally receive Monday trash and organics collection are advised to bring their trash to the curb after 4 p.m. Monday for collection. Those who receive Monday recycling collection will have to wait until 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 for collection on Monday, Oct. 21.

Mail delivery

Your post-person has the day off, too.

Alternate side parking

Alternate side parking regulations are suspended Monday. (It’ll also be suspended Tuesday to mark the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.)

What’s closed?

Government buildings

City, state and federal government buildings, including courts and post offices, are closed for Columbus Day.

Schools, banks and libraries

New York City public schools are closed for the holiday, as are most banks. All New York Public and Brooklyn Public Library branches will be closed both Sunday and Monday.

Probably some Brooklyn businesses

Check in with your favorite restaurant for holiday hours before making any meal plans. Same goes for any shopping you might do. Every business observes differently!

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