Columbus Day is the holiday that commemorates Cristopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.

The parade that takes place along the streets of New York is the most important one and can get up to 30.000 followers.

This holiday is mainly felt by the Italian-Americans that live in New York and take pride, even 5 centuries later, that an Italian navigator has been the one to discover the American continent.

Being a federal holiday the majority of offices and banks are closed, as well as embassies and consulates. Not to be missed is the Empire State Building lit in white red and green to reproduce the Italian flag.

During the holiday period several side events are organized, besides the parade , that enliven downtown Manhattan. Columbus Day is also important for the many Italian expatriates that reunite with their families , hence enableing the immigrants to maintain a strong connection with Italian traditions.

Celebrated on the second Monday of the month of October