Columbus Day Weekend in Miami

Columbus Day celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas on October 12, 1492 and is observed in the United States on the second Monday of October.

Columbus Day is a bank holiday. Federal government offices are closed except for National parks.

You can expect the following to be open and closed on Monday:

Closed

Government Offices
Schools
Post Offices
Banks
Public Libraries

Open

Shopping centers and malls
Grocery Stores
Restaurants
Federal, State, Regional Parks
Public Transportation (check for special holiday schedules)

Columbus Day Weekend is a huge boating event in Miami. Originally, the center of the celebrations were the Columbus Day Regatta races commemorating the voyages of discovery.

Through the years, the event has given way to a massive Mardi Grass-like boating party that has drifted towards the banks of Elliot Key for a weekend jammed with boaters on (and in) the water, loud music, heavy drinking and clothing optional everything-goes crowd.

The Elliott Key revelry is NOT part of the Regatta activities. So be sure you understand these are two separate events, even though they are both taking place in the waters of Biscayne Bay.

The Columbus Day Regatta

This is the oldest event taking place in the waters of Biscayne Bay. There is even some colorful history behind it that ties back to the 17th Duke of Veraguas, a direct descendant of Cristobal Colón, who attended the event in 1960 and granted permission for the use of the Columbus Coat of Arms for the Regatta's emblem.

Sailors from around the world are invited to join Miami's oldest Regatta which takes place on the Saturday and/or Sunday preceding Columbus Day.

More info: www.columbusdayregatta.net

Columbus Day Weekend Events by Elliot Key

The heavy partying area (not part of the Regatta activities) is along Elliot Key. Elliot Key although part of Biscayne National Park, is not associated with these activities. The park has dubbed this the "most dangerous weekend of the year" and needless to say, this is not a family event.

In fact, there are special regulations issued for the weekend. If you are heading out please act responsibly and comply with them as there will be zero tolerance for violations.