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Dallas City Offices and Libraries to Close for Indigenous Peoples Day

A park in Dallas during Indigenous Peoples Day surrounded by colorful autumn leaves.

Dallas, October 13, 2025

News Summary

In observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, Dallas has announced that all city offices and libraries will be closed on Monday. Essential emergency services will operate as usual, but several municipal facilities, including recreation centers and cultural venues, will be shut down. Residents can still access online library services and make municipal court payments online or by mail. The closure coincides with Columbus Day and signifies the city’s recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day to honor the region’s indigenous communities.

Dallas — All city offices and libraries in Dallas will be closed on Monday. The city announced a wide range of municipal facilities and services will be closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, which falls on the second Monday of October and coincides with Columbus Day. Essential emergency and public safety operations will continue, and some services remain available online or by phone.

Closures and immediate impacts

All recreation centers, including administrative offices and maintenance facilities, will also be closed. The Office of Arts and Culture administrative offices and several cultural centers (Bath House Cultural Center, Latino Cultural Center, Oak Cliff Cultural Center, South Dallas Cultural Center) will be closed on Monday, reopening on Tuesday. The Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House & Museum will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, resuming normal operations on Wednesday.

The city Municipal Court will be closed, but payments can be made online and by mail. Dallas Water Utilities administrative and customer service offices will be closed; however, customers can report emergencies by calling 3-1-1. The 3-1-1 Customer Help Line will be in operation for service-related calls, including water main breaks and animal control.

Administration offices for animal services, police, Dallas Fire-Rescue, and sanitation will be closed, but the animal shelter will remain open. Police and fire personnel will operate on a normal schedule. Sanitation collections, including recycling and garbage collection, will proceed as scheduled. The McCommas Bluff Landfill and transfer stations will remain open for residential self-service disposal.

Library and online services

Library services, including audiobooks and streaming music, will still be accessible 24/7 at www.dallaslibrary.org. Patrons can access digital collections and other online resources while physical library locations are closed.

Payments, banks, post offices and retail

Post offices and most banks, such as Chase and Bank of America, will not be open on Monday due to Columbus Day observances. Major retailers will generally remain open; Major retailers, including Walmart and Target, will operate as usual on Monday.

Background and context

Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated every year on the second Monday of October, coinciding with Columbus Day. Columbus Day is a national holiday that was first recognized in 1934 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The city of Dallas officially recognized Indigenous Peoples Day in 2019 to honor the region’s indigenous population and their legacy. Former President Joe Biden recognized Indigenous Peoples Day in 2021.

City officials previously acted on proposals from local groups and tribal representatives to better reflect indigenous history and place names. A grassroots intertribal committee proposed names for three North Dallas lakes, now known as the Three Sisters Lakes. The individual lakes are named Comanche NʉmʉNahmi Lake, Lipan Apache Mbáti Lake, and Wichita ita:iÊ”h Lake, each meaning “sister” in their respective tribal languages. The naming honors the spiritual connection of Native Americans to water and the historical significance of the land.

Local policy changes followed deliberation at the municipal level. The city council of Dallas passed a resolution to acknowledge Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day amidst discussions and debates among council members. Supporters of the change included voices from the Native American community, emphasizing the significance of honoring indigenous ancestors and history. In the neighboring region, Indigenous Peoples Week in Fort Worth will be initiated on this day as well.

What remains open or available

  • Animal shelter operations remain open despite administrative office closures.
  • Police and fire personnel remain on normal schedules to respond to emergencies.
  • 3-1-1 Customer Help Line remains in operation for service-related calls.
  • Sanitation collections and McCommas Bluff Landfill remain available as scheduled for residential disposal.

Next steps for residents

Residents who need to report water emergencies or other urgent city service issues should call 3-1-1. Municipal court payments can be handled online or by mail. Library patrons should use www.dallaslibrary.org for digital services while branches are closed.


FAQ

Which city facilities will be closed on Monday?

All city offices and libraries in Dallas will be closed on Monday.

Will recreation centers and cultural centers be closed?

All recreation centers, including administrative offices and maintenance facilities, will also be closed. The Office of Arts and Culture administrative offices and several cultural centers (Bath House Cultural Center, Latino Cultural Center, Oak Cliff Cultural Center, South Dallas Cultural Center) will be closed on Monday, reopening on Tuesday.

What is the status of the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House & Museum?

The Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House & Museum will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, resuming normal operations on Wednesday.

Can I still access library materials?

Library services, including audiobooks and streaming music, will still be accessible 24/7 at www.dallaslibrary.org.

Are police, fire, and sanitation services affected?

Administration offices for animal services, police, Dallas Fire-Rescue, and sanitation will be closed, but the animal shelter will remain open. Police and fire personnel will operate on a normal schedule. Sanitation collections, including recycling and garbage collection, will proceed as scheduled.

Will city courts and payments be available?

The city Municipal Court will be closed, but payments can be made online and by mail.

What about water utilities and emergency reporting?

Dallas Water Utilities administrative and customer service offices will be closed; however, customers can report emergencies by calling 3-1-1. The 3-1-1 Customer Help Line will be in operation for service-related calls, including water main breaks and animal control.

Why is the city observing this day?

The city of Dallas officially recognized Indigenous Peoples Day in 2019 to honor the region’s indigenous population and their legacy. Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated every year on the second Monday of October, coinciding with Columbus Day. Columbus Day is a national holiday that was first recognized in 1934 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Former President Joe Biden recognized Indigenous Peoples Day in 2021.

Are banks and post offices open?

Post offices and most banks, such as Chase and Bank of America, will not be open on Monday due to Columbus Day observances. Major retailers, including Walmart and Target, will operate as usual on Monday.

Key features and status

Feature Status
City offices and libraries All city offices and libraries in Dallas will be closed on Monday.
Recreation and cultural centers All recreation centers, including administrative offices and maintenance facilities, will also be closed. Office of Arts and Culture centers closed Monday, reopening Tuesday.
Library digital services Library services, including audiobooks and streaming music, will still be accessible 24/7 at www.dallaslibrary.org.
Public safety Police and fire personnel will operate on a normal schedule; 3-1-1 Customer Help Line will be in operation for service-related calls.
Sanitation and landfill Sanitation collections will proceed as scheduled; The McCommas Bluff Landfill and transfer stations will remain open for residential self-service disposal.
Banks and retailers Post offices and most banks will not be open due to Columbus Day observances; Major retailers, including Walmart and Target, will operate as usual on Monday.
Local recognition The city of Dallas officially recognized Indigenous Peoples Day in 2019 to honor the region’s indigenous population and their legacy.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER

DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

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