Columbus Day celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas. On this day, most businesses and schools are closed in several parts of the country. Parades and large activities are held, and the day was initially marked in San Francisco in 1869 as a celebration of Italian-American ancestry. This is the ideal time for a weekend getaway excursion, whether you're looking for Columbus Day parades, local events, or simply an opportunity to relax in nature, this is the ideal time to go on a weekend getaway. Because it is a long weekend, many airlines are offering discounted Columbus Day flights.