Your Ultimate Guide to Juneteenth 2025: What’s Open, What’s Closed, and the True Meaning of America’s Newest Federal Holiday

 

Every year, Americans mark their calendars for major federal holidays, planning for a day off from work, school, and the usual daily grind. But in recent years, a new date has been added to that national calendar, one with deep historical roots and profound significance: Juneteenth. As awareness grows, so do the practical questions. Is today a holiday? When is Juneteenth? Are banks closed? Is the stock market open? Does the mail run? You have questions, and this guide has the definitive answers for 2025.

From my experience researching American history and culture, Juneteenth is far more than just a day off. It’s a celebration of freedom, a commemoration of a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, and a powerful symbol of resilience. This ultimate guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Juneteenth 2025. We will explore its rich history, explain its status as a federal holiday, and provide a clear, detailed breakdown of what is open and closed—from banks and stock markets to post offices and private businesses.

The Core Question: What is Juneteenth and When is it Celebrated?

Before we dive into what’s open and closed, it’s essential to understand what we are celebrating.

• What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth (a portmanteau of “June” and “nineteenth”) is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, or Emancipation Day.
• When is Juneteenth 2025? The holiday is celebrated annually on June 19th. In 2025, Juneteenth falls on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

The Deeper History: Why June 19th?

Many people wonder why this date is so significant, especially when President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was issued over two years earlier, on January 1, 1863. The answer lies in the slow, difficult process of enforcing that freedom.

The Emancipation Proclamation technically freed enslaved people in the Confederate states, but it could not be enforced in places still under Confederate control. Texas, as the most remote of the slave states, had a low presence of Union troops, so slavery had continued there largely uninterrupted.

It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, two months after the Civil War had effectively ended, that Union troops led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas. It was there that General Granger read General Order No. 3, which began:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.”

That day, the news of freedom finally reached the last bastion of slavery in the former Confederacy. The celebrations that erupted among the newly freed African Americans in Galveston were the very first Juneteenth celebrations, a tradition that has been carried on for over 150 years.

Juneteenth Becomes a Federal Holiday

For more than a century, Juneteenth was primarily celebrated by African American communities, particularly in Texas. It was a day of community gatherings, prayer, festivals, and food. While it became an official state holiday in Texas in 1980, it took many more decades of advocacy to achieve national recognition.

That moment finally came on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making June 19th the eleventh official federal holiday in the United States. This act gave the day a new level of national significance and is the reason why federal services are now closed in observance.

Juneteenth 2025: Your Comprehensive “Open & Closed” Guide

So, is today a holiday? If “today” is Thursday, June 19, 2025, then yes, it is a major federal holiday. This status has a direct impact on many services. Here’s a detailed breakdown.

Are banks closed on Juneteenth?

This is one of the most common questions asked.

• The short answer: Yes.
• The long answer: Because Juneteenth is a federal holiday, the U.S. Federal Reserve System is closed. The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States, and when it’s closed, most other financial institutions close as well. This includes major national banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank, as well as most local banks and credit unions.
• What is still available? While physical bank branches will be closed, you can still access your money and conduct transactions through ATMs, online banking portals, and mobile banking apps. However, be aware that electronic transfers (like ACH) may be delayed by one business day.

Is the stock market open on Juneteenth?

For investors and traders, this is a critical piece of information.

• The short answer: No.
• The long answer: The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ observe all official U.S. government holidays. Therefore, the U.S. stock and bond markets are closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in observance of Juneteenth. They will reopen for normal trading on Friday, June 20, 2025.

Is there mail delivery on Juneteenth? (USPS, FedEx, UPS)

This is where the answer gets more nuanced, as it depends on the carrier.

Service	Status on Juneteenth (June 19, 2025)	Reasoning
United States Postal Service (USPS)	CLOSED.	The USPS is a federal agency and observes all federal holidays. There will be no regular mail delivery, and post office locations will be closed.
FedEx	OPEN.	FedEx is a private company and generally operates on Juneteenth. All major services, including Express and Ground, are expected to be running.
UPS	OPEN.	Like FedEx, UPS is a private company that sets its own holiday schedule. UPS pickup and delivery services will be available, and UPS Store locations will be open.

What else is closed on Juneteenth?

• Federal Government Offices: All non-essential federal offices, including the Social Security Administration and the IRS, will be closed.
• State and Local Governments: This varies. Most states and many cities now officially recognize Juneteenth, so their offices (like the DMV) and courts will likely be closed. It’s best to check your local government’s website.
• Schools: Most K-12 public schools and colleges are already on summer break by mid-June. For any schools that operate on a year-round schedule, they will be closed for the holiday.

What is generally open on Juneteenth?

• Most Retail Stores: Major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco, as well as grocery stores and pharmacies, are almost always open on Juneteenth. They may operate on reduced hours, so it’s a good idea to call ahead or check online.
• Restaurants and Entertainment: The vast majority of restaurants, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues remain open to serve customers who have the day off.