On June 19, many Wisconsinites will once again gather to celebrate Juneteenth.
Along with recognizing the end of slavery, Juneteenth celebrates the culture and heritage of African Americans and honors ongoing advocacy for racial justice and equity. The day is a federal holiday, meaning some businesses and services will be closed in Wisconsin.
Here’s a guide to what is open and closed on the upcoming holiday:
When is Juneteenth 2025?
Juneteenth is always celebrated on June 19. This year, it falls on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?
Yes, Juneteenth is a federal holiday.
Though Juneteenth celebrations in Milwaukee date back to the 1970s, the day was only designated as a federal holiday in 2021 by then-President Joe Biden.
Is the post office open on Juneteenth in Wisconsin?
Post offices will be closed for retail and there will be no residential or business mail delivered on June 19, according to the U.S. Postal Service’s website. Priority Mail Express is available 365 days a year, including federal holidays.
Which stores are open on Juneteenth 2025 in Wisconsin?
Most businesses and grocery stores will remain open on Juneteenth, but you should double check with your local store before heading out on the holiday.
According to USA TODAY, these stores will remain open on June 19:
Are banks open on Juneteenth 2025?
According to USA TODAY, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Truist, CitiBank, JPMorgan Chase and Capitol One will be closed on Juneteenth.
What is the origin of Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union Army soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to tell the last remaining enslaved people in the U.S. that they were free.
The announcement, which was more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect in 1863, came late to Texas because of the remoteness of the state and because Confederate troops in Texas were still fighting to uphold slavery, according to Juneteenth Milwaukee.
Where to find Juneteenth celebrations in Wisconsin:
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: These Wisconsin grocery stores and businesses will still be open on Juneteenth 2025
Reporting by Maia Pandey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
