Juneteenth is Friday, June 19.
The Juneteenth holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, combining the words “June” and “nineteenth.” The holiday seeks to symbolize freedom, achievement and the perseverance of African Americans throughout history.
It was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the U.S. on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act” into law. Most celebrations include parades, barbecues, music performances, and various public and private events that honor African American culture and heritage.
Here’s everything you need to know about the holiday, including what will be open and what will be closed in Palm Beach County.
What is Juneteenth?
Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in the United States as of Jan. 1, 1863.
But it was left up to slaveowners to tell their enslaved people about their new freedom, and many of them simply ignored it since, at the time, it couldn’t be enforced in secessionist states under Confederate control, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It took nearly 2½ years, with many people still enslaved, until Union Major General Gordon Granger assured the newly freed residents of Galveston, Texas, that Union troops would enforce it.
The first Juneteenth celebration to mark the date was held in Galveston the very next year, in 1866, and it spread as African Americans migrated away from the South. But many white people mocked it.
After Reconstruction ended, Juneteenth and Florida’s own Emancipation Day celebrations were smaller, subdued affairs amid renewed calls for racial segregation and the rise of racial violence, lynchings and Jim Crow laws in the state and across the South. It wasn’t until the civil rights protests of the 1960s and 70s, many decades later, that Juneteenth and Emancipation Day were finally celebrated in a big way as an act of defiance and pride, according to James Schnur’s history of the holidays on TheGabber.com.
Is Juneteenth a federal holiday?
Yes. Juneteenth is a federal holiday and has been since 2021. See all 11 federal holidays:
Is Juneteenth a Florida state holiday?
While Juneteenth is a federal holiday, only about half of the states recognize it as an official holiday.
Florida, along with states like California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and more than two dozen others, doesn’t officially recognize the holiday and doesn’t list it on official calendars as a paid holiday.
However, it was one of three states in the 1990s to commemorate Juneteenth as a day of observance, and some county commissions and city councils have independently declared Juneteenth a recognized holiday and closed offices.
Are Florida government offices open on Juneteenth?
All non-essential federal government offices are closed on June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday.
Since it’s not a state holiday, Florida state offices will remain open. Some local government and law enforcement offices may choose to close.
Are banks open on Juneteenth in Florida?
Most banks follow the Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule and close for Juneteenth. The largest banks in Florida, such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase Bank, Regions Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co, and Truist, will be closed, as will credit unions such as Suncoast and Space Coast.
ATMs and ATM branches will continue to operate normally.
Will the DMV be open on Juneteenth?
Yes, the DMV will remain open.
Will I get mail on Juneteenth?
Mostly, no. All U.S. post offices will be closed and there will be no regular mail delivery.
However, you may still get deliveries as FedEx and UPS will be open and offering their usual services.
Can I go to Publix or Chick-Fil-A? Will stores, restaurants close for Juneteenth?
Publix is only closed on three days a year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Publix locations will be open normal hours.
And most stores and restaurants will likely be open Friday for regular hours. Some chains might offer employees the option to take a day off or receive holiday pay, but their locations should remain open during normal hours.
You may want to call local stores or restaurants you plan to visit to ask if they’ll be open.
When is Juneteenth 2027? What date is Juneteenth next year?
In 2027, Juneteenth will fall on Saturday, June 19. It will be observed on Friday, June 18.
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What’s closed on Juneteenth 2026 in Palm Beach County? Is Publix open?
Reporting by Samantha Neely and Laura Lordi, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Samantha Neely and Laura Lordi, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
