Any student of American history knows that there are hard truths to ponder about our past. Slavery certainly falls into this category. Today (Thursday, June 19, 2025), the United States commemorates the end of that horrific institution and wrestles with its lasting impact. As this occasion has only been formally established as a federal holiday since 2021, it may be confusing to know what will be open and closed. Let’s take a deeper look so you can plan ahead.
A brief history of Juneteenth
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.
The holiday is always held on June 19 because this is the anniversary of the day that federal troops reached Galveston, Texas, in 1865. Under the leadership of General Gordon Granger, troops took control of the state and made sure that enslaved people were freed in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, which was enacted two and a half years prior.
Although celebrations of the holiday date back to 1866, the landmark day did not become a federal holiday until 2021 under President Biden.
Are banks open on Juneteenth?
No. Juneteenth is considered a bank holiday. The Federal Reserve along with most major banks such as Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo will be closed.
Are ATMs open on Juneteenth?
Yes. If you find yourself in a bind and need to complete some transactions on Juneteenth, ATMs located outside branches and online banking are available.
Is the post office open on Juneteenth?
No. The U.S. Postal Service locations are not open on the holiday. If you need to buy stamps, some grocery or convenience stores sell them. Additionally, you can buy them online at www.usps.com.
Is mail delivered on Juneteenth?
No. You will not receive letters or written invitations sent through the mail on Juneteenth. The silver lining of this is that you won’t get any paper bills either. The only exception is Priority Mail Express, which is delivered 365 days a year, including federal holidays.
Are FedEx and UPS operating on Juneteenth?
Yes. According to its website, UPS is open for business as usual on Juneteenth. This includes store locations and deliveries. The same can be said for FedEx locations and deliveries.
Is the stock market open on Juneteenth?
No. It’s not possible to buy or sell stocks on Juneteenth. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq exchange are closed for the day. You can still trade Bitcoin to your heart’s content.
Are schools open on Juneteenth?
No. Because Juneteenth falls during the summer holiday, most schools are out of session already. Check in with your local summer camps or year-round institutions to double check how they are handling the holiday.
Are restaurants, pharmacies, and grocery stores open on Juneteenth?
Yes. Speaking in general terms, most retail locations will be open on Juneteenth. Target, Costco, and Aldi will all remain open. Olive Garden will serve its famous breadsticks.
Major pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens will be open, although they might be operating under limited hours—so check your local pharmacy hours to be sure.
Smaller mom-and-pop shops, meanwhile, might close for the day, so it is a good practice to double check those.