Juneteenth 2026 falls on Friday, June 19. It is a United States federal holiday — officially "Juneteenth National Independence Day" — that commemorates the end of slavery in the US.
What is Juneteenth?
On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The name "Juneteenth" blends June and nineteenth.
Is Juneteenth a holiday in 2026?
Yes. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. On June 19, 2026 (Friday), federal offices, banks and many businesses are closed. Most US states also observe it. See the United States holiday calendar and 2026 US public holidays.
How is Juneteenth celebrated?
With parades, family cookouts, music and educational events. Red foods and drinks (red velvet cake, strawberry soda, watermelon) are traditional, symbolising resilience.