Support WBUR
What's open and closed on Juneteenth 2026 in Mass.
Juneteenth falls on a Friday this year. The holiday commemorates the date back in 1865 — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation — when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the end of slavery.
Here's a few events planned to commemorate the holiday around Boston:
- Thursday, June 18 | City of Boston Juneteenth flag raising ceremony in City Hall Plaza from 12 to 2 p.m. There will be remarks from city officials, live music and cultural performances
- Friday, June 19 | The Boston Juneteenth Committee and the Museum of the National Center of Afro American Artists will hold its annual Juneteenth Emancipation Observance in Roxbury. There will be food, vendors, music and performances. The program starts at noon with a flag raising.
- Saturday, June 20 | Annual Juneteenth celebration at Franklin Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This is the fifth year the date has been observed as a federal holiday, which means there are some important details to know about what's open and closed:
Federal offices: Closed.
Federal courts: Closed.
Post offices: Closed.
State offices: Closed.
RMV: Closed.
State courts: Closed.
Municipal offices: Closed.
Public schools: Closed.
Libraries: Closed.
Trash pickup: Check with your local government or provider. Boston residents can check for pickup delays by searching their address here.
Banks: Most banks will be closed. Check with your preferred location for more information.
Stock market: Closed.
Retail locations: Open.
Liquor stores: Open.
Supermarkets: Open.
MBTA: The agency will run all transit on a normal weekday schedule. Since Juneteenth falls on a Friday this year, the commuter rail will be free as part of the agency's Free Summer Fridays promotion.
