10 hours ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Juneteenth 2025: What's open and closed in California
As California and the Bay Area prepare to observe Juneteenth on Thursday, residents can expect closures across many government services while most commercial businesses remain open.
The day, which became a federal holiday in 2021, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and has grown in national prominence over the past several years.
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, proclaiming that all enslaved African Americans in the state were free.
Though President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect more than two years earlier, it could not be enforced in Confederate-held areas until Union troops arrived.
While many Americans now have the day off, the landscape of what remains open and closed is a patchwork — especially across California.
Are banks open on Juneteenth 2025?
Major U.S. banks — including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank and PNC — will shutter their branches on Thursday in accordance with the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar.
Capital One Cafés, however, plan to remain open.
Online banking services and ATMs will still be operational. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be suspended for the day.
Will mail and shipping services operate on Juneteenth?
UPS and FedEx will operate on normal schedules. Both companies confirmed they will offer regular pickup and delivery services, and their respective store locations will be open. Customers are advised to check with local branches for specific hours.
Which government offices are closed for Juneteenth?
All federal offices, including immigration services, Social Security offices and the Internal Revenue Service, will be closed.
In California, most state offices — such as the Department of Motor Vehicles — will remain open. While Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday, it is not a paid day off for state employees, though they may choose to use a personal day to observe it.
Many city and county offices in the Bay Area will close for the day, including most courthouses and public libraries. Residents planning to attend to any local governmental business are urged to check in advance.
Trash and recycling pickup services will operate on a normal schedule in most Bay Area cities. Residents should place their bins out as usual unless notified otherwise by their local waste management provider.
Is public transit running on Juneteenth in the Bay Area?
Transit services will continue without interruption. BART and Caltrain both confirmed that they will operate on normal weekday schedules.
Are stores and grocery chains open on Juneteenth?
Most retail outlets and grocery chains will be open during regular business hours.
Target, Costco, Trader Joe's, Walmart and Safeway will all remain open.
CVS will be operating, although some pharmacies may reduce their hours. Walgreens will keep stores open, but most pharmacies will be closed, except for 24-hour locations.
Major retail chains such as Macy's, Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's also plan to operate as usual.
Local businesses and restaurants are likely to remain open, though hours may vary. Customers are advised to call ahead or check websites.
Will schools be closed on Juneteenth?
Most public schools are closed for summer break. Where schools remain in session, public institutions will generally observe the federal holiday. Policies may vary for private schools and universities.
Are national parks open on Juneteenth 2025?
In honor of Juneteenth, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees to all national parks.
Visitors can enjoy complimentary access to over 400 national park sites across the country, including Bay Area favorites like Muir Woods and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday?
Juneteenth, long commemorated by Black communities, was made a federal holiday in 2021 amid a renewed focus on racial justice. It has been described as America's second Independence Day.
Despite growing recognition, not all states provide a paid day off for government workers.
According to a 2023 Pew Research report, 28 states and Washington, D.C., recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday.
