Major holidays · in 19 days
When is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth 2026 is on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Juneteenth 2026 falls on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States, commemorating June 19, 1865. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
In 2026, it falls in ISO week 25. Need the full year's calendar? See all 2026 weeks, or browse every other date.
At a glance
The history of Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and read federal orders proclaiming that all enslaved people in Texas were free. This was two and a half years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which had little effect in Confederate-controlled Texas until Union troops arrived. Texas made it a state holiday in 1980. After decades of grassroots advocacy, especially from activist Opal Lee, President Joe Biden signed it into law as the eleventh US federal holiday on June 17, 2021.
Also known as: Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day
How Juneteenth is celebrated
Celebrations include parades, family barbecues, prayer services and historical reenactments. Red foods and drinks like strawberry soda and red velvet cake are traditional, symbolising resilience. Many cities host festivals featuring African American art, music and food.
Did you know?
Juneteenth is the most recent addition to the US federal holiday calendar.
Opal Lee, often called "the grandmother of Juneteenth", walked from Texas to Washington at age 89 to push for federal recognition.
Texas was the first state to make it an official holiday in 1980.
Juneteenth in upcoming years
How the date is set
Always June 19.
Sources & further reading
For more detail on Juneteenth, see these references.
Related dates
Juneteenth: questions and answers
When is Juneteenth 2026?
Juneteenth 2026 falls on Friday, June 19, 2026.
What day of the week is Juneteenth this year?
In 2026, Juneteenth is a Friday, June 19.
How is the date of Juneteenth determined?
Always June 19.
Where is Juneteenth observed?
Juneteenth is observed in United States. Other countries may mark a similar day on a different date.