Investors across the United States will see a pause in market activity on Friday, June 19, as major financial markets observe the Juneteenth federal holiday.
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will remain closed throughout the day, while the US bond market will also suspend trading in accordance with recommendations issued by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA).
Normal trading activity across equity and bond markets is scheduled to resume on Monday, June 22.
Why Are US Markets Closed Today?
The closure is in observance of Juneteenth, a federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth became an official federal holiday in 2021 and has since been recognised annually across the country. Often referred to as “America’s Second Independence Day,” the occasion honours the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and serves as an important moment of reflection on the nation’s history.
The holiday traces its roots to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, accompanied by approximately 2,000 Union soldiers. He announced that enslaved people in Texas were free, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
The delay occurred because enforcement of emancipation depended on the advance of Union troops across Confederate territories during the Civil War.
When Will Wall Street Reopen?
Following the Juneteenth holiday, US stock markets will reopen on Monday, June 22.
Once trading resumes, Wall Street is expected to operate without any scheduled interruptions until early July.
The next planned market closure will be on Friday, July 3, when exchanges observe the Independence Day holiday, as July 4 falls on a Saturday in 2026.
Remaining US Stock Market Holidays In 2026
The remaining market holidays for 2026 are:
- Juneteenth — Friday, June 19
- Independence Day (Observed) — Friday, July 3
- Labour Day — Monday, September 7
- Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, November 26
- Christmas Day — Friday, December 25
How Holiday Closures Work On Wall Street
US stock exchanges generally follow a standard holiday observance schedule when fixed-date holidays fall on weekends.
- If a holiday falls on a Saturday, markets typically close on the preceding Friday.
- If a holiday falls on a Sunday, markets observe the holiday on the following Monday.
One notable exception is New Year’s Day. When January 1 falls on a Saturday, Wall Street does not move the holiday to the previous Friday, allowing markets to remain open.
Special Market Closures
Apart from scheduled holidays, US financial markets can occasionally close for extraordinary events.
These include National Days of Mourning declared in honour of current or former US presidents. Such closures are typically aligned with state funeral proceedings and are announced separately by market authorities.
For investors, the Juneteenth holiday provides a brief pause before markets return to focus on economic data, corporate earnings, Federal Reserve policy signals and broader market trends heading into the second half of the year.