You’ve got a package that absolutely has to go out, or maybe you're stalking the tracking number for that dress you ordered for next weekend. Then you realize it’s June 19th. Juneteenth. Now you're stuck wondering if the mail carrier is going to swing by or if the local branch is just a dark building with a locked door.
Honestly, the short answer is no. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is closed on Juneteenth.
Since Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, it joined the ranks of Christmas and Thanksgiving. That means the post office takes the day off. In 2026, Juneteenth (June 19) falls on a Friday, which basically creates a long weekend for postal workers and a bit of a shipping headache for you if you aren't prepared.
Are the post offices open on Juneteenth for any services?
Don't expect to walk up to a counter and buy stamps. Retail lobbies are shuttered.
There is one tiny exception to the "no mail" rule: Priority Mail Express. USPS typically delivers this premium, high-cost service 365 days a year, even on major holidays. But for your standard letters, magazines, and Amazon hauls? Those are staying put in the sorting facility until Saturday.
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What about the self-service kiosks?
Most post offices have those automated kiosks in the outer lobby. Usually, the outer doors stay unlocked even when the staff is gone. You can weigh a package and print a label there. Just keep in mind that even if you drop that package into the blue bin inside the lobby, it isn’t moving anywhere until the next business day.
It's basically sitting in a box until Saturday morning.
UPS and FedEx: The loop-hole you might need
Unlike the post office, private companies like UPS and FedEx don’t always follow the federal holiday calendar to the letter.
- UPS: Usually stays open. They typically offer normal pickup and delivery services on June 19th.
- FedEx: Most of their services—Ground, Express, and Home Delivery—run like it’s a normal Friday.
If you have a shipping emergency on Juneteenth 2026, don't even bother driving to the post office. Head to a UPS Store or a FedEx Office location instead. They’ll be happy to take your money and your box.
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Why this holiday feels different for mail
For a long time, the USPS holiday schedule was set in stone. We all knew the "Big Ten" holidays. When President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, it added an 11th day to that list.
The first year (2021) was actually super confusing. The law was signed on June 17, and Juneteenth was June 19. The USPS had to scramble because they already had millions of pieces of mail in the system and schedules set. They didn't actually close that first year because it was such short notice. But since 2022, they've been fully aligned with the federal government.
Dealing with the "Holiday Lag"
When Friday is a holiday, the "lag" is real.
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If you send something on Wednesday, June 17, it might make it out before the shutdown. If it doesn't, it spends Friday and potentially Sunday sitting still. This can add two full days to your delivery estimate.
Pro-tips for the June 19th shutdown:
- Check the blue boxes: Don't trust the pickup times on the blue collection boxes on the street. If the post office is closed, they aren't emptying those boxes.
- PO Box access: Most lobbies remain open so you can check your PO Box, but no new mail will be placed in it on Friday.
- Online labels: Use the USPS website to print postage at home. It won't make the mail move faster, but it saves you a trip once the doors open back up on Saturday.
The bottom line for 2026
Since June 19, 2026, is a Friday, the post office will be closed. Regular mail delivery resumes on Saturday, June 20. If you are waiting on something critical, plan for it to arrive a day or two later than the "usual" window.
If you need to get ahead of the delay, your best bet is to ship everything by the Tuesday or Wednesday of that week. Otherwise, just settle in and enjoy the holiday—your mail will still be there on Saturday.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Ship by June 16: To ensure your package clears the local hub before the Friday closure, get it in the mail by Tuesday evening.
- Verify UPS/FedEx local hours: While these companies generally stay open, some independent "mom and pop" shipping centers may choose to close for the holiday.
- Use Click-N-Ship: If you must prep a package on Juneteenth, use the USPS online portal to pay for postage so you can just drop it off Saturday morning without waiting in the inevitable post-holiday line.