Yes, Juneteenth is a state holiday in Wisconsin, but that answer needs a qualifier. Wisconsin Statutes § 995.20 lists June 19 as a legal holiday, and Juneteenth is also a federal holiday. What it is not, under current Wisconsin law, is one of the paid holidays that closes state government offices. Those two designations do different work, and the practical effect on your day depends on which one you’re asking about.1Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Statutes 995.20 – Legal Holidays
What Legal Holiday Status Actually Does
Section 995.20 lists every legal holiday recognized in Wisconsin, and “the day of observation for Juneteenth Day” appears on that list.1Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Statutes 995.20 – Legal Holidays That status carries specific legal consequences. Elections cannot be scheduled on the date. Court filing deadlines and legal notice deadlines can shift because of it. When June 19 falls on a Sunday, the following Monday serves as the legal holiday.
What § 995.20 does not do is require any state office to close or guarantee any employee a paid day off. Those questions are governed by a different statute.
Why State Offices Aren’t Required to Close
Paid state holidays and office closures come from Wisconsin Statutes § 230.35(4)(a). That section lists nine holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Juneteenth is not on that list.2Wisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin Statutes 230.35(4)(a)
The Wisconsin Division of Personnel Management’s official state holidays page reflects the same nine paid holidays, without Juneteenth.3State of Wisconsin Division of Personnel Management. State Holidays Bills have been introduced to add Juneteenth to the paid-holiday list, but as of 2026 those changes have not been enacted. So most state government offices are not required to close on June 19, and state employees do not automatically receive a paid day off under current law. Individual agencies or collective bargaining agreements may provide it, but no statewide mandate does.
The Federal Holiday Layer
Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed into law.4Congress.gov. Public Law 117-17 – Juneteenth National Independence Day Act The law added “Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19” to 5 U.S.C. § 6103.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 5 USC 6103 – Holidays
For Wisconsin residents, federal status is what closes most of what people actually notice. All federal offices in the state close, including Social Security Administration offices and federal courthouses. Federal employees receive a paid day off. When June 19 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed; on a Sunday, the following Monday. In 2026, June 19 lands on a Friday, so no adjustment applies.
What Closes and What Stays Open on June 19
Wisconsin circuit courts. Despite Juneteenth’s absence from § 230.35, the state’s circuit courts close statewide on June 19. The 2026 Circuit Court Closure Schedule marks every county as “closed all day.”6Wisconsin Court System. 2026 Circuit Court Closure Schedule If you have a filing deadline on June 19, plan to file the business day before. Clerk offices will not process documents that day.
Banks and financial markets. Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve holiday, so bank branches close for in-person service. ATMs and online banking stay available. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq also close, so no equity trading takes place.7NYSE. Holidays and Trading Hours
Mail and package delivery. The U.S. Postal Service treats Juneteenth as a holiday. Regular mail delivery stops, though Priority Mail Express and certain package services continue.8United States Postal Service. Operations Policy for the Juneteenth Day Holiday UPS and FedEx generally maintain normal operations.
Municipal services. Trash and recycling policies vary by city and county. Some municipalities delay pickup by one day when a route falls on a recognized holiday; others don’t. Check your local government’s website or your hauler before the week of June 19.
Schools. Most public schools in Wisconsin are already on summer break by June 19, so the holiday rarely touches the school calendar.
Private Employers and Time Off
No Wisconsin or federal law requires private employers to give workers time off or extra pay for Juneteenth. Whether you get the day depends on your employer’s policies or any collective bargaining agreement covering your workplace. Most retail stores, restaurants, and grocery stores stay open. Some larger employers have added Juneteenth to their paid holiday calendars since 2021, but practice varies widely by company and industry.