Juneteenth in Tucson: What’s Open, What’s Closed, and What to Expect

Juneteenth, a federal holiday marking the arrival of Union troops in Galveston Bay, Texas, on June 19, 1865, celebrates the announcement of freedom to over 250,000 enslaved individuals—more than a year after the Emancipation Proclamation. This significant day acknowledges a pivotal moment in American history.

The 55th annual Tucson Juneteenth Festival is set to take place on Saturday, June 14, at Kino Sports Complex from 5 PM to 10 PM. Attendees can expect live entertainment, a variety of vendors, a car show, and a designated kid zone offering free toys, along with food trucks.

This year’s festival holds special significance as Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs will be the first sitting governor to participate, addressing the attendees alongside local leaders such as Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott and former Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, who is running for Congress.

Juneteenth falls on a Thursday this year, leading to closures for city offices, banks, credit unions, and federal institutions. However, Tucson’s trash and recycling services will continue as usual, and the Los Reales Sustainability Campus will remain open.

While U.S. Postal Service offices will close with no regular delivery service, Holiday Premium Priority Mail Express and Same Day Package Delivery will still operate. The Pima County Public Library will be open during regular hours, ensuring access to the community.

On Juneteenth, Sun Tran buses and streetcars will maintain their regular schedules, including Sun Van shuttles. However, the University of Arizona and Pima County college campuses will be closed, along with all schools and district offices, including summer school programs. Notably, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division will operate as usual, while U.S. stock exchanges and bond markets will observe the holiday with closures.