Is the DMV open on Juneteenth? Yes, here's what else is in Pensacola, Florida

On June 19, 1865, the last enslaved Black people were finally told they were free. The date came 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the Civil War ended.
In celebration of Black freedom in the United States, we celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day or the Second Independence Day.
Former President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. Now, it makes up one of 11 federal holidays observed every year. Thursday is only the fifth year that Juneteenth has been a federal holiday.
Currently, only about half of the states recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday, excluding Florida. Florida state law designates Juneteenth as a day of observance, instead of a holiday.
All non-essential federal government buildings will be closed, but what about the stock market, DMV and local grocery stores?
Here's what we know.
Watson Family Foundation's 4th annual Juneteenth: A Family Reunion for the Culture Festival
The free event took place June 14 at Museum Plaza, featuring live entertainment including a performance from "Da Hawg," games, bounce houses, a sweet potato pie contest, domino and spades tournaments, line dancing, food, vendors selling art and African clothing and more.
Juneteenth Celebration at the University of West Florida
Presented by the Black Employees Association, the UWF Juneteenth celebration on June 16 featured speakers, history presentations, live musical performances, food and more, at the UWF Commons Auditorium.
Bruce Beach Kayak Tour: Journey to Juneteenth
9:30 a.m. to noon, June 18, 601 W. Main St. Hosted by the UWF Archaeology Institute and the Florida Public Archaeology Network, those with their own kayaks are invited to join on a free tour of Bruce Beach near the historic Tanyard neighborhood, long a home for Black and Creole folks, as well as immigrants and others.
Though there is no cost, tickets are required and can be acquired at eventbrite.com
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade
The 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade will take place at 10 a.m. June 19 in downtown Pensacola after the original January showcase was cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions when the area was hit with a historic snow storm. The theme is 'One Team - One Dream.'
Five Sisters' Blues Cafe Juneteenth Celebration
11 a.m. to 9 p.m., June 19, 421 W. Belmont St., in the heart of the historic Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood − a historic neighborhood known for its African American history, music, food and culture. Chef Josh Rich will present a menu featuring barbecued fried ribs, Southern catfish bites, and more.
For more details, visit fivesistersbluescafe.com.
UnityFest 2025
A Community Celebration of Freedom, noon to 4 p.m., June 19, Adoration for a New Beginning Church, 920 W. Government St. A celebration of African American culture for all, featuring live music, a kids zone, free food and more.
Details can be found on the Unity Fest 2025 Facebook events page.
Gallery Night - Juneteenth: The Art of Freedom
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 20, Palafox Place. More than 70 art vendors will line the street during the festive monthly street celebration, along with music, food and more with a focus on Juneteenth and African American culture. For more, visit gallerynightpensacola.org.
More: Juneteenth in Pensacola will be celebration for all, with festivals, food and unity
Yes. Former President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. It is one of 11 federal holidays observed every year. The others are:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
Washington's Birthday/Presidents Day
Memorial Day
July 4
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas Day
Juneteenth will be celebrated on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Juneteenth marks the day, June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved Black people in the United States were finally told — 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the Civil War ended — that they were free.
The first Juneteenth celebration was held in Galveston the very next year, in 1866. Early celebrations were smaller, subdued affairs amid renewed calls for racial segregation and the rise of racial violence, lynchings and Jim Crow laws in the state and across the South.
It wasn't until the civil rights protests of the 1960s and 70s many decades later when Juneteenth was finally celebrated in a big way as an act of defiance and pride, and it gained new prominence in 2020 after the police murder of George Floyd, a Black man, sparked protests across the country against police brutality, according to USA TODAY.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday, not an official state one. For federal workers it's a paid holiday and nonessential federal workers will have the day off, although some businesses offer it as a paid day for their employees.
Only about half of the states in the U.S. recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday, although more are considering it.
Some Florida county commissions and city councils have declared Juneteenth a recognized holiday and closed offices.
'Juneteenth' is a portmanteau, combining the words 'June' and 'nineteenth,' the day Granger issued the proclamation to more than 250,000 formerly enslaved people in Galveston Bay, Texas.
Yes, major grocery stores will be open Thursday, June 19:
Publix: Publix will be open on June 19. The supermarket closes only for three holidays during the year: Easter, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
Walmart: Open regular hours
The Fresh Market: Open regular hours
ALDI: Open regular hours. Stores are closed on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, ALDI operates on limited store hours.
Winn-Dixie: Open regular hours
Target: Open regular hours
Ever'man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe: Open regular hours
BJ's Wholesale Club: Open regular hours
Juneteenth is a federal holiday. All non-essential federal offices will be closed.
Postal service retail locations will be closed Thursday and there will be no regular mail delivery except for holiday premium Priority Mail Express, the United States Post Office said in a release.
UPS Store locations will be open on June 19, according to the company's holiday schedule, and UPS pickup and delivery services will be available.
All FedEx offices will be open on June 19 and all services will be available, the company website says.
Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve bank holiday, according to Bankrate.com. The Federal Reserve is the organization that regulates the nation's banking system.
Banks aren't required to close for Federal Reserve holidays, but they generally do. Check with your local bank or credit union to check their hours.
Online banking services and ATMs will still be available, but any transactions made during on June 19 won't be posted until the next business day.
The New York Stock Exchange is closed on federal holidays and will be closed on Juneteenth, according to its website.
Yes. All Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles locations will be open, according to the holiday schedule.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Juneteenth holiday in Pensacola. Is Publix open? How to celebrate

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