When is Juneteenth? Who gets the day off work and school in Idaho?
Juneteenth is just around the corner.
The holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is observed nationwide each year.
Is Juneteenth considered a state holiday in Idaho? Who gets the day off work or school?
Here’s what to know about Juneteenth in 2026:
Is Juneteenth a state holiday in Idaho?
Juneteenth is included on Idaho’s list of state holidays, according to the Idaho Secretary of State’s website.
Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, by former President Joe Biden.
Gov. Brad Little formally recognized Juneteenth as an Idaho state holiday in a proclamation issued on the same day.
“All Idahoans honor the countless contributions made by African Americans to our state and our nation,” Little wrote in the proclamation. “Juneteenth marks the celebration of not just a moment in the past but also a renewed shared commitment to uniting as Americans to ensure equality and opportunity are a reality for all Americans, in the present and the future.”
What does Juneteenth celebrate?
Juneteenth is “one of the oldest known commemorations related to the abolition of slavery in the United States,” according to the National Park Service.
The federal holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, became aware of their freedom, two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth is celebrated across the country with community gatherings, parades, educational events, family reunions and cultural traditions.
According to the National Park Service, many celebrations also feature red-colored foods and drinks, a tradition rooted in West African cultural practices and symbolism.
“Juneteenth is an important date on the timeline of slavery history in the United States,” the National Park Service said.
When is Juneteenth in 2026?
Juneteenth is observed annually on June 19.
In 2026, the holiday falls on Friday, June 19, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Do Idaho state workers get Juneteenth off?
Idaho state employees get a paid day off on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.
However, if the holiday falls on a Saturday, it’s observed on the preceding Friday. This will happen on Juneteenth in 2027.
When state-observed holidays fall on a Sunday, the observance is on the following Monday.
Do workers in Boise area get Juneteenth off?
Whether employees of private businesses have Juneteenth — Friday, June 19 — as a paid day off largely depends on their employer.
Federal employees get the day off because Juneteenth is a federal holiday.
The city of Boise’s offices will also closed for Juneteenth.
A majority of government offices in communities neighboring Boise will be closed in observance of the holiday including Caldwell, Garden City, Meridian. Nampa and Star. However, city offices in Kuna and Eagle will remain open on Friday.
Idaho law does not require employers to provide employees with paid days off for holidays or to offer holiday pay for working on holidays.
Holidays “are matters for agreement between the employer and the employee or their authorized representative,” the Idaho Department of Labor said in a labor law guide.
What’s closed for Juneteenth 2026?
In Idaho, many government offices will be closed for Juneteenth on Friday, June 16 — including the U.S. Postal Service, the Social Services Administration and the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles.
Most banks will also be closed.
Boise State University observes Juneteenth as a holiday, closing university offices and canceling classes.
Holiday hours at privately owned businesses can vary by location, so check with your local store before heading out.
This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 11:20 AM with the headline "When is Juneteenth? Who gets the day off work and school in Idaho?."
