Did you know Thursday is a holiday? Here’s what will be open, closed for Juneteenth
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- Federal, state and Sedgwick County offices close Thursday for Juneteenth observance
- Wichita city facilities, including City Hall, libraries and museums, will be closed
- Retail stores and outdoor amenities such as parks and pools will stay open
Wichita may seem a little quieter than usual Thursday. Mailboxes will sit empty, banks and credit unions will be dark and many city facilities will close.
It’s not just any Thursday — June 19 is Juneteenth, a day of reflection, celebration and, increasingly, a day when business as usual hits pause.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, more than 150 years ago. Dozens of government offices, local businesses and other services will be closed Thursday for the annual observance, which was designated as a federal holiday in 2021 and a state holiday in 2023.
Here’s a list of some of the Wichita-based services and businesses that will close Thursday.
Federal and state closures
Most non-essential federal and state government offices and services will be closed Thursday. That includes the United States Postal Service, United States District Court, the Social Security Administration and the Kansas State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Sedgwick County closures
All Sedgwick County offices will be closed Thursday, according to a Facebook post made by the county. Emergency services will continue to be available. That includes the Sedgwick County Tag Office, Sedgwick County Health Department and Brooks Landfill
Wichita city closures, services
According to a city of Wichita press release, several city facilities will be closed, including City Hall and all of its departments, neighborhood resource centers, Wichita Transit and Paratransit services, public libraries, city recreation and community centers and more.
Wichita attractions such as the Mid-America All-Indian Museum, Cowtown, Wichita Art Museum, CityArts and Great Plains Nature Center will also be closed.
What Wichita services are open?
Botanica, Wichita Public Golf courses, city pools, the Wichita Animal Services animal shelter, O.J. Watson Park and Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center will remain open and will operate under regular hours.
These shopping venues will be open
Large retailers, like Walmart, Target, Dillons and Costco, will remain open during the holiday. Most private businesses, including grocery and liquor stores, are also expected to remain open, though some may reduce or modify hours.
Town East Square will maintain its regular hours Thursday.
Wichita State University also will close
Wichita State University, the Ulrich Museum of Art and WSU Tech will close offices.
This story was originally published June 18, 2025 at 2:56 PM.