Juneteenth 2025, what’s happening in Wellesley and beyond

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It signifies the day–June 19, 1865–on which the last slaves were freed (over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed).

All Town of Wellesley buildings and departments will be closed on Thursday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.

The Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF) and Wellesley Free Library branches will also be closed.

Wellesley Public Schools will be closed on Juneteenth. The last day of classes will be Friday, June 20, a half day. We predict the faculty-student ratio will skew low on student numbers.

Juneteenth is an official federal holiday, so no mail will be delivered, and federal buildings and most banks will be closed.

Local Juneteenth activities include Natick’s public reading of Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, at 10:30am on Natick Common.

The afternoon continues with Natick Center Cultural District’s Juneteenth event on Natick Common from noon–3pm. There will be delicious food, fun activities, and musical performances by Drum Nomads, Crocodile River Music and Squeezebox Stompers. All are welcome!

In Needham there will be a recitation of the Emancipation Proclamation, remarks, and reflection in observance of Juneteenth. The event will be held on Town Common, in front of Town Hall, 1471 Hingham Ave., on Thursday, June 19, at 9:30am.