what’s open – On Juneteenth, Friday’s public operations in Washington, D.C., and surrounding Maryland and Virginia range from special transit schedules to widespread office and facility closures—while some outdoor spaces and key emergency services stay open.
Friday morning in the Washington area looks different for families and commuters planning around the Juneteenth holiday. Congress designated June 19—Juneteenth—as the 12th federal holiday in 2021, and most local governments across the D.C. region also observe it.
The day is rooted in a moment from 1865. when a Union general arrived in Galveston. Texas. to tell enslaved African Americans they were free and the Civil War had ended. In communities where that history is marked with ceremonies and family gatherings. the practical reality is that many government services are shifting schedules—or shutting down altogether.
Metro and Metrobus set the tone for transit
For riders using the rail system, Metrorail trains will run on a weekend schedule Friday from 5 a.m. to Saturday 2 a.m. Metrobus will operate on a Saturday supplemental schedule.
In the District, city employees will keep essential operations running even as some services are adjusted.
D.C. parks, shelters and select services open
Some District services will be affected due to the federal holiday, but many city employees will continue working to maintain essential operations.
The District’s Department of Parks and Recreation outdoor parks, playgrounds, athletic courts and fields will be open. Access to emergency shelters will remain available, as will the Downtown Day Services Center and Zoe’s Doors.
Several other services change course rather than fully closing.
The Department of Public Works will “slide” household trash and recycling collections for the remainder of the week into Saturday. The Fort Totten Transfer Station will be closed Friday, with all services resuming Saturday.
What shuts down in Washington, D.C.
Many D.C. offices and services are closed for Juneteenth, including D.C. public school offices; Department of Parks and Recreation centers. community centers and indoor and outdoor aquatic centers; public libraries; and the Department of Human Services Economic Security and Administration Service Centers.
DC Health and its operations are also mostly offline Friday, with the DC Health and Wellness Center closed, along with DC Health’s Vital Records Division and Licensing and Renewal Division.
All Department of Motor Vehicles locations are closed, as are the Department of Employment Services Navigation Call Center and All-American Job Centers.
Traffic and parking rules shift, and mail stops
For drivers and residents used to enforcement on weekdays, parking enforcement will be suspended except for Streetcar ticketing and towing.
Mail service is also affected: there will be no mail delivery or P.O. box services Friday, and United States Postal Service offices will be closed.
Maryland: closures at state agencies, mixed transit operations
In Maryland, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration is closed Friday.
MARC Train will operate full service on all three lines. Commuter Bus will not operate in observance of Juneteenth, except for Routes 201, 210, 215, 310, 320, 410, 411 and 420.
Anne Arundel County is closed at the county level, with recycling on track
All county offices are closed, as are the landfill and the recycling centers. Curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste collections will occur on a normal schedule for the Juneteenth holiday.
Charles County: county sites shut, some recreation continues
In Charles County, government offices and the County Animal Care Center in Hughesville will be closed.
The landfill, recycling and Piney Church Road mulch facility will be closed. The Nanjemoy Community Center, senior centers, and all school-based community centers are closed.
Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center will be open for recreational activities, but all indoor and outdoor pools are closed. Elite Gymnastics will also be closed.
Frederick County: libraries, health offices and courts closed
Frederick County observes the Juneteenth holiday. Public libraries, health department offices and Frederick County courts will be closed, along with animal control administrative offices.
The Reichs Ford Road Facility, including the transfer station, recycling center, and yard waste drop off, will be open regular hours. Residents can call 301-600-2960.
The Transit office will be closed and all Transit services will be canceled for the Juneteenth holiday.
Howard County: many government and shelter facilities closed, some community centers open
County offices are closed in Howard County, as are the 50+ centers, courts and the animal shelter. Belmont Manor and Historic Park and the county’s historical sites are also closed.
County parks are open. Trash, recycling, food scrap and yard trim services are still going, and the Alpha Ridge Landfill is open.
The Gary J. Arthur, North Laurel and Roger Carter community centers are open, as is the Meadowbrook Athletic Complex.
Parking regulations and fees are in effect, and RTA is running on a regular weekday schedule.
Montgomery County: offices and libraries closed, parking is free
Montgomery County county offices are closed Friday as well as staff offices, courts and libraries. Community recreation and senior centers are closed Friday.
Parking at public garages, lots and curbside meters is free. State MVA offices and vehicle emissions inspection program stations closed.
The Shady Grove Processing and Transfer Station is closed. Trash and recycling collected by the county will slide by one day.
Prince George’s County: most services closed, public safety continues
Prince George’s County county offices are closed Friday except for public safety agencies.
The Animal Services Facility at Brown Station Road is closed. Bulky trash collection is closed.
TheBus will operate as scheduled, except for Route 51X, which will resume on Saturday. Call-A-Bus and PGC Link services, including dialysis transportation, will not operate Friday.
The Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement is closed. The county’s 311 system will be closed Friday, though residents can still submit requests at countyclick311.com.
Virginia: state holiday, HOV lifted in Northern Virginia
Virginia made Juneteenth a state holiday in 2020.
HOV restrictions are lifted in Northern Virginia on Friday.
Alexandria: city offices and courts closed, pools open in limited hours
In the City of Alexandria, city government offices are closed Friday, as well as courts.
Trash, recycling and yard waste collection will not be impacted, and curbside food waste collection will not be impacted. The health department office at King Street, the Flora Krause Casey Health Center and the Teen Wellness Center are closed.
Emergency hotlines will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Libraries are closed Friday.
Parking enforcement is suspended Friday at metered spaces and residential permit areas, and Temporary No Parking Signs will be enforced. The city’s impound lot is closed.
Memorial Pool, Old Town Pool and Warwick Pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Charles Houston and Patrick Henry recreation centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Charles Houston Recreation Center will host a Juneteenth Celebration from 4 to 8 p.m.
All other City of Alexandria recreation facilities and nature centers will be closed. The DASH bus operates on a regular schedule.
Arlington County: government offices, courts, libraries closed
Arlington County government offices and facilities are closed Friday, as well as courts. The Permit Office is also closed.
Department of Motor Vehicles offices are closed, and libraries are closed.
Parks and recreation administrative offices are closed Thursday, including community centers, and there will be no classes. Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Parking in metered areas will not be enforced. ART buses operate on a regular schedule Friday, and trash and recycling schedules are operating on a normal schedule.
Fairfax County: libraries closed, some waste facilities open
Fairfax County county offices and courts are closed, and public libraries are closed.
The I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex are open, but there is no trash and recycling collection.
The Fairfax Connector bus will operate a Holiday Weekday Service.
Prince William County: county government shut
In Prince William County, the Prince William County government is closed Friday, including courts, libraries and community centers.
Juneteenth 2026 Washington DC closures Maryland holiday schedule Virginia HOV lifted Metrorail weekend schedule Metrobus supplemental schedule