As June makes its entrance, with long-awaited warmer days, many people are contemplating or finalizing how they’ll spend their summer. The realization for some, particularly millennials, is that we have transitioned from the cookout guests to the hosts — whether we like it or not. We are the ones we’ve been waiting on the invite for. However, if the idea of hosting a gathering sends you into a spiral, there are plenty of events happening around the country to celebrate Juneteenth this month.
While amplifying Black culture and supporting Black-owned businesses should be year-round, Juneteenth is a special time to invest in the community. Check out these 24 cultural celebrations of Black American liberation, resilience, and excellence.
Atlanta, Georgia
As a city known for all things Black culture, June is the perfect time to get outside for the Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival. This massive celebration, spanning more than 100 acres in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, is happening on June 21– 23 this year. Community, equality, human rights, and justice are the central focus of the multi-day fest, considered Georgia’s official celebration. Multiple live music stages, a parade, the 5k Freedom Run, and more will keep ATLiens in the Juneteenth spirit. There’s also a Car, Truck, Low Rider, and Bike Show slated for the weekend, although details are still to come.
To see another side of Atlanta, the Atlanta History Center is hosting its festivities on June 15. The museum’s on-campus events will spotlight the culinary history of the Black community and contributions to America’s pastime, baseball. Attendees can expect cooking demonstrations, interactive workshops, and the opportunity to enjoy museum-theater experiences within the space. There will also be a DJ, lawn games, face painting, yoga, a food truck, and garden tours throughout the day.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
New Orleans typically gets all the attention in the Louisiana chat, but Baton Rouge is not to be missed this Juneteenth, either. Home of Southern University, the largest HBCU in the world, the state’s capital city is honoring African American heritage through numerous community events.
“A Joyful Noise: Juneteenth Celebration” commences its festivities on June 14 at the LSU Museum of Art. The following day, on June 15, the city’s annual Juneteenth Celebration will take place at BREC Gus Young Park. East Baton Rouge’s park and recreation agency promises a delightful combination of food, festivities, and fun for the whole family. The celebrations continue on June 22 with the “Scotland Saturdays and Levitt AMP Music Series Juneteenth Celebration.” Recognized as the largest majority African American town in the state, Scotland will host a live music series themed around heroes, ancestors, and independence. The Michael Foster Project will headline a Juneteenth celebration, alongside food, merchant goods, a children’s village, and more.
Baltimore, Maryland
Aside from the abundance of activities on any visit to Baltimore, you’ll equally have several ways to celebrate Juneteenth. “Moving Forward And Beyond: A Juneteenth Celebration” is a free event that takes place on June 15 at Graham Auditorium. While the event is free, registration is required. The afternoon live celebration of the African diaspora features the musical and operatic sounds of award-winning singer Alexandria Crichlow and professor and accomplished pianist Dr. Samuel Springer.
Rhythm Liberation Fest will offer activities for all ages, from the vendor marketplace and Kids Corner to workshops, vinyl shopping, and live performances, on Wednesday, June 19. There’s also AFRAM, one of the largest African American festivals on the East Coast, which takes place at Druid Hill Park each year. This free, family-oriented celebration is happening on June 22 – 23, with Busta Rhymes, Alex Isley, Mya, and other notable acts on this year’s lineup.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo’s Juneteenth is one of the city’s longest-running festivals, with origins that date back to 1976. The community-based organization behind the celebration, B.U.I.L.D., aims to preserve and promote the broad spectrum of African American Heritage through educational and cultural activities. This year’s festival takes place June 15-16 with a parade, musical performances, food vendors, and cultural activities. Held in Martin Luther King Jr. Park, this upstate New York event is one of several the organization will host throughout June.
Charlotte, North Carolina
The Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas in Charlotte is set to take place from June 13 to June 16. With no shortage of activities, the entire family can enjoy live music performances, dance, art exhibitions, educational workshops, and support local food vendors. Charlotte’s holiday celebration provides a space for reflection, celebration, and community connection. Running for over two decades, the multi-day event focuses on highlighting the historical significance of Juneteenth and promoting unity and cultural awareness. The creators promise an enriching festival experience, whether you’re a longtime resident or visiting for a short stay.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts & Ideas is prepping for several events during the week of Juneteenth. The ongoing festival series highlights and celebrates extraordinary artists in music, dance, theatre, visual arts, film, and literature. As part of the series, the Juneteenth Festival will foster a space for reflection, celebration, and cultural enrichment, amplifying narratives of the Black experience. This year’s events include a freedom run and walk and the 5th Annual Black Dads Matter Father’s Day Brunch and concert. There’s also a Juneteenth Commemoration Ceremony and a Black genealogy workshop.
Cleveland, Ohio
In Cleveland, the Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest is a family-friendly way to commemorate the holiday. Festivities include a Fashion in the Arts showcase, live performances, and a vendor village of Black-owned businesses. The fest will also feature interactive art demonstrations, food trucks, and fireworks over Downtown Cleveland on June 14 – 15.
Mx. Juneteenth is another event, taking place on June 15, that centers on the celebration of Black and Queer liberation. Expect live music, drag performances, local vendors, and educational workshops that honor the spirit of the holiday’s significance.
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus has two major events worth adding to your calendar and the re-launch of an important trail for the community. The 27th Annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival is the country’s third-largest celebration of African American history and culture. Attendees can expect fair bites from food vendors, live music artist performances, and speakers sharing cherished stories. The two-day weekend of cultural discovery is a great way to explore Ohio’s capital on June 15 and 16 at Genoa Park. Similarly, Juneteenth on the Ave, a showcase celebrating Black resilience and creativity, will take place in downtown Columbus on Saturday, June 15. The performing and visual arts are getting their shine during this event while also creating space to support Black-owned businesses.
Also, re-launching this Juneteenth is the CBUS Soul® Sculpture Trail by Experience Columbus. To enrich the experience of local African American art, its nine original sculptures now include audio enhancements for better accessibility and storytelling. Interactive gamification also ups your chances of winning CBUS Soul-themed swag, while a curated itinerary encourages visits to nearby Black-owned businesses.
Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas, is the birthplace of Juneteenth, as the town in which Union troops arrived on June 19, 1865, delivering the withheld news of the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation. Ahead of the official day, the city’s Juneteenth Festival & Celebration is happening on June 15 from noon to 8:00 p.m. The 2024 festival will take place on the historical grounds of McGuire Dent Recreational Center, known today as Menard Park. Along with the festival’s food, vendor, and music programming, you also won’t want to miss the crowning ceremony for 2024 Galveston County Lil Mr. Juneteenth Prince and Lil Ms. Juneteenth Princess. In line with Father’s Day weekend, the event will also include one deserving dad receiving the Father of the Year Award.
Other Galveston event options for Juneteenth are plentiful, from the Annual Historic Parade to a comedy fest and business empowerment summit. Cinephiles can enjoy a few Juneteenth-themed film screenings around the city, including the showing of “Juneteenth: The Galveston Story.” Showing in the MG3D Theater at Moody Gardens on June 16, the documentary features stories about Juneteenth as told by prominent Galveston County community members and family members of the people who were there in 1865. While the screening is free, there is a $4.00 convenience fee per transaction and $6.00 on the day of the show.
Houston, Texas
With the abundance of Black culture throughout Houston’s history, it’s no surprise the city will have plenty to do. The city’s largest event starts with the 2nd Annual Freedom Walk/Run at The Emancipation Park at 7 a.m. In the afternoon, a free concert will feature gospel, soul, and Zydeco performances, local vendors, food trucks, and more for the family.
The Juneteenth Culture Fest & Celebration of Freedom is another free concert option, happening at Miller Outdoor Theatre on June 14 – 15. This family-friendly event will offer live music, DJs, art, games, BLCK Market vendors, health and fitness activations, food trucks, and a fireworks grand finale. For an active commemoration, Juneteenth Houston is touring historic African American communities in and around Houston on June 15. The Black Houston Bus Tour begins at 10 a.m., departing from and returning to the African American History Research Center. There’s also a Juneteenth Tea Cakes and Tours series throughout the month and the Juneteenth Liberation Market on June 13.
Jacksonville, Florida
Spend the day at the Melanin Market Juneteenth Celebration in Jacksonville on June 15. Jax Melanin Market amplifies Black-owned businesses year-round, so this is the best way to celebrate in the city. The festival will feature dozens of local Black-owned businesses, artists, and live performances in the Historic Eastside neighborhood of Jacksonville. The organization will shut down A. Phillip Randolph Blvd, the main street in the neighborhood, for a day filled with vendors, food trucks, and entertainment stages.
Lexington, Kentucky
In Lexington, Kentucky, SoulFeast Week is shining a light on Black restaurants, farmers, and chefs in Central Kentucky June 14 – 23. The 10-day event will celebrate Black culinary culture by showcasing the Black visionaries making waves in Lexington’s culinary space. Curated experiences, educational exhibits, and themed events each day offer the chance to support Black businesses through food and drink.
To honor those who came before us, check out the self-guided African American Heritage Trail walking tour. With more than 45 stops, learn about the wealth of African American history in Lexington, including the many achievements of Black Lexingtonians.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas, is the setting for several events this June including the state’s largest Juneteenth festival, Juneteenth Arkansas 2024. On June 15, Little Rock visitors and residents will gather for a local parade, vibrant festivities, engaging discussions, and more. While the event is free to attend, the nonprofit organization’s mission is to give back through scholarships, sponsoring local programs, and providing community resources.
Juneteenth on Da Rock is an all-day event celebrating Black culture for the 15th year. This year’s schedule includes a day-long street festival — on June 15 — and a headlining performance by Letoya Luckett. Juneteenth in Da Rock 5k kicks off the day’s events, followed by a flag-raising ceremony, and the festival. This event is organized by the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Arkansas’s only museum that tells the stories of Black Arkansans.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin, is holding its 35th Annual Juneteenth Celebration in the Park on June 15, at Penn Park. In 1990, a group of Madison’s Black community leaders collaborated with the Madison Inner City Council on Substance Abuse to implement this now-longstanding Juneteenth tradition. From its inception, Madison’s Juneteenth Celebration has been family-centered for children and families to enjoy. Madison’s celebration of the Black community includes a parade, performances, food trucks, live music, and more.
Memphis, Tennessee
This year’s Juneteenth Community Day in Memphis will offer free admission to the National Civil Rights Museum. Located at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, the immersive experience includes comprehensive exhibits, artifacts, and interactive media that covers five centuries. On June 19, visitors can learn more about the holiday’s origins and the stories of hard-fought freedom since its origin. The day will also feature a Health Equity Fair offering health-related services, resources, and activities to those in attendance.
Miami, Florida
Miami is paying homage to Black culture in numerous ways, making it a busy June lineup in The Magic City. The Juneteenth Pride Celebration is recognizing the triumphs and challenges of the Black LGBTQ+ community on Friday, June 14 at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. The fourth annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration on Saturday, June 15 is a free, family-friendly event hosted by Florida International University. The lawnchair-friendly afternoon will offer live performances, artisan vendors, entertaining dancers, and food trucks. The 4th Annual Juneteenth Park-In & Party Celebration also takes place on June 15 in Miami Gardens.
In Miami fashion, a family-friendly beach bash is happening at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park on Saturday, June 22. Activities include face painting, educational activities, a petting zoo, raffles, free food and drinks, live music, bounce houses, and more. Other events in the city include the Juneteenth Comedy Show, a theatrical production titled “The Juneteenth Experience,” and the Juneteenth Black Futurism Environmental Summit.
Montgomery, Alabama
The birthplace of the civil rights movement, Montgomery, Alabama, has several events that call for a visit to the city. Aside from numerous historic sites, the 9th Annual Juneteenth Celebration is taking place at Rosa Parks Museum on Saturday, June 15. The free event includes admission to the museum, vendors, live music, and local food to savor. This year’s celebration will also feature a documentary premiere of “Cultural Shift: Redefining Mental Health in Black Lives,” followed by a panel discussion.
“For The Culture” Juneteenth Event is another chance to explore Montgomery, happening at BB King’s Blues Club on June 21. This annual event will feature performances by DJ Wright and Friends, Black culture reflections, and works by local artists.
Nashville, Tennessee
June marks the return and commemoration of Black Music Month. In Nashville, The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) celebrates the contributions, legacies, and icons of music’s past, present and future. The month-long celebration includes live performers, special guests, and appearances, as well as a Juneteenth Community Day on June 19.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Chef Serigne Mbaye and Dakar NOLA, a West African restaurant in the Big Easy, is hosting the 3rd Annual Afro Freedom Afro Feast on Sunday, June 16. The afternoon’s focus is feeding the soul and paying homage to the ancestors through culinary experiences. Several of the city’s most sought-after chefs are joining forces over an open flame at Grow Dat Youth Farm. With the heritage and culinary artistry of the African diaspora on full display, and the sounds of the Victor Campbell Cuban Jazz Trio, Afro Freedom Afro Feast is quickly becoming the go-to Juneteenth event in New Orleans.
New York City, New York
New Yorkers (and those visiting) will have to choose wisely, with nearly a dozen events across the city. In Brooklyn, the 15th Annual Juneteenth NY Celebration spans a week of programming (June 13-19) this year. Events include the Black Kings Awards ceremony, a restaurant crawl, and a live virtual Juneteenth Day Summit. The main event, a free festival at Linden Park, begins at 8:30 a.m. on June 15, with local artist performances, over 60 vendors, and interactive activities for the family until 6 p.m.
Black Restaurant Week also falls during Juneteenth in New York for foodies who want to honor the culture through cuisine. From June 16 to June 30, explore and dine at more than 100 Black-owned restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, and more. Drunk Black History is another fun, albeit unique, way to learn about Black historical figures on June 19. The booze-fueled annual event is led by comedian Brandon Collins along with co-host Electra Telesford and several special guests. Finally, the Brooklyn Museum is hosting “Saddles and Soul: A Juneteenth Black Western Celebration” on June 15. The program honors the legacy of Juneteenth as a Texas holiday through line dancing and local DJs, photo activations, art-making, and eats. Entry is free with museum admission ($20 for non-member adults and free for youth 19 and under).
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix has three major events taking place in the city to choose from. The Third Annual Juneteenth Celebration is a free event happening downtown on June 15. Attendees can expect a variety of family-friendly activities, live music, raffles, and giveaways. More than 50 Black-owned small businesses will also be in attendance selling everything from art and cultural clothing to food and accessories.
“Wings of Heritage: A Juneteenth Celebration,” also on June 15, will highlight the specific achievements of the African American community in both aviation and the historic Divine Nine fraternities and sororities. Throughout the event, guests can immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions and contributions of African Americans in the community. Finally, in nearby Tempe, the 11th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Tempe History Museum will host a family-friendly afternoon that includes live performances, art displays, food trucks, and more.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Juneteenth in Pittsburg will be a good time with several events that leave a major impact on the city each year. Under the backdrop of Downtown Pittsburgh, Juneteenth Freedom Day has a soulful lineup of music performances, cultural activities, and vendors on June 14-16. On Saturday, June 15, the Juneteenth Parade kicks off on 5th Ave., followed by the Juneteenth Economic Summit with hip-hop icons Percy ‘Master P’ Miller and Dame Dash. Over three days, enjoy performances by Kelly Price, Arrested Development, Elle Varner, Brownstone, Stokley, and more. Plus, all of the events are free to attend.
Richmond, Virginia
On June 15 at Dorsey Park in Richmond, Virginia, Henrico Recreation & Parks will host its Juneteenth Celebration for the community. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the entire family can shop at the local vendor fair, play in the kids’ zone, find comfort in the food truck selection, and take in the day’s entertainment. Pull up with your blanket and chairs to celebrate and enjoy a 9:45 p.m. fireworks display.
St. Louis, Missouri
The Lou is honoring Black culture with several events, starting with the Pre-Juneteenth Celebration 2024 in the Delmar Loop on Saturday, June 15. The Delmar Loop invites attendees to experience a blend of wellness, vendors, and fun at its Juneteenth festival. The day starts with the 5K Race for Reconciliation, followed by the Vendor Fair & Artistic Delights, showcasing the creativity and entrepreneurship of local Black-owned vendors and artists. The Evening Celebration will feature spirited performances by Spirit of Angela and the Red Black & Brass Band. Car enthusiasts can also enjoy the sights and sounds of the car show in the Trolley Parking lot.
These celebrations around the U.S. are only a fraction of the ways the country is honoring the emancipation of enslaved people. Whether visiting major cities or smaller towns, there will likely be a festival nearby to gather, make memories, and continue celebrating and reflecting on the legacy of Black America.
