Juneteenth is just a few days away, and if you don’t have plans yet, you’ll be happy to know that there are so many ways to honor the special day this year. Whether you’re ready to celebrate Black excellence in person with food, music and art or you’d feel more comfortable basking in Black joy digitally, below you’ll find 13 events happening this weekend that honor the legacy of Juneteenth.
1. Juneteenth: Soul of America
- Yahoo! will host Juneteenth: Soul of America, a live one-hour special event moderated by Marquise Francis on June 18 at 3pm EST. Featured panelists will include American chef and television personality Carla Hall; rapper, actor and activist Killer Mike; actress and business owner Tia Mowry and more. The discussion will cover “the meaning of freedom, the importance of financial equity and the need for reform… Black joy, mental wellness and self-care.” You can tune into the conversation here.
2. Reclaiming Our Time
- Yahoo! will also be hosting Reclaiming Our Time, “a day dedicated to educating, immersing and celebrating the history of African Americans” on June 18, beginning at 12pm EST. The event will include a Juneteenth Quiz Show, a panel discussion, a music tour and more. You can register to attend the event here.
3. Honoring Juneteenth
- On Saturday, June 19, the Brooklyn Museum will host a Freedom Ride in partnership with Good Company Bike Club. The ride will highlight landmarks and locations throughout Brooklyn that hold special significance to the Black community. The event will conclude with music, food and a mindfulness moment on the museum steps during the evening. You can learn more about the event and register here.
4. Black History Continued
- As part of their series “Black History, Continued,” The New York Times will host a virtual celebration of Black joy in all forms on June 17 at 5pm EST. Special guests will include Questlove, Esperanza Spalding and Dr. Shamell Bell. You can RSVP to attend the digital event here.
5. The Black Parade
- People in the NYC area won’t want to miss Juneteenth: A Black Parade. The free event will take place on June 19 and include activities for people of all ages, plus music, dancing and prizes. You’ll need to register here to receive the exact event location.
6. Juneteenth Legacy Project
- The Juneteenth Legacy Project in Galveston, Texas has several events planned to commemorate Juneteenth this year. On Saturday, June 19, there will be a Juneteenth Parade, a Juneteenth Festival and fireworks. Learn more about all of the planned events here.
7. The Heritage Society
- Another option for those in Texas? On June 18 and June 19, the Heritage Society in Houston is hosting tours of the Jack Yates House, Kellum-Noble House, and the Fourth Ward Cottage, three historic homes in the city. During the tour, participants will be able to learn “what these homes represent in the African American history of Houston.” Tickets are $10 each, and you can learn more about the tour here.
8. Juneteenth Jubilee Freedom Weekend
- The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan has three exciting events lined up for Juneteenth weekend. There’s a movie night on Friday, June 18, and a treasure hunt and jubilee stroll on Saturday, June 19. You can get the full rundown on all three events here.
9. Juneteenth in Burlington, Vermont
- The city of Burlington, Vermont will host its first-ever Juneteenth celebration on June 19, with events all over the city. Some of the highlights include a gospel brunch in City Hall Park, performances at Roosevelt Park and a panel discussion on Black farmers in Vermont at the ECHO Center. You can find a full list of events happening in Burlington this year here.
10. Black Art Brunch
- Folks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida should definitely hit up the Black Art Brunch happening on June 19 at 12pm EST. In addition to food, there will be music and artwork by a local Black artist. Tickets start at $25, and proceeds will go to the Noir Infusion Arts Projects. To purchase tickets, click here.
11. Juneteenth West Fest
- There will be three days of celebrating at Columbus Park in Chicago, Illinois during the Juneteenth weekend of 2021. Friday is dedicated to activities for children, while Saturday and Sunday will focus on adults and their families. You can view the flyer with more information here.
12. #502JuneTeenthWeekend
- The Louisville-based Kentucky Black Festival is hosting four exciting events starting on June 17 with the Juneteenth Benefit Gala. The celebration continues on Friday with a bike night, Saturday with a unity parade and Sunday with Family Field Day. You can RSVP to all events here.
13. Juneteenth in Balboa Park 2021
- If you live in the San Diego, California area, be sure to head over to Balboa Park on June 19. This Juneteenth event will highlight artists and vendors as the community comes together to honor the legacy of Juneteenth and protest systemic racism. You can learn more here.
There are loads more Juneteenth events and celebrations happening both on the Web and IRL this weekend. Just do a quick Google search for Juneteenth events in your area, and you’re bound to find several ways to do your part and show your support.
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Contributors: Amissa Pitter and Jeanine Edwards
