Juneteenth (June Nineteenth) commemorates the end of slavery. On June 19, 1865 General Gordon Granger and federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and took control of the state to free the last remaining enslaved people in America. It is celebrated in America as the Black Freedom Day.
D.C. residents and visitors will be able to celebrate Juneteenth this year with the following events.
Friday, June 16
The Arlington Branch of the NAACP will be hosting a Juneteenth celebration at the Arlington Historical Museum that educates people about the holiday.
Date/ Time: June 16th from 7pm – 9 pm
Location: Arlington Historical Museum
Cost: Free
Saturday, June 17
The National Museum of African American History and Culture will be hosting a Juneteenth Community Day on June 17th starting at 11 am. The event will consist of okra workshops, jewelry making, African drumming, and other interactive activities.
Date / Time: June 17th from 11 am to 3 pm
Location: National Museum of African American History and Culture
Cost: Free
Monday, June 19
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
Anacostia Community Museum will be hosting their own Juneteenth Freedom Celebration on June 19th starting at 11 am. The event will feature performances from local talent throughout the event. Attendees can engage in a gardening workshop, a double dutch contest, trivia, and a self-guided tour of a new museum exhibit.
Date / Time: June 19th at 11am to 4 pm
Location: Anacostia Community Museum
Cost: Free
Black Lives Matter Plaza Activation
Mayor of DC Mayor Bowser and the city of Washington, D.C. will be hosting a Juneteenth event at the Black Lives Matter Plaza. The event will consist of outdoor games, contests, a kid zone, and a special “School Daze” activation to commemorate the film’s 35th anniversary. There will also be live music performances by go-go band legends EU with Sugar Bear, Anthony Brown, the Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Band plus a DJ battle.
Date/ Time: June 19th at 12 pm
Location: Black Lives Matter Plaza
Cost: Free
Emancipation Proclamation Viewing
The National Archive will have the Emancipation Proclamation on display for public view. The National Archives only allow public viewing of the document a few days per year because of the fragile condition of the document.
Date / Time: June 19th
Location: National Archives
Cost: Free
Signing The Journey: Juneteenth Joy
The Washington Revels and the Alexandria Black History Museum are co-sponsoring a live performance by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices that will pay homage to traditional and historical African American music.
Date / Time: June 19th at 2pm
Location: Market Square, 301 King Street, Alexandria, VA
Cost: Free
Step Afrika! will be performing a new piece around 2020 activism such as the Black Lives Matter movement. Step Afrika is a D.C. area organization that performs and hosts dance workshops around the art and history of step or stepping. Check out the Strathmore for more information on the performance and ticket prices.
Date / Time: June 19th at 7pm
Location: Music Center at the Strathmore
Cost: Varies
Check out: Everything You Need To Know About Juneteenth in 60 Seconds
Don’t Miss: The Final Moments Leading to Juneteenth National Independence Day
