On Thursday, June 19, the nation will celebrate Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the emancipation of more than 250,000 slaves at the close of the Civil War.
Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day for African Americans, Juneteenth was first designated as a state holiday in 2020, and became a national holiday in 2021.
To honor and pay tribute to the importance of the day, there are many organizations in Brooklyn that are holding a range of celebrations and events this week.
Thursday, June 19
The 4th Annual Juneteenth Food Festival
Hosted by Black-Owned Brooklyn and Weeksville Heritage Center, the event for the past three years has been held at Historic Weeksville—once one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America—to celebrate liberation, joy and community. This year, there's a fantastic lineup of amazing food, music and more. 12:00pm–8:00pm. 158 Buffalo Ave.
Juneteenth Family Trolley Tour at Green-Wood Cemetery
Discover the powerful stories of remarkable Black Americans whose legacies continue to inspire generations. From celebrated figures to unsung heroes, each story illuminates the resilience, innovation, and courage that define the Black American experience. 10:30am – 12:00pm. Free, registration required. 500 25th Street.
Dallas-based Ghost-Note brings a tour de force of funk, filled with dazzling solos and air-tight arrangements that will have you dancing and shaking your head in awe. Voices of a People’s History shares readings from an anthology edited by historians Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove that honors the stories and traditions woven into the diverse tapestry of American history. DJ Flash Gordon Parks opens with a set inspired by Houston’s deep musical legacy of Hip-Hop, funk and soul. 5:00pm–9:00pm. Lena Horne Bandshell (141 Prospect Park West).
Still We Rise in Brower Park
Brooklyn Children’s Museum and community partners will host their annual Juneteenth celebration at Shirley Chisholm Circle in Brower Park. The family-friendly event is in tribute to Maya Angelou’s powerful poem on resilience and determination. It will run from 11:00am to 3:00pm and is free and open to the public. Kingston Avenue, between Park and Prospect Place.
Saturday, June 21
Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
This marks the inaugural celebration of Juneteenth in Sternberg Park in Williamsburg. The event will be an opportunity to recognize the resilience and strength of the Black community throughout the period of slavery and beyond. This Juneteenth celebration will include music, food, resources and entertainment. 2:00pm-6:00pm. Enter the park on the corner of Boerum and Lorimer Streets.
We Outside
651 ARTS, Brooklyn’s leading organization for African Diasporic arts, is bringing back its annual Juneteenth celebration. Now in its fifth year, the event's theme this year is “We Outside: A Brooklyn Juneteenth, Vol. III,” focusing on the importance of building community and working together, especially during a time when arts and culture are facing serious funding challenges nationwide. The celebration takes place between 2:00pm to 8:00pm at Ashland Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn.
Juneteenth Jubilee at the Brooklyn Museum
Celebrate Juneteenth with an afternoon of activities and music honoring self-expression, community, and Black liberation and creativity. Enjoy the musical stylings of Bruce Edwards Trio with Alisa Ohri. Listen in or contribute your own voice to a poetry open mic. Vibe to sets mixed by SoulSummit and peruse selections from the Free Black Women’s Library. Play games, make a mini-zine or scrapbook, and participate in our fifth annual community photo series. Sip, shop and be nourished by some of Brooklyn’s favorite Black-owned restaurants.
