Fun Ways To Celebrate Juneteenth This Year
Happy Juneteenth Family! We finally made it, to June, to Juneteenth, and it feels like we've all been hungry and excited to celebrate. June is a beautiful month of celebrations, between Pride Month, school ending, Father’s Day, and the celebration of Juneteenth. Juneteenth’s official birthday is June 19, 1865, and is now publicly recognized as a national holiday in the United States.
In history, Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, was known as the day that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. This day was monumental, because it came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It’s the symbolic day of freedom for African American people in the United States. Juneteenth commemorates and honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest running African American holiday. It officially became a federally recognized holiday on June 17, 2021.
All over the U.S., people join in on celebrating the history, culture, music, art and beauty on this day. Whether you’re looking for a block party, a BBQ, a parade, or something more reserved and lowkey, there’s something for everyone to do.
ON THE EAST COAST:
Queens, New York
Event: Everyday Ppl Party
Location: Ruins at Knockdown Center
52-19 Flushing Avenue
Queens, NY 11378
Date: Sun, June 19, 2022
From the source: EVERYDAY PEOPLE is an event, community and culture platform. The EP globally recognized day party activates seasonally in global cities. We serve our community with free events centering on health, wellness and knowledge. Celebrate Juneteenth with a night of fun, dancing, and familiar tunes that will get you off your seat and on the dance floors.
For event details: https://www.everydayppl.nyc/events
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Brooklyn, New York
Event: Jubilee
Location: The Atrium
14 Park Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Date: Sun, June 19, 2022 from 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
From the source: Welcome to JUBILEE, a uniquely curated experience like none other! This Black excellence affair incorporates an amazing venue, beautiful décor, grand photo installations, specialty crafted cocktails and scrumptious brunch bites! We are not coming to sit down. This event requires all guests to float, live and honor the day of Juneteenth. We are back outside and deserve a good time. Be prepared to indulge in Chef Jeff’s creations with a classy twist..
For event details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jubilee-2022-a-juneteenth-celebration-of-black-excellence-tickets-308878753667
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Asbury Park, NJ
Event: Juneteenth Celebration in Asbury Park
Location: Springwood Ave Park
Asbury Park, NJ
Date: Sat June 18, 2022, from 2 PM-6 PM
From the source: For more than 150 years, African American communities across the country have observed this holiday. Join us for a day of Music, Activities, Food, Performances, Vendors & more.
For event details: https://westsidecitizensunited.wordpress.com/juneteenth-day-celebration-2/
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Washington, DC
Event: Juneteenth Block Party Celebration
Location: 1700 Good Hope Rd SE
1700 Good Hope Road Southeast
Washington, DC 20020
Date: Sat June 18, 2022, from 2 PM-6 PM
From the source: Mema’s Popups and Bread For The City have come together to bring you a Juneteenth celebration that you don’t want to miss!
Enjoy music while you dine and drink, shop amongst the black owned businesses and enjoy presentations and performances throughout the day.
For event details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-2022-block-party-celebration-tickets-329302291017
ON THE WEST COAST:
Long Beach, CA
Event: The Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration
Location: Rainbow Lagoon Park
400 E. Shoreline Drive,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Date: Sat June 18, 2022, from 10:30 AM-7 PM
From the source: Music. Food. Step Show. Art. Culture. Activations.
For event details: https://www.lbjuneteenth.com
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Scottsdale, AZ
Event: Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
Location: Scottsdale Stadium
7408 E.Osborn Road
Scottsdale, AZ
Date: Sun June 19, 2022 from 2 PM-7 PM
From the source: The city has partnered with the Mayo Clinic and a nonprofit local group, Change The Lead, to host a free community Juneteenth Celebration. Come and enjoy a variety of activities, including a raffle giveaway, live entertainment, educational information, vendors and more.
For event details:
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THE SOUTH:
Atlanta, GA
Event: Unbothered: The Glow Up
Location: 787 Windsor St SW
Atlanta, GA 30315
Dates: Sat June 18- Sun June 19, 2022
2 PM- 9 PM
From the source: To celebrate, we’re bringing the Unbothered fam together for a 2-day turn up and woosah in the heart of Atlanta. Bigger than photo booths and business cards, get ready for real conversations with your fave homegirls in your head, new connections with our most popular franchises–hello Go Off, Sis and Dear Black Love –and a salute to the incomparable vibes of Unbothered IRL.
From a full line up of hands-on workshops and interactive panels with dope talent, to creator-made installations–yes we’re making our own roller rink–and live entertainment, we’re glowing up across relationships, self-care, careers, and passions. So whether you’re new to the fam or have been rocking with us forever, join us for a Juneteenth weekend you’ll never forget.
For event details: https://unbothered.live/
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Raleigh, NC
Event: JUNETEENTH JOY: THE SOUND, FASHION, AND CINEMA OF FREEDOM
Location: Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater In The Museum Park
North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Date: Sat June 18, 2022
6PM-10:30PM
From the source: Join the NCMA to celebrate Black culture, wear iconic 1960s fashions, and remember the music as people fought for civil rights in the United States. This event features a dance party with grooves from all soul genres followed by a screening of the Oscar-winning documentary Summer of Soul, directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.
For event details: https://ncartmuseum.org/events/juneteenth-joy-the-sound-fashion-and-cinema-of-freedom/
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Dallas, TX
Event: JUNETEENTH 3K Walk & Festival
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
2922 MLK, JR. Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75215
Date: Sat June 18, 2022
9AM-1PM
From the source: The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in collaboration with LIRA Group is hosting the 2022 Juneteenth 3K Walk & Festival. The event will start with a Health & Wellness Walk and end with a Community Festival. There will be live entertainment, selling vendors and free activities for children.
For event details: https://dallasmlkcenter.com/juneteenth/
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Not in a social mood? The introverts club got you covered—here are some comfortable and fun things to do to celebrate:
Visit a Black-owned restaurant: If you are in a major city (or any city really), a simple “Black owned restaurant” search on Google should direct you to where you want to go. Grab your comfiest outfit, your bestie, and indulge in amazing food.
Visit a Black-owned bookstore: Bookstores feel few and far between to find these days, as we move online to digital spaces for e-reading. If you’re a lover of books, I implore you to go support one in your local area.
Check out a gallery or museum, featuring Black artists and their works.
If you’re traveling, try staying at a Black-owned hotel or Airbnb.
Follow and support Black content creators on social media.
Whether you are indoors or outside this Juneteenth, there’s something for everyone to take part in. Juneteenth is the reclaimed “Fourth of July” for Black people, and it’s a day to celebrate and honor the freedoms and rights that African Americans have fought for in this country. As always, stay safe, be mindful, and enjoy!