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Juneteenth became a thing because of a problem. After the end of the Civil War and slavery with it, Confederate-controlled areas withheld the news that the Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery on January 1, 1863.
It took another two and a half years for Union troops to finally arrive in Galveston Bay, Texas, to finally tell the 250,000 enslaved African Americans they were free men and women. This happened on June 19, 1865.
The government recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021. Today, Juneteenth is a time to reflect on and celebrate the history of freedom in the African-American community and the people who fought so hard to achieve it. Numerous cities nationwide hold festivals, each offering unique ways to observe, celebrate, and learn. Here are our nine favorite cities that celebrate Juneteenth the right way.
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Galveston Island, Texas
Perhaps the most iconic place to celebrate Juneteenth is where it all began. Galveston hosts a variety of events, including banquets, comedy shows, parades, sidewalk poetry, and even a Sneaker Ball. Year-round, Galveston commemorates Juneteenth with educational programs and community events.
Thomas Family Pilgrimage
Join the Thomas family on a guided pilgrimage through Galveston Island, exploring 175 years of history. This immersive experience takes visitors on the paths that freed individuals once walked, providing a powerful connection to the past.
The Menard House and Event Center 1605 33rd St, Galveston, TX 77550 Phone: (409) 766-4950
Ashton Villa
Celebrate Juneteenth at Ashton Villa, the site believed to be where the Proclamation of Freedom was first read. This event includes a ceremonial reading of General Order No. 3, historical reenactments, and speeches commemorating the significance of this day.
Ashton Villa 2328 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550 Phone: (409) 762-3933
Where To Stay In Galveston
Grand Galvez
The Grand Galves is a gorgeous historic hotel reminiscent of Jay Gatsby’s mansion set on the Gulf of Mexico in Southern Texas. Guests will enjoy beachfront views, a heated saline pool, a spa, and easy access to local events.
The sun rises over Galveston, Texas. @Shutterstock
Montgomery, Alabama
Steeped in Civil Rights Movement history, Montgomery offers a profound Juneteenth experience.
Rosa Parks Museum
The Rosa Parks Museum hosts a free public event with food, music, and tours, including local artists, a 1950s Montgomery bus, and a 1960s Greyhound bus. Enjoy free admission with special educational exhibits, storytelling sessions, and interactive displays. The event will also include a reenactment of the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott and guided tours of the museum’s permanent exhibits.
Rosa Parks Museum 252 Montgomery St, Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: (334) 241-8661
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
Enjoy a colorful festival celebrating African American art and culture with live performances, artist talks, and special exhibitions. Visitors can engage with local artists, enjoy traditional music and dance, and participate in cultural workshops. The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts also features a Second-Line style processional, crafts, live music, and snacks.
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts One Museum Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117 Phone: (334) 625-4333
Where To Stay In Montgomery
Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa
Proximity to local events with an onsite hair salon, the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa has a spa, an outdoor pool, and a spa!
A bronze statue of Rosa Parks stands in Montgomery. @Shutterstock
Atlanta, Georgia
Known as the “Black Mecca,” Atlanta is a beloved destination for Juneteenth celebrations. The Atlanta Juneteenth Music Festival, one of the largest in the country, features live music across six stages, hundreds of Black-owned vendors, historical reenactments, a parade, and a 5K Freedom Run.
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Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival
Every June, a three-day festival takes over beautiful Piedmont Park. It features a vibrant parade, live music, dance performances, and a variety of food and craft vendors. Highlights include performances by local artists, cultural displays, and family-friendly activities.
Piedmont Park 1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 Phone: (404) 875-7275
Juneteenth Atlanta Emancipation Proclamation Celebration
This grand celebration features historical reenactments, speeches, and a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation. The event also includes educational workshops and discussions on African American history and culture.
Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta, GA 30305 Phone: 404.814.4000
[ctt template=”8″ link=”7aGwW” via=”no” ]Here are nine cities that host notable Juneteenth celebrations, each offering unique ways to observe, celebrate, and learn.[/ctt]
Where To Stay In Atlanta
Loews Atlanta Hotel
This hotel is pet-friendly, and it is located near the city’s sprawling Piedmont Park. Guests will love the luxury accommodations and easy access to festival activities. Loews Atlanta Hotel is the perfect spot to lay your head after a day full of meaningful activity.
This 25-foot sculpture, named Earth Goddess, watches over Cascades Garden in Atlanta.
Washington, D.C.
While you might not get invited to the White House celebration, Washington, D.C., offers a rich array of Juneteenth events. The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture hosts a Juneteenth Community Day with family-friendly activities, including storytime, food, and, for the adults, mixology.
Juneteenth Community Day Celebration
A special day filled with family-friendly activities, including interactive storytelling, craft workshops, and musical performances. The event aims to educate visitors about the history and significance of Juneteenth through engaging and entertaining activities.
National Museum of African American History and Culture 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560 Phone: (844) 750-3012
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
This event includes indoor and outdoor activities such as live music, dance performances, food vendors, and educational workshops. The celebration focuses on community engagement and the importance of Juneteenth in African American history.
Anacostia Community Museum 1901 Fort Pl SE, Washington, DC 20020 Phone: (202) 633-4820
Where To Stay In D.C.
The Hay-Adams
The truly luxurious The Hay-Adams is famous for its historic charm and close proximity to the National Mall.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. @Shutterstock
Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Greenwood Cultural Center in Tulsa focuses on Black art, music, and history. Tulsa’s celebration is a safe space for expressions of freedom, with wellness activities, music, interactive art, a block party, and a 5K run.
Tulsa’s Juneteenth Festival
This event focuses on the rich history and culture of the Black community in Tulsa. It features educational exhibits, musical performances, and a family field day. Highlights include presentations on the history of Tulsa Fashion and the Juneteenth Block Party.
Greenwood Cultural Center 322 N Greenwood Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120 Phone: (918) 596-1020
Where To Stay In Tulsa
The Mayo Hotel
This historic boutique Mayo Hotel with luxury amenities and a rooftop bar was once famous for its champagne brunches, attracting the likes of John F. Kenedy and Elvis Presley. In 2001, the city purchased the hotel and renovated it.
This bronze statue stands in Tulsa’s Hope Plaza. The statue is a tribute to a man who was photographed in the 1921 Race Riots in Tulsa. @Shutterstock
Indianapolis, Indiana
The Indiana State Museum hosts a family-friendly Juneteenth event with activities, Black-owned food trucks, and educational opportunities about Indiana’s Black history. The city also features the Annual Indy Juneteenth Celebration, which is located in Military Park, and the Downtown Indy Juneteenth Foodways Festiva, which is held at The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
Indiana State Museum
Family activities and educational exhibits, including live music performances, a discussion with the chief curator about the Emancipation Proclamation, and a make-your-own activist sticker, will leave visitors with inspired hearts and minds. All 10 Indiana State Museum sites are open to the public for this celebration for free!
Indiana State Museum 650 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: (317) 232-1637
Where To Stay In Indianapolis
Conrad Indianapolis
The Conrad Indianapolia is a luxury hotel that is known for its incredible high tea and its spa package- “Wellness Getaway.” It is located in the heart of downtown, close to the Indiana State Museum.
Indianapolis’ Central Canal flows right through White River Park, the cultural hub of the downtown area. @Shutterstock
New York City, New York
New York City offers a vibrant Juneteenth celebration with events happening throughout the boroughs. The Juneteenth NY Festival in Brooklyn features live performances, family activities, and a parade. Harlem hosts various events celebrating Black culture and history.
Juneteenth Celebration in Harlem
This annual celebration might be one of the oldest on the list- boasting its 31st year in 2024. The event kicks off with a parade and street fair. There are plenty of opportunities to eat great food while listening to good music, and the kids will have plenty of fun activities to do.
The Juneteenth Committee of Malcolm Shabazz 116th Street between 116th Street & Malcolm X Blvd. (Lenox) Phone: (212) 662-2200/01
Visit Juneteenth Grove
NYC’s Parks Department dedicated Juneteenth Grove in Cadman Plaza Park in 2020 after the brutal murder of George Flloyd. Park benches are painted in the Pan-African colors of red, black, and green. Along with the upgraded benches, the parks department also planter 19 new flowering trees along the walkway. It’s a bustling park because of the lush garden and shady trees. It is the perfect spot for an afternoon walk.
Cadman Plaza Park Cadman Plaza W &, Tillary St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Phone: (212) 639-9675
Where To Stay In New York
The Standard, High Line
A trendy hotel in Manhattan that is anything but standard. Besides great city views, guests will enjoy the bustling beer garden, a rooftop discotheque, and an outdoor public plaza that features a rotating art installation.
July 19th, 2020 brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets in protest in NYC. @Shutterstock
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s Juneteenth celebrations, including the historic Bronzeville neighborhood festivities, are held city-wide. The DuSable Museum of African American History hosts special programs, while Millennium Park offers music and cultural events.
Juneteenth Village Fest
This family-friendly Juneteenth event features carnival rides, live performances, community-based organizations, and resources, and it’s free!
Douglass Park 1401 S. Sacramento Drive Chicago, IL 60608
Visit Bronzeville Children’s Museum
Founded in 1993, this is the first and only African-American children’s museum in the country. Some exhibits to see are African American Inventors Changing Lives and the Tour of Bronzeville Landmarks. The museum hosts an annual family celebration of Juneteenth.
Bronzeville Children’s Museum 9301 S Stony Is Ave, Chicago, IL 60617 Phone: (773) 721-9301
Where To Stay In Chicago
The Blackstone Autograph Collection
The Blackstone Hotel, built in 1910, has all the charm of a historic hotel but with the best modern amenities. Positioned in the midst of Chicago’s Cultural Mile and overlooking Lake Michigan and Grant Park, guests will have difficulty not falling in love with how the natural beauty of this setting marries with Chicago’s renowned architecture.
The Crown Fountain in Chicago’s Millennial Park is full of families enjoying the cool water during the warm summer months. @Shutterstock
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles celebrates Juneteenth with events throughout the city. The California African American Museum offers educational programs and family activities.
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Of course, there will be a read-aloud or two, but there will also be opportunities to create beaded jewelry, learn how to play African drums, or create a square to add to a community quilt. There is something for everyone and every age at these family-friendly events!
Addresses are unique per event; be sure to read the list for more information.
California African American Museum
This is the most California-style Juneteenth event on the list. Visitors can participate in yoga, a sound bath and meditation, a zine workshop, or a “flashlight” story-telling session.
California African American Museum 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 Phone: (213) 744-7432
Where To Stay In L.A.
The Westin Los Angeles Airport
The Westin LAX is just far enough from the airport to not really feel like an airport hotel but close enough to enjoy the benefits of being close to the airport. (The benefit—not having to fight traffic at the airport! There is a shuttle driver who will battle for you.) The beds and pillows are dreamy, the workout facility includes Peloton bikes, and there is a running guide who will match your pace through the bustling surrounding area.
An inside view of what you can see at the California African American Museum. @Shutterstock
Planning Your Juneteenth Experience
No matter where you choose to celebrate, here are some of our best tips to get the most out of your Juneteenth experience:
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Juneteenth is a great opportunity to patronize Black-owned restaurants, vendors, and artists. Look for marketplaces or events featuring Black businesses.
Learn about the History of Juneteenth
Take some time to understand the significance of the holiday. Many museums and cultural centers offer educational programs and exhibits. Some museums and towns also provide digital experiences you can explore before visiting.
Embrace the Spirit of Community
Juneteenth is a celebration of resilience and joy. Join the festivities, connect with your community, and celebrate.
Edited by Steffy McCourt
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