Experience a Brooklyn Juneteenth With Celebratory Events Around the Borough

Brooklynites can celebrate Juneteenth this year with a full calendar of events that mix a bit of history with some joyful celebrations.

The Juneteenth holiday commemorates the day when news of Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. While Black Brooklynites of the 19th and early 20th century often held celebrations on or near January 1 when the proclamation was officially released, by the late 20th century Juneteenth had evolved into a national, rather than just regional, celebration of African American family, freedom, and achievement.

Texas was the first state to declare it a public holiday in 1980. It was established as a commemorative day in New York State in 2004, became an official public holiday in the state in 2020, and a federal holiday in 2021.

Many of the Juneteenth events take place on the actual holiday, a Thursday this year, but there are also offerings to enjoy the weekend before and after. Check out the online info for each event for full details on the programs and how to RSVP.

16th Annual Juneteenth NY Festival
Linden Park, East New York
June 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The full festival runs for several days, with an awards ceremony and a virtual summit bookending the Juneteenth Family Fun Day Festival on June 14. The full-day event will include performances, food, vendors, a fashion show, and activities for all ages.

A Juneteenth Jubilee
Phoenix Community Garden, Ocean Hill
June 14, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Learn more about the food of the African diaspora by preparing a meal at the community garden. Part of a continuing workshop series at the garden called The Soul of Food, this edition of the hands-on event will focus on the crops that have sustained Black life. Participants will learn, cook, and eat together. Registration is required.

Juneteenth Family Trolley Tour
Green-Wood Cemetery
June 19, 10:30 a.m.to 12 p.m.
Hop aboard a trolley to explore the stories of Black Americans buried in the historic cemetery. The ride through the cemetery is recommended for ages 7 and up. It is free, but registration is required.

Still We Rise
Brower Park
June 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum and community partners are hosting a day of performances, workshops, storytelling, and more at the Shirley Chisholm Circle in Brower Park. The museum will also be open that day, with regular admission before 2 p.m. and free admission from 2 to 5p.m.

Juneteenth: Brooklyn and the Abolitionist Movement
Brooklyn Bridge Park
June 19, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join the NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers for a free walking tour exploring the history of the abolitionist movement in Brooklyn.

Juneteenth Food Festival: A Celebration of Black Food and Culture
Weeksville Heritage Center
June 19, 12 to 8 p.m.
Join Weeksville and Black-Owned Brooklyn for their fourth annual Juneteenth Food Festival with over 25 food vendors as well as artisans in a celebration of Black culture. In addition to the tasty eats and goods from Black-owned businesses, there will be performances, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and music.

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Juneteenth in the Park
Lena Horne Bandshell, Prospect Park
June 19, 6 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)
This year’s edition of the annual evening of music and storytelling takes a cue from the Texas origins of Juneteenth with a performance by Dallas-based Ghost-Note. Voices of a People’s History will share stories and a set from DJ Flash Gordon Parks will showcase the musical legacy of Houston. Entry will be first come, first served.

We Outside! A Brooklyn Juneteenth: Vol. III
The Plaza at 300 Ashland
June 21, 2 to 8 p.m.
The plaza will be filled with music, poetry, storytelling art, and a Black maker’s market as 651 ARTS hosts an annual Juneteenth celebration. In collaboration with the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and The Soapbox Presents, the day is envisioned as a celebration of the cultural contributions of Black people with fun for all ages.

Juneteenth Jubilee
Brooklyn Museum
June 21, 1 to 5 p.m.
A day of celebration at the museum will include music, art making, food, and a poetry open mike. The events happen throughout the museum and the events are free with museum admission.

More than a Brook: Brooklyn’s Abolitionist Heritage Walk
New York Landmarks Preservation Commission
Self-guided tour
If you want to soak in some history at your own pace, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, in collaboration with Black Gotham Experience, developed an audio tour that explores abolitionist history in the borough. There are 18 stops that wind through Brooklyn Heights, Fulton Ferry, Downtown Brooklyn, and Fort Greene. The multi-part tour can be enjoyed anytime via the LPC website and via Sound Cloud.

Related Stories

• The Weeksville Heritage Center Looks to the Future With a Focus on Art and Community
• The Hiram S. Thomas Story: Brownstones, Potato Chips, Black Excellence in 19th Century Brooklyn
• Black Folks in 19th Century Brooklyn

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