Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in the city of Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3. The decree freed the remaining enslaved people in the state – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
Communities have celebrated the date for more than 150 years. New York recognized it as a city and state holiday in 2020, and President Joe Biden signed the holiday into federal law in 2021. This holiday celebrates Black resilience and culture while recognizing the struggles and sacrifices of African Americans.
Here are some ways to celebrate Juneteenth locally on Friday and throughout the weekend.
Food
Brooklyn – Weeksville: 5th annual Juneteenth food festival
Join the Weeksville Heritage Center on June 19, from 12 to 8 p.m. in celebrating Black food and culture at this year’s annual food festival. More than thirty Black-owned food vendors, including Miss Holly’s Smokehouse, Angie’s Delightful Bites, Créme & Cocoa Creamery will come together to celebrate this delicious gathering. Alongside the southern fried catfish, Nigerian suya and Haitian patties, there will be DJ sets, line dancing and performances by the champion double-dutch team The Jazzy Jumpers.
The Weeksville Heritage Center is located at 158 Buffalo Ave. in Brooklyn, a site where Epicenter NYC learned about the long forgotten history of the neighborhood built by free Black New Yorkers in the 1830s. See more about the event and the local organizations here.
Brooklyn – The Cookout Party: Juneteenth Celebration
A community Juneteenth celebration with games and activities, food vendors, and live music is coming to Prospect Park in Brooklyn from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 19.
Grab a chair and a friend and enjoy music by performers like DJ Franchella, lawn games, and community celebration. Free hotdogs and hamburgers will be served while supplies last. Learn more about the event and RSVP here.
Film
Manhattan – Movies Under The Stars: Harriet
The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment is continuing its free Movies Under The Stars series with a showing of “Harriet” on June 18, from 8 to 10 p.m. at Softball Field 1 in Morningside Park.
Harriet tells the true story of civil rights activist Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and her missions of leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. The film begins at dusk and is rated PG-13.
Grab a blanket and a friend to come enjoy this free community event.
Brooklyn – The Sankofa Cinema Club: Juneteenth Double Feature
The Sankofa Cinema Club is hosting its June meeting from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Macon Branch Library on 361 Lewis Ave. in celebration of Juneteenth, where there will be double features of the Black films “The New Black: LGBT Rights and African American Communities” and “Cimarron Spirit: Afro-Dominican Maroon Culture.”
The “New Black” examines the controversial and challenging issues facing the African American community during the gay marriage movement and the fight for civil rights in the midst of anti-gay politics and homophobia in the Black church.
Cimarron Spirit is a documentary set in the Dominican Republic that follows the carnival traditions and cultural celebrations of the descendents of enslaved African people who escaped from Spanish plantations and lived on the island of Hispaniola who are known as “cimarrones,” or “maroons.”
The films will be followed by interactive discussion and light refreshments will be served. Learn more about the event and register here.
Queens – Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning: The Inkwell
Another free film screening is happening at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning in Queens on June 19, at 7 p.m.
The Jamaica community is celebrating Black joy by screening the film “The Inkwell,” starring Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Morris Chestnut and Glynn Turman. The film is set on the Black enclave of Martha’s Vineyard, where a shy and troubled young man must navigate his politically divided family and his own love-torn dilemma.
The Center is located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave. and the screening will be followed by an interactive Q&A. Learn more here.
Family fun
Brooklyn – Brooklyn Children’s Museum: Gathering in Brower Park
Head to Shirley Chisholm Circle in Brower Park (located at 195 Brooklyn Ave.) for a celebration of music, art and freedom on June 19, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The theme for this year’s annual Juneteenth celebration is “I am somebody” and will feature performances by Brooklyn United Marching Band and Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, a dance performance with Brooklyn Ballet, storytelling with Brooklyn Public Library, a book giveaway with Brooklyn Book Bodega.
This Brooklyn Children’s Museum event is presented with Friends of Brower Park, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Brooklyn Public Library and Council Member Chi Ossé. Read more about this free family-friendly event here.
Staten Island – Roc-A–Natural Cultural Foundation: 5th annual Juneteenth freedom parade and festival at Tappen Park
Roc-A-Natural Cultural Foundation and its community partners are hosting their 5th annual Juneteenth event at Tappen Park (located at the intersection of Bay and Water streets in Staten Island) from 12 to 6:30 p.m.
This event features a lively parade with school marching bands, the raising of the Juneteenth flag, Black vendors, and live music from East Coast Inspirational Singers and SI Juneteenth Freedom Players. More information about this event can be found here.
Manhattan – Rockefeller Park: Juneteenth Celebration
The Federation of Black Cowboys and the Go Hard Dancers are practicing horsemanship this Juneteenth by sharing history and offering pony rides to riders 3 years or older at Rockefeller Park in Manhattan (River Terrace and Murray Street).
This free event begins at 11:30 a.m. on June 19, and the Go Hard Dancers will offer group workshops on hip hop and soul line dancing. RSVP here.
The Bronx – Bringing The Peace Inc.: Juneteenth in Crotona Park
Families, friends, and neighbors are invited to celebrate Juneteenth from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 19, at the main lawn of Crotona Park Amphitheatre located at 559 Claremont Parkway in The Bronx.
This event will be filled with music and dancing, food, and activities for all ages to enjoy. There will also be prizes, giveaways, and resources available. Learn more here.
Manhattan – The Juneteenth Committee of Masjid Malcolm Shabazz: Juneteenth Celebration NYC
The 33rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration NYC in Harlem is celebrating Black culture, community, and liberation on Saturday, June 20, on 116th Street between Malcolm X Blvd and 5th Ave.
The Juneteenth parade begins at 11 a.m. and is followed by live entertainment and a street fair with community vendors until 6 p.m. Find more information about the event here.
