Juneteenth, a national holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States, is Sunday.
It’s been called the United States’ second independence day. It’s a day for activism, learning about Black history and joy — often observed with picnics and red foods.
Celebrations/regional
- National Harbor will hold a Juneteenth Freedom Celebration with performances from the Prince George’s County Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate, local dancers, live music, artists, and more. The property is partnering with the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council for a day of education, reflection and celebration. (National Plaza National Harbor; June 19, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.)
- The Chocolate City Jubilee will be held at Freedom Plaza as an alternative to the more expensive Something in the Water festival. Hosted by WPGC-FM’s Poet Taylor, the event boasts free food and live go-go. Register for free by texting CHOCOLATECITY to 833-454-1214. (14th and Pennsylvania Ave NW; June 19, 12 p.m.-5 p.m; FREE)
- The McLean Community Center is hosting a Juneteenth celebration with the Grammy-nominated Alphabet Rockers. (McLean Central Park; June 19; FREE)
- Montgomery County’s 25th Juneteenth Celebration will have educational passport activities, a historical journey of African American music and entertainment, and food trucks for a family-friendly celebration. (BlackRock Center for the Arts; June 18, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; FREE)
- Pedal Positive has created a self-guided Black History bike tour of Alexandria in honor of Juneteenth. Registered participants will receive the 7-mile route and descriptions of historic sites in advance to hit the road at their leisure. (Route begins at Jones Park; June 19-20; FREE)
- The Carlyle House in Alexandria, in collaboration with C. Alexandria-Bernard Thomas and The Athenaeum, is hosting a Black history event outside in the gardens with hands-on activities, art, history, and poetry readings to discover the history of Juneteenth. (The Carlyle House; June 19, 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
- The Friends of Arlington Library and Arlington Public Library will host a conversation between Amina Luqman-Dawson, local author of Freewater, and library director Diane Kresh. (Shirlington Library; June 22; FREE) and a chat at with Wilma Jones, author of My Halls Hill Family: More Than a Neighborhood. (Arlington Library; June 23; FREE)
- The City of Bowie is hosting multiple events in Prince George’s County this weekend, including the Fathers & Families Juneteenth Celebration. Kicking off with a morning bike ride at 9 a.m., the rest of the day will have food, vendors, games, music, and a tribute for dads. (Allen Pond Park; June 19, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; FREE)
- Moechella is hosting a celebration and peaceful demonstration with performances from Yaddiya and other special guests. (14th and U St; June 19, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE)
- The “BURG” Family Reunion Club is hosting a Juneteenth celebration in Leesburg with local performers and food and shopping vendors. (Ida Lee Park; June 18; $15 for ages 12+; children 11 and younger free)
Free community celebrations in the D.C. area include Steps Toward Freedom: A Juneteenth Remembrance (Thursday, concerts at 5 and 6:30 p.m., Alexandria), the National Archives’ Juneteenth Family Day (Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.), the Prince George’s County Juneteenth Hybrid Festival (Saturday, Watkins Regional Park, noon-5 p.m.), Juneteenth Sisterhood Supper (Saturday, 2-6 p.m., Oxon Run Park), the Fauquier County Juneteenth 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration (Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Main Street, Warrenton, Virginia) and a Juneteenth: Freedom Day Celebration (Sunday 2-4 p.m., National Harbor).
Here’s our full roundup of Juneteenth celebrations, events and observances.
Juneteenth, a national holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States, is Sunday.
It’s been called the United States’ second independence day. It’s a day for activism, learning about Black history and joy — often observed with picnics and red foods.
Free community celebrations in the D.C. area include Steps Toward Freedom: A Juneteenth Remembrance (Thursday, concerts at 5 and 6:30 p.m., Alexandria), the National Archives’ Juneteenth Family Day (Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.), the Prince George’s County Juneteenth Hybrid Festival (Saturday, Watkins Regional Park, noon-5 p.m.), Juneteenth Sisterhood Supper (Saturday, 2-6 p.m., Oxon Run Park), the Fauquier County Juneteenth 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration (Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Main Street, Warrenton, Virginia) and a Juneteenth: Freedom Day Celebration (Sunday 2-4 p.m., National Harbor).
Here’s our full roundup of Juneteenth celebrations, events and observances.