Juneteenth celebrations commemorating the freedom of the last enslaved people of African descent in the United States take place across this City all of June. While African Americans—largely in the South and Midwest—have observed this historic moment for decades, Juneteenth was not recognized as a federal holiday until June 2021. As awareness around the holiday grows, it is important to remember the history of this significant day.
While the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declared the freedom of enslaved people in the United States, several states under Confederate control continued the practice of slavery until being compelled to acknowledge the edict by Union troops. The last holdout was Texas, which enslaved African Americans until June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston to enforce the proclamation—the date subsequently commemorated. Slavery was officially abolished across the nation later that year with the ratification of the 13th Amendment.
Read on for a few of the many performances, festivals, parades and educational programs taking place in New York City in celebration of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth at NYPL
Citywide
All month
The New York Public Library’s special programming spans free all-ages events throughout the month, a list of Juneteenth books for every level as well as a separate list for kids, a helpful archival research companion and e-resource roundup, an educator’s guide, librarian-curated Black culture information and cookbooks and an interactive writing activity video.
Courtesy, Juneteenth NY
Juneteenth NY Celebration
Various locations, Brooklyn
June 12–19
For 16 years, the East New York and Brownsville communities have gathered to observe Juneteenth—the days-long celebration includes a Black Kings award ceremony for distinguished local men, fashion show, parade and festival.
Historic Richmond Town Juneteenth Celebration
Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave., Richmond Town, Staten Island
June 14
This daylong event at Staten Island’s living history village includes cooking and artisan demonstrations, a theatrical reenactment of the 1865 Texas enforcement order, group discussions and craft activities.
Courtesy, Juneteenth Celebration in Harlem
Juneteenth Celebration in Harlem
116th Street between Malcolm X Boulevard and Fifth Avenue, Harlem, Manhattan
June 14
Enjoy a float- and music-filled parade followed by a daylong street fair featuring local vendors at this annual event, which started more than three decades ago. Bands and other musical artists will perform late in the day.
Courtesy, Lewis Latimer House
Juneteenth Family Festival
Lewis Latimer House, 34-41 137th St., Flushing, Queens
June 14
Queens’ Lewis Latimer House celebrates Juneteenth in the spirit of its eponymous inventor, whose innovations included making a stable carbon filament for light bulbs. The event brings history to life through fun and engaging family-friendly scientific exploration. In addition to the hands-on activities of the day, expect games, music and performances fit for all ages.
Juneteenth Bar Crawl—Harlem Edition
Various locations, Harlem, Manhattan
June 14
Sip your way through Upper Manhattan alongside other celebrants on this boozy tour. Stops include bars across the neighborhood for revelers to enjoy live music and themed cocktails.
Juneteenth Family Trolley Tour
Green-Wood Cemetery Historic Chapel, 500 25th St., Sunset Park, Brooklyn
June 19
Green-Wood is home to graves of notable social justice figures such as NAACP leader and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” lyricist James Weldon Johnson and mathematician Charles S. Reason, a close confidant of Frederick Douglass. On June 19, the 478-acre cemetery hosts a free family trolley tour that takes visitors on a journey recounting the powerful stories of remarkable Black Americans. All ages are welcome.
Courtesy, Juneteenth in Queens
Juneteenth in Queens
Roy Wilkins Park, Merrick Boulevard, St. Albans, Queens
June 19
Both an educational programming and festival event, this liberation celebration includes performances, youth activities, goods from Black-owned business vendors, workshops and bites from local restaurants.
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance Juneteenth Celebration
Van Cortlandt Park, 6036 Broadway, Kingsbridge, Bronx
June 19
Music and spoken word presentations on the Van Cortlandt House Museum lawn kick off this observance, followed by a drum march to—and ceremony at—the nearby park’s Enslaved African Burial Ground. Come at 5pm to purchase food from Voila Afrique; the ceremony begins at 6pm.
Juneteenth: Brooklyn and the Abolitionist Movement
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Corner of Furman and Old Fulton Streets, Pier 1, Dumbo, Brooklyn
June 19
The NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers will lead a walk around Brooklyn Bridge Park while detailing the borough’s abolitionist history within the context of various national social justice movements.
Juneteenth at Museum of the Moving Image. Photo: Christos Katsiaouni
Celebrate Juneteenth 2025 at Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, Queens
June 19
The museum’s focus for this year’s celebration is on legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong. The day begins with a scavenger hunt where visitors can explore the connections between Black music and film, followed by dance and musical performances. The museum has also partnered with the Louis Armstrong House Museum for a workshop and screening of Paris Blues, plus a post-screening conversation.
Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth. Photo: Kay Hickman
Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth
Times Square, Midtown, Manhattan
June 19
This outdoor concert honors—and features—Black artists and allies. The fifth annual event is hosted by Tony Award nominees Kara Young and Jon Michael Hill and will include songs by cast members from some of Broadway’s biggest productions. As always, the show presents its Legacy Award, given to an esteemed Black artist for their Broadway and community contributions; stay tuned to find out who is this year’s recipient.
Oh Sankofa!: A Juneteenth Celebration at Lincoln Center
Hearst Plaza, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Damrosch Park, Amsterdam Ave & W. 62nd St., Upper West Side, Manhattan
June 19
See multiple performances on the Lincoln Center campus, curated to highlight the rich culture of African and African American folklore and the resilience of the human spirit. The event name comes from the mythical bird Sankofah, which represents the importance of collective memory in cultural identity. Enjoy performances from artists like actress-comedian Phyllis Stickney, multimedia artist Vinson Fraley, dancer and choir director Chanon Judson, jazz guitarist Marvin Sewell and the Etienne Lashley choir.
Courtesy, Celebrate Brooklyn
Celebrate Brooklyn’s Third Annual Juneteenth in the Park
Lena Horne Bandshell, 141 Prospect Park West, Park Slope, Brooklyn
June 19
One of the City’s best-known summer festivals gets in on the Juneteenth action with this celebration of Black freedom and creativity that highlights the holiday’s Texas origins. The lineup includes a performance by Dallas-based hip-hop group Ghost-Note, readings from Voices of a People’s History and music celebrating Houston’s legacy of hip-hop, funk and soul from DJ Flash Gordon Parks.
Troy Anthony & The Fire Ensemble. Photo: Tori Mumtaz
Troy Anthony & The Fire Ensemble
Domino Square, 12 S. 3rd St., Domino Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
June 19
This theatrical concert experience, known as The Revival: It Is Our Duty, was created in celebration of Juneteenth and serves to showcase the traditions found in Black church revivals. Nonreligious in nature, the musical performance aims to inspire collective joy.
Courtesy, Caveat
Juneteenth Food Festival
Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Ave., Crown Heights, Brooklyn
June 19
Head to this festival co-hosted by Black-Owned Brooklyn and the Weeksville Heritage Center which preserves the history of one of the largest pre–Civil War free Black communities. Sample everything from vegan soul food to Caribbean ice cream from around 30 Black-owned food brands while listening to Brooklyn’s own DJ Spinna and DJ Tara. Stick around for performances from local double dutch team the Jazzy Jumpers and youth drumline musicians from Brooklyn United Music & Arts.
Juneteenth Jamboree
3266 Bainbridge Ave., Norwood, Bronx, Museum of Bronx History
June 19
Street art and music collide at the Aerosol Art and Street Jam, celebrated in honor of Juneteenth. The event is held in conjunction with the museum’s Uptown Rumble: Heavy Music in the Bronx exhibit, which traces the borough history of an overlooked genre. Food from Johnson’s BBQ, poetry readings, live art demonstrations and free tours of the museum show are all part of the fest.
Reparations! A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Improv Comedy
Caveat, 21A Clinton St., Lower East Side, Manhattan
June 19
This “silly liberation” showcase of some of the City’s top Black comedians and sketch teams is hosted by actor and UCB Theatre writer Sydney Duncan. Get your tickets fast, because the event sells out each year.
Commemorating Juneteenth
BAM Fisher Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Pl., Fort Greene, Brooklyn
June 19–20
One of Brooklyn Academy of Music's newest theaters hosts Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet for a performance that brings to life the historical stories and vignettes underscoring the struggles of Black people in the United States. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Creative Outlet’s mission to keep African American narratives alive for generations to come.
Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Randall Manor, Staten Island
June 21
This daylong community event takes place across Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden’s sprawling 83-acre grounds and includes a candle-lighting ceremony, historical presentations, live entertainment, art exhibits, games, food vendors and activities for folks of every age.
Louis Armstrong House Juneteenth Concert
34-56 107th St., Corona, Queens
June 21
The home turned museum of jazz trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong plays host to a garden concert featuring bassist, composer and bandleader Endea Owens, who is a member of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert house band and has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Jennifer Hudson and Diana Ross.
