Out and About

List: Triangle Juneteenth celebrations

The term Juneteenth is a blend of the words June and 19th. The holiday also has been called Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day.

Posted Updated
Durham celebrates African-American culture on Juneteenth

The term Juneteenth is a blend of the words June and 19th. The holiday also has been called Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day.

It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War had ended and slaves were now free.

While the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the South in 1863, it wasn't enforced in many places until after the end of the Civil War two years later. Confederate soldiers surrendered in April 1865, but word didn't reach the last enslaved black people until June 19, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to Galveston, Texas.

Celebrations have typically included parades, barbecues, concerts and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. But after massive demonstrations over George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police, there has been a seismic shift to further elevate black voices. That desire is being felt as states and cities move to make Juneteenth an official paid holiday.

Check out this list of area Juneteenth Celebrations. And if you don't see your celebration on the list, submit it to our events calendar.
June 16:Juneteenth: A Story of Freedom - Examine the history behind Juneteenth and explore North Carolina's special connections to this historical event on Wednesday, June 16, during this online only program.
June 18: Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration (Online) - The first Chapel Hill-Hill Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration will kick off on June 18 with a virtual program that will include performances from local poets and artists.
June 18-20: Juneteenth: A Celebration of Emancipation with the Pope Family (Pope House Museum, 511 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh) - This three-day event will celebrate the legacy of Emancipation at the Pope House Museum, the historic home of Dr. Manassa T. Pope and his family. The celebration will include rare artifacts, special guest speakers, exclusive guided tours, and various activity stations. In addition, there will be a children's craft station, information tables with local community organizations, self-guided tours of both the Pope House Museum and Dr. Pope's Neighborhood Historic 3rd Ward Tour.
June 18-20: NCMA's Commemorating Juneteenth Events (North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh) - Join NCMA for a Juneteenth weekend of music, family activities, films and discussions to remember and commemorate the history and resilience of African Americans. Friday evening features a live, in-person outdoor concert with three-time Grammy-nominated performance ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock. Saturday includes in-person family story time and activities with Liberation Station, a book discussion, and screenings of two critically acclaimed documentaries—Wilmington on Fire and Mr. SOUL! The weekend ends with a celebration of Black Music Month with DJ Thoro, live from the Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater in Museum Park on Sunday. American Sign Language interpreters are available onsite for multiple events.
June 19: Shop & Share with Communities In Partnership (Bull City Fair Trade (formerly One World Market), 811 9th St Suite 100, Durham) - Shop & Share to support two local nonprofits at once at Bull City Fair Trade. In honor of Juneteenth, 10 percent of your entire in-store or online purchase on June 19 will be donated to Communities In Partnership (CIP).
June 19: Morrisville Juneteenth Celebration (Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 Town Hall Dr, Morrisville) - This celebration will celebrate the emancipation and the achievements of Morrisville's African-American community through speakers, proclamations, food, fun activities, music, vendors, entertainment and more. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration in Smithfield - Located in Smith-Collins Park, there will be activities for all including a parade and cook out. The parade will be begin at 10:30 a.m.
June 19: Juneteenth: Black is Beautiful Bar Crawl (Durty Bull Brewing, Glass Jug and Fullsteam) - This live music bar crawl will feature local artists, vendors and food trucks. Food Truck and vendors all located at Durty Bull Brewery.
June 19: Juneteenth Motorcade (Chapel Hill and Carrboro) - Share the spirit of Juneteenth by decking out your car and joining others for a drive through some of Chapel Hill and Carrboro's historic Black communities on Saturday, June 19 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be two routes to take.
June 19: Juneteenth Save The Music Series (Chapel Hill) - Four African American artists will be scattered throughout Franklin Street playing music from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 19.
June 19: Capital City Juneteenth Celebration (Dorothea Dix Park - Harvey Hill, 693 Palmer Drive, Raleigh) - Juneteenth (June 19th) is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the United States. As part of the Capital City Juneteenth Celebration 2021, enjoy an afternoon of entertainment and food on Harvey Hill at Dix Park on Saturday. This is a free event, however free tickets are required to enter the performances. You can also watch performances via a livestream online.
June 19: Capital City Juneteenth Celebration: Chalk Art (North Carolina State Capitol Building , 1 East Edenton Street, Raleigh) - Create a colorful visual celebration of the legacy of Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19, on the grounds at the N.C. State Capitol. Join in by coloring chalk artist drawings of the Juneteenth flag and line portraits of formerly enslaved individuals whose lives intersected with the Capitol and write the names of Raleigh freedmen and freedwomen. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon.
June 19: 2021 Juneteenth Celebration (c3 at the Venue, 5299 Capital Blvd, Raleigh) - C3 and the African American Dance Ensemble of Durham are sponsoring a Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday at c3 at the Venue in Durham from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will include vendors, education, culture and entertainment. Admission is free.
June 19: Juneteenth Cultural Celebration (New Home and Durham Missionary Baptist Association, 6611 Guess Road, Durham) - Bring your family, friends and a lawn chair and come enjoy some great entertainment and purchase food and products from various vendors and celebrate Juneteenth from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Durham. Admission is free.
June 19: Cary's Juneteenth Celebration (Fred G. Bond Metro Park, 801 High House Road, Cary) - Head to Downtown Cary's Sertoma Amphitheatre for theater, music and history from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
June 26: 'The Cookout' A Celebration in Honor of Juneteenth (The Unity Center Of Peace , 8800 Seawell School Rd, Chapel Hill) - On June 26, the NC PPC Cultural Arts Committee will be hosting 'The Cookout' A Celebration in Honor of Juneteenth from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Chapel Hill at the Unity Center Of Peace. The event will include special presentations about Juneteenth and its history, face painting, art exhibitions, dance performances, a Black vendors farmers market, music performances and even professional wrestling.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.