New York City offers an expansive lineup of Juneteenth events to commemorate June 19, 1865 — the day U.S. Army soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, which was more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Also known as Emancipation Day and celebrated locally for years, Juneteenth was finally recognized as a national holiday in 2021.
Here are some of the Juneteenth events happening throughout the city in 2024:
Friday, June 14
The Unsung Collective
Columbia University kicks off Juneteenth with a free Friday night concert featuring The Unsung Collective, directed by founder Tyrone Clinton Jr..
This year, works by Jessie Montgomery, Carlos Simon and H. Leslie Adams will be honored with soprano Janinah Burnett and baritone Phillip Bullock joining the Harlem-based collective dedicated to celebrating stories of the Black experience.
Free. 6 p.m. at The Forum, 601 W. 125th St. in Harlem.
The Legendary Ingramettes
Also on Friday, The Legendary Ingramettes will bring their holy-rolling harmonies and roof-raising gospel to Flushing Town Hall for a special Juneteenth concert. Known as “the First Family of Gospel Music” in their home city of Richmond, Virginia, the all-female musical ensemble — founded by the late Maggie Ingram — will help kick off a series of Juneteenth events around Queens, presented through Queens Rising, the month-long celebration of culture of the borough.
$20, 7 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. in Flushing, Queens.
Saturday, June 15
651 ARTS Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration
For its fourth year, Brooklyn’s 651 ARTS will partner with The Soapbox Presents outdoor concert series for a program featuring marching bands, majorette squads, a step show, workshops and signature “stoop sessions.”
Organizers say this year’s theme, “We Outside…” will center around the concept of “Individual Expression” and spotlight “the spirit of Black creativity.” Bassist Endea Owens will lead a performance of protest music featuring Grammy nominated singer-songwriter J. Hoard. And, once again, Black business owners, vendors and artisans will all take part in a marketplace curated by Brooklyn Pop-Up.
Free, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at The Plaza at 300 Ashland Place in Downtown Brooklyn.
“Saddles and Soul: A Juneteenth Black Western Celebration”
The Brooklyn Museum is taking Juneteenth back to its roots, with a focus on Black Western culture throughout a day of free programming. The event includes line dancing (taught by Wildcat Ebony Brown), crafts and Juneteenth eats served up by the Brooklyn Sweet Spot, Aunts et Uncles and chef David Thomas.
Free. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Juneteenth Food Festival
The third annual Juneteenth Food Festival in Crown Heights brings together 42 local businesses in a family-friendly cultural marketplace featuring performances, food demos, dance workshops and DJ sets. A collaboration between Black-Owned Brooklyn and Weeksville Heritage Center, the festival features cuisine from the American South alongside flavors from the Caribbean, Africa and Latin America.
Free. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sat. at Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Ave in Brooklyn
Sunday, June 16
The Flea’s Juneteenth Public Performances
Tribeca’s Flea Theater is offering public performances throughout the city for its fourth annual celebration. Artistic director Niegel Smith embraces the West African concept of Sankofa (“go back and get it” in Ghanan) with his outdoor showcase of artists, dancers, poets and actors.
As an afro-futuristic griot, Smith will take audience members on a walk exploring New York City through the lens of black love and queer liberation in “The Worthy,” which starts at The African Burial Ground Monument (290 Broadway) on Sat. at 11 a.m and 1 p.m.
“Liberation Play” by Chicava Honeychild / DuYe Moves, with poetry, dance and art workshops, is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. at 405A Colonels Row, Governors Island.
The Flea Dream Machine — “bringing music, dance, sensual poetry and inventive looks” — will take place Wednesday at 7.pm. at Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium (1887 Broadway, Manhattan), which has been transformed into an Afro Future Garden designed by Mickalene Thomas & Lutfi Janania.
Various times and venues. Reservations can be made at http://thenewflea.org/events.
Monday, June 17
“A Juneteenth Jubilee – The Women”
Vocalist Natalie Douglas will perform “A Juneteenth Jubilee – The Women” at the spacious midtown jazz club. Alongside her band and longtime music director Mark Hartman, she’ll perform “songs of equality and excellence” popularized by artists including Roberta Flack, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone.
$35 music charge. 7 p.m. at Birdland, 315 West 44th St. in Manhattan.
Tuesday, June 18
“Dinner: Celebrating Juneteenth with Chef Adrian Lipscombe”
The James Beard Foundation‘s Platform is celebrating Juneteenth with chef, restaurateur and culinary historian Adrian Lipscombe.
She’ll serve a dinner using native and seasonal ingredients sourced from her home state of Texas — the birthplace of Juneteenth. She will guide guests on a culinary exploration of the region with dishes like Texas-style brisket with hot guts, pozole verde y pollo, Mexican street corn and old-fashioned macaroni and cheese.
Pricing starts at $150. 7 p.m. at Platform at Pier 57 at 25 11th Ave in Manhattan.
Wednesday, June 19
“UNITYFEST with DJ Spinna”
DJ Spinna will headline the Unityfest Concert, part of the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! festival. The Brooklyn native will be joined by Peven Everett, Merlin Bobb, Monique Bingham and Voices of a People’s History in Prospect Park.
Free. 6 p.m. at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Brooklyn.
“Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth”
Keeping up with a new and very welcomed tradition, the Broadway League’s Black to Broadway initiative will host its free outdoor concert — rain or shine.
Hosted by “Aladdin” star Michael James Scott with performances by cast members from current productions such as “Back to the Future,” “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” and “The Wiz,” the 90-minute program will honor Tony winner Phylicia Rashad with its Juneteenth Legacy Award.
Free, 11 a.m. at Duffy Square in Times Square
Carnegie Hall and Healing of the Nations Foundation Present Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Carnegie Hall’s free annual concert, hosted by Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., will feature artists including Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Gregory Porter; actor, singer, and writer Daniel Beaty and Broadway conductor and multi-instrumentalist Joseph Joubert. Civil rights activist and ambassador Andrew Young is among the honorees for this year’s program, which will also include Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble and The Adrian Dunn Singers.
Free. 7 p.m. at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage in Manhattan.
“An Operatic Juneteenth Celebration”
Grammy-winning singer Kenneth Overton joins On Site Opera for its first installment of this year’s “Opera in the Garden” series. Titled “An Operatic Juneteenth Celebration,” the performance will include excerpts from works by Black composers and librettists such as Scott Joplin, William Grant Still and Harlem’s own Langston Hughes.
Free reservations can be made at the website: https://osopera.org/productions/garden/. 7 p.m. at The West Side Community Garden at 123 W 89th St. in Manhattan.
“Some Sing: A Juneteenth Celebration”
Carl Hancock Rux returns to Lincoln Center with his annual Juneteenth event. This year, the Obie Award-winning poet, author and performing artist will present “Some Sing: A Juneteenth Celebration,” featuring performances by Cooper-Moore, Tamar-kali, and Stephanie McKay, among others. Toshi Reagon, her band BIG LOVELY and her Songs of the Living Community Choir will join special guests to close out the evening.
Free, 7 p.m. at Hearst Plaza; 65th St. between Amsterdam Ave. and Broadway
Juneteenth Free Day
Digital art space ARTECHOUSE’s current exhibition, “Ase: Afro Frequencies,” — created by London-based Afro-surrealist Vince Fraser with poetry by Ursula Rucker — will be open to the public for free to commemorate Juneteenth.
The venue will offer activities for visitors of all ages and a special “Sorrel Punch” cocktail made with hibiscus and chai from West Africa and inspired by the tradition of celebrating Juneteenth with red food and drinks.
Free with advance registration at the Artechouse website. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. at 439 W 15th Street in Manhattan.
Juneteenth at Joe’s Pub
Founded by Dr. Nnenna Ogwo, the Juneteenth Legacy Project celebrates its 9th year at the Public Theater’s NoHo nightclub with a show filled with reimagined classical music blended with Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, gospel and blues arrangements.
$30 at the door (with two drink min). 6:30 p.m. at Joe’s Pub. 425 Lafayette St. Manhattan
