Juneteenth offers a time to remember the history that Black Americans endured, honor and center Black culture and achievements, and fight for justice and against systematic inequalities that still exist today.
It is an official holiday in New York State, and has been considered a federal holiday since Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in 2021. (You can learn more about its history here.).
So, without further ado, here are some Juneteenth celebrations in NYC that you can take part in this year!
Festivals, Concerts, & Celebrations
1. 3rd annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest
Juneteenth Freedom Fest NYC presents their 3rd annual Juneteenth celebration. This 7-day festival includes panels and fireside-chat discussions, virtual performances, trivia, live entertainment, music, DJ’s, free giveaways and other surprises! Plus there will also be a kiddie zone full of fun activities for kids of all ages, from bounce houses to games and prizes. Learn more here.
When: Tuesday, June 13 – Monday, June 19
2. 14th annual Juneteenth NYC presents: Kaleidoscope of Black Culture
The East New York and Brownsville Community have been a huge support in building the Juneteenth NY Festival into a community staple over the last 13 years, and they’re not stopping anytime soon! The 3-Day Juneteenth celebration kicks off with a free virtual summit and leads into an award ceremony honoring 28 distinguished men from NY for their impact in our community, various vendors and activities, and a free Grand Finale Concert featuring a parade, fashion show, food trucks, field day, and more! Learn more about the celebration here.
When: Friday, June 16 – Sunday, June 18
3. The Black Creatives and Culture Market: Juneteenth Edition
This free three-day festival features 50 BIPOC-owned creative brands, features a poetic justice open mic night, live game night, a wine tasting, and much more! Learn more and check out the full line up here.
When: Friday, June 16 – Sunday, June 18
4. Juneteenth at Seneca Village
Seneca Village was a predominately African-American community that existed before NYC created Central Park, and long before we celebrated Juneteenth. This year you can celebrate Juneteenth as Seneca Village taps into the longstanding power of Black wellness practices to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit. The activity is free and you can join the Juneteenth mailing list to receive event news, information about the artist lineup, Seneca Village history, and more here.
When: Sunday, June 18
5. Soul of the City: Juneteenth with Queen Esther at Museum of the City of New York
Celebrate Juneteenth at MCNY at a live performance by songwriter, musician, and epic storyteller Queen Esther! Queen Esther will perform selections from her substantial body of alt-country, jazz, Black Americana to fearlessly subvert all-too-common historical narratives, revealing the powerfully triumphant resolve of Black folk in the 19th century. Tickets are required, and more info can be found here.
When: Saturday, June 17
6. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Literary Festival
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. Festival programming features some of the most talented writers and influential figures in culture today, and honors the importance of passing down books, positive ideas about reading, and continuing to be bold in our choices at a time when the currents are pushing against the freedom to read and the invaluable service of public libraries. Learn more here.
When: Saturday, June 17
7. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Juneteenth UNITYFEST 2023
Join BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! for Juneteenth UNITYFEST, a BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! concert. This annual event brings together diverse voices in honor of Juneteenth and its impact on Black and American culture, featureing GRAMMY nominee JOE, an accomplished writer and vocalist of smooth and sultry gospel-influenced R&B productions with occasional hip-hop beats, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter and former Mint Condition frontman Stokley, and more! Learn more here.
When: Saturday, June 17
8. Greenwich House’s Juneteenth Jubilee
Greenwich House is once again hosting a “Juneteenth Jubilee” for New Yorkers of all ages to honor Black American culture. The family-friendly interactive performances will investigate the struggle toward freedom, the joy of liberation, and value of Black cultural exploration with storytelling and games, music, African drumming, and a multitude of activities. Learn more here.
When: Saturday, June 17
9. 7th annual Juneteenth Celebration at Battery Park City
Battery Park City’s 7th annual Juneteenth Celebration offers fun and history, art, and music. The Federation of Black Cowboys share history, horsemanship and riding, and you can paint your own Juneteenth flag and make a bandana with bright West African print fabric. Western-style or Juneteenth dress is optional! Learn more here.
When: Saturday, June 17
10. Juneteenth Programming at Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City
NYC’s ultimate festival Summer for the City is celebrating its second year with a couple of Juneteenth events! To a Garden Luxuriously Verdant features performances by Aaron Diehl, Alicia Hall Moran, Martha Redbone, Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber and more and Let Freedom Dance is a dance party hosted by Reverend Dr. Jacqui Lewis and a Silent Disco of reimagined gospel music by Rimarkable. Learn more here.
When: Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18
11. Museum of the Moving Image celebrations
Join us at Museum of the Moving Image for performances, film screenings, media-making activities, and a gallery talk to celebrate Juneteenth. All programs are included with museum admission with the exception of the June 19 gallery talk ($5 ticket, on top of admission). Learn more here.
When: Saturday, June 17 – Monday, June 19
12. Hands-on gardening, crafts, & more at New York Botanic Garden
Join NYBG for hands-on gardening, crafts, tours, culinary demonstrations, and exploration throughout the state-of-the-art Edible Academy campus. Events include cooking demonstrations featuring special guests and the crops of the African American Garden: The Caribbean Experience. Learn more here.
When: Saturday, June 17 – Monday, June 19
13. Brooklyn Museum’s Juneteenth Jubilee
This year the Brooklyn Museum is honoring Juneteenth with a full a full day of activities celebrating self-expression, community, and Black liberation and creativity. Events include a performance of Webbed Fugues by Renegade Performance Group, art-making, food vendors and a bar, and more! This program is free, but registration is required and can be done so here.
When: Sunday, June 18
14. Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth Concert
The Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth concert will return to Times Square for their third annual outdoor concert free and open to the public. Songs, dances, and spoken word performances are on the calendar, featuring Black performers. There will also be appearances from special guest speakers. Learn more here.
When: Sunday, June 18
15. Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s Juneteenth Celebration
Join the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for an afternoon of music, including BKCM Jazz Leaders Fellows Jasmine Wilson and Melvis Santa, among many other fabulous performers coming together to honor the holiday. All are welcome to this free event, with no tickets required. Though they do suggest you RSVP to show your interest and receive the most up-to-date information about the event, which you can do so here.
When: Monday, June 19
16. A celebration of hip hop at SummerStage
Emphasizing the immeasurable impact the Black community has had on music and on NYC, SummerStage will host performances from DJ Premier, widely considered one of the best producers of all time, having worked with The Notorious B.I.G., Janet Jackson, and others, NYC’s own DJ Grandmaster Flash, GRAMMY-winning DJ, producer, and SummerStage alumnus Kid Capri and more! Learn more here.
When: Monday, June 19
17. Juneteenth at Van Cortlandt Park
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Bronx Arts Ensemble are hosting an evening celebration of Juneteenth this year. The program will begin on the back deck of the Van Cortlandt Golf House with performances, including music and spoken word. Then join in on a procession with drums to the Enslaved African Burial Ground for a libation ceremony, honoring the memory of the enslaved people. RSVP required, as space is limited, and can be done so here.
When: Monday, June 19
18. Juneteenth Celebration at Lewis H Latimer House
Celebrate Juneteenth by learning all about African American culture. From a digital poetry workshop and reiki to a musical session with an African dance troupe and tribal body paint, this Juneteenth celebration will be filled with events for everyone to enjoy. Register here.
When: Saturday, June 17, 1:30 p.n. – 4:30 p.m.
19. Black & Queer: A Juneteenth Concert
In collaboration with the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus (NYCGMC) and Christ Church NYC, the business improvement district East Midtown Partnership (EMP) is hosting Black & Queer: A Juneteenth Concert to highlight and celebrate the intersectionality of being Black and queer for the members of the NYCGMC. During the concert, a group of NYCGMC’s Black singers will share what Juneteenth means to them through their own stories, solos, and favorite songs.
When: Monday, June 19, 7 p.m.
20. Recess Kickball League
Recess Kickball League (RKL) is a recreational kickball league based in the New York metropolitan area that focuses on giving BIPOC professionals a place to play sports and build community in between their busy lives. And this Juneteenth the league is inviting the NYC community to celebrate the holiday and the kick off to the season at the 3rd annual Juneteenth at St. John’s Park!
When: Saturday, June 17, 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Food & Drink
21. Weeksville Heritage Center’s Food Festival
The Weeksville Heritage Center x Jummy’s Picks by Black-Owned Brooklyn Juneteenth Food Festival will feature 29 Black-owned food vendors offering African American fare traditional to the holiday, such as barbecue, fried fish, crab boil, red beans and rice, red drinks, and red velvet cake; as well as flavors from regions of Africa and the Caribbean. There will also be a small marketplace of goods that express Black pride and specially curated DJ sets. Learn more here.
When: Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18
22. Juneteenth at Marcus Samuelsson’s Hav & Mar
Marcus Samuellson’s Hav & Mar is honoring the cultural significance of Juneteenth with a special commemorative menu, focusing on ingredients that were eaten by enslaved African people. The prix fixe menu is $75 per person, and menu highlights include:
- Hush Puppies made with Corn and Jalapeno, Akaraje (Black eyed Pea Fritter)
- Teff Biscuits with Honey Butter
- Yucca Fritters
- Lamb Meatballs with Berbere Dip, Awaza BBQ Sauce
- Deviled Eggs 4 Ways with Spicy Crab, Shrimp, Smoked Salmon, Lobster
- Hav Style Fried Chicken with Crispy Cornbread Casserole
- Fire Roasted Red Snapper with Escovitch and Potato Salad
- Rice Pudding with Molasses
When: Saturday, June 17 & Monday, June 19