Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated around the country on June 19, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Though the Emancipation Proclamation, a document that legally freed slaves, was signed in 1863, it was more than two years later when slaves in Confederate states were released. On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensured all slaves were freed.
Today, hundreds of thousands of people celebrate the holiday with festivals, picnics and family gatherings that center around African-American freedom, education and achievements. Here are several activities going on in and around Charlotte to celebrate Juneteenth.
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas is taking place June 15th-June 18th at the House of Africa, located at 1215 Thomas Ave in Charlotte. The four-day event will include a talent show, drum circle, craft workshops, African dance performances and more. The cost is free to attend.
Juneteenth Charlotte Celebration Community West is taking place June 16th-June 17th at the Stratford-Richardson YMCA, located at 1946 West Boulevard in Charlotte. Enjoy a Juneteenth drumline, art and fashion walk, live music and entertainment, mini workshops and youth activities. Parking will be available at the Charles H. Parker Academic Center and Grace & Mercy Cathedral. The cost is free to enter but must register online to attend.
Juneteenth at the Charlotte Museum of History located at 3500 Shamrock Drive in Charlotte is taking place June 17th at 11AM. The Charlotte Museum of History will have a variety of events for attendees to to learn about Black History, including tours of the 1774 Historic Alexander Homesite, where slaves once lived, and watching a local artist as they paint a new portrait for the museum’s Path of Portraits exhibit that will feature Charlotteans who participated in sit-ins in 1960 as part of the Civil Rights Movement. Adult tickets are $10 and tickets for seniors and students are $7. Admission is free for children five and under.
Juneteenth at the Gantt is taking place on June 10th, 12PM-6PM at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, located at 551 S. Tryon Street in Charlotte. Join the community archiving workshop on preserving historical artifacts, create a windsock to commemorate the the holiday or participate in a community conversation on the historical context of Juneteenth at the Gantt’s annual holiday celebration.
North Carolina Juneteenth Festival is taking place on June 17th, 1PM-5PM at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, located at 4751 NC 49 in Concord. The 2023 North Carolina Juneteenth Festival themed “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining” will feature 100 Black-owned companies, crafts, performances, art and kids games, perfect for the whole family. The cost is free to enter.
Inaugural Juneteenth Cookout & Father’s Day Celebration is taking place June 17th, 12PM and June 18th, 5PM at Victoria Yards, located at 209 East 7th Street in Charlotte. The event will feature free live music, food from multiple vendors and a spades tournament on June 17. The cost is free to enter but must register online.
For the Struggle: Juneteenth Celebration on the Historic West End Corridor is taking place June 17th, 2PM-6PM at West Charlotte High School, located at 2219 Senior Drive in Charlotte. Bring your family to enjoy performances from African dancers, Black musicians and storytellers, and plenty of activities for children at the fourth annual West End Juneteenth festival. Voter registration and health screening services will also be available. The cost is free to enter but must register online.
Juneteenth Jam is taking place June 17th, 10AM at Knight Theater at the Levine Center for the Arts, located at 430 South Tryon Street in Charlotte. The Juneteenth celebration with “guaranteed fun that will have the whole family jammin’” will include live music, food trucks and a lively celebration of history on Levine Avenue. The cost is free to enter.
Belmont Juneteenth Celebration is taking place June 17th, 2PM-9:30PM at Stowe Park, located at 24 South Main Street in Belmont. Go for the music, art and culture and stay for the vendors providing food and plenty of family-friendly activities. An African-American drum circle, steel drums and and R&B concert finale are just a few things attendees can expect. The cost is free to enter.
Juneteenth Celebration is taking place June 16th, 6PM-9PM at Crossing Paths Park, located at 120 Blythe Drive in Indian Trail. The festival will include arts, dance, music, spoken word and an educational panel discussion. The cost is free to enter.
Juneteenth Rock Hill is taking place June 16th, 6PM at Fountain Park, located at 300 E. Main Street and June 17th, 11AM-2PM at Clinton College, located at 1029 Crawford Road in Rock Hill. Rock Hill’s two-day Juneteenth celebration will feature of full slate of performers, including musicians, dancers, and spoken word artists, and a food truck kickoff with cuisines from many Black-owned businesses. The cost is free to enter.
Town of Davidson Juneteenth is taking place June 17th, 11:30AM-2PM at the Ada Jenkins Center, located at 212 Gamble Street in Davidson. Davidson’s Juneteenth celebration will involve music, dancing, shopping and food trucks, along with plenty of activities for children, like face painting, games and a bounce house. The cost is free to enter.
Durag Festival is taking place June 24th, 2PM-8PM at Camp North End, located at 1824 Statesville Avenue in Charlotte. Attendees can expect an art exhibit featuring more than 20 artists, a Y2K-themed salon, Black-owned food trucks, a street fashion show, wave check contest and live music. Most activities are free but some do require tickets.
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