Celebrate Juneteenth in and around the Triangle

Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States. The first Juneteenth was June 19, 1865, when in the aftermath of the Civil War, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control and ensure the freedom of all enslaved men, women and children.

Considered the longest-running African American holiday, Juneteenth was finally recognized as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021 – a full 156 years after it was first celebrated. Most federal offices are closed, along with most banks, and mail won't be delivered on Juneteenth.

Don't miss this years Juneteenth celebrations in and around the Triangle. 

June 19: Juneteenth, A Chavis Celebration - The John Chavis Memorial Park is celebrating Juneteenth with two historic celebrations!

Date: Friday, June 19 Time: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Location: John Chavis memorial Park: 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Raleigh, NC 27601

Cost: Free

• Day Party | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Splash into excitement with waterslides and water games, get creative with art on canvas and hands-on crafts, enjoy a live DJ spinning feel-good tunes, explore vendor booths, participate in interactive activities, take advantage of heath and wellness screenings, cool off at the splash pad, and fuel up with delicious offerings from food trucks.
• Night Party | 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Keep the fun going with live bands and performances by local artists, dance to DJ-curated music, enjoy interactive activities, face painting, inflatables, and browse vendor booths, all under the evening sky for a festive and memorable night. There's something for everyone. Don't miss this celebration of culture, community, and joy!

June 19: The Road from Emancipation to Freedom, Part II - Discover the legal and historical significance of Juneteenth with the second of a two-part series delivered by Special Deputy Attorney General Torrey Dixon in partnership with the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum and the Capital City Lawyers Association.

Date: June 19

Time: 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location: City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street Raleigh, NC 27601

June 20: Black History Trolley Tour - All aboard! The historic Raleigh Trolley and learn about Raleigh's most important Black history locations around the capital city.

Hour long tours begin and end at the Mordecai Historic Park. 

Guests are encouraged to arrive early for receipt verification and timely boarding. Receipts are required to board the trolley and will be emailed upon purchase online, by phone, or at the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center. Both digital and printed receipts will be accepted. 

For questions or assistance, please call 919-996-4364. 

Location: Mordecai Historic Park,  1 Mimosa St. Raleigh, NC 27604

Date: June 20

Tour Times: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m.

Cost: $12 for adults  

June 20: 21st Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration.

A celebration of freedom, community and Black History, the 21st Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration takes place on June 20 from 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the CCB Plaza in Downtown Durham, 201 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701. 

June 19: Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth celebration kicks off June 19 at the Hargraves Community Center, 216 N Roberson Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. This annual community event celebrates Black History with live performances, history exhibits and a market with local art vendors and nonprofits. This is a free event.

June 20: Juneteenth Celebration curated by Historian Darrell Stover 

Location: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S. Academy Street Cary, NC 27511

Time: 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Experience the spirit of “freedom dance” as movement takes center stage, honoring expression, resilience, and joy through live performances and moments that invite everyone to join in. 

All performances will take place on the Great Lawn Pavilion.

• 4 – 8 p.m.: Art Cart in the Nest Pavilion
• 4 p.m.: Procession, Welcome, and Proclamation
• 4:20 p.m.: Libation
• 4:30 p.m.: SUAH African Dance Theatre
• 5 p.m.: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Choir
• 5:30 p.m.: United States Colored Troops
• 6 p.m.: Flee Dance and Wellness
• 6:30 p.m.: Poetic Moments in History
• 7:15 p.m.: The Akoma de Gabo Dance and Drum Performance Ensemble
• 8:15 p.m.: Freddy Greene Street Genie

June 19: Fire of Freedom

Location: Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N Taylor St Wake Forest, NC 27587

Fire of Freedom tells the powerful true story of Abraham Galloway, an enslaved man who escaped to freedom and went on to become a Union spy, abolitionist, and political leader during the Civil War. Through this compelling one-man performance, Mike Wiley brings multiple voices to life, guiding audiences through Galloway’s fight for freedom, equality, and citizenship. With minimal set and maximum impact, this moving production offers an engaging and thought-provoking theatrical experience.

This performance is free, but seats are limited.