8 Free NYC Juneteenth Celebrations for Families
This Saturday, June 19, marks the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, otherwise known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. Just yesterday, President Joe Biden signed a bill establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. June 19, 1865 marks a significant moment in American history, when 250,000 enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas first learned of their freedom, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States with celebrations varying across the country.
So, how will you observe Juneteenth? Families can all celebrate Black culture, joy, love, Black-owned businesses and organizations, and more through the free events below.
BROOKLYN
1. 12th Annual NYC Juneteenth Hybrid Family Festival
Saturday, June 19: 9am - 6pm | Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn
Sunday, June 20: 3pm - 9pm | Restoration Plaza
The 12th Annual Juneteenth NYC Family Festival will begin virtually on Friday, June 18 and will feature both virtual and in-person events for the rest of the weekend. During the 3-day celebration, attendees will enjoy live performances, workshops, family activities, and showcased vendors all gathered to celebrate the achievements of the Black community.
Saturday, June 19: 10am - 8pm | Fort Greene Place at Lafayette Ave.
The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) is hosting an intimate gathering celebrating freedom, community, and the diverse arts and cultures of Brooklyn’s African Diaspora. This socially-distanced, outdoor event will feature art-making activities for kids, local arts organizations and rising Black creatives, and programs for all including wellness and dance workshops and musical performances. Health screenings and vaccine distribution will also be available on site, provided by Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center.
3. Farmhouse Family Day: Celebrate Juneteenth!
Saturday, June 19: 11am - 3pm | Wyckoff House Museum
This free outdoor Family Day will celebrate both Juneteenth and Caribbean Heritage Month with a creative flag-making activity. Plus, explore the farm, play with colonial-era toys and lawn games, enjoy a scavenger hunt, or have a picnic! It is open to all ages, but is ideal for children ages 4-10.
4. Brooklyn Museum: Honoring Juneteenth
Saturday, June 19: 11am - 8pm | Brooklyn Museum Plaza (outdoors)
Come together on the museum steps to hear music and remarks by local community leaders before Good Company Bike Club kicks off its Freedom Ride, a daylong tour of historic Brooklyn locations and landmarks relevant to the Black community, including stops at Black-owned restaurants. In the evening, enjoy live music, food provided by Black Chef Movement, and mindfulness at sunset with Meditating for Black Lives, which uses the principles and practices of various meditation traditions to support community efforts to heal oppression. All day long, you can stop by to share what honoring Juneteenth means to you and participate in community portraits by Brooklyn photography collective Souls in Focus. No tickets are needed.
MANHATTAN
5. Juneteenth Freedom Fest NYC: Block Party
Saturday, June 19: 12pm - 6pm | 129th in Harlem, between 7th & 8th Avenues
Juneteenth Freedom Fest NYC will have its final event on Saturday with a family-friendly block party complete with music, food, vendors, live performances, tournament-style games and trivia games with prizes. For the kids, there will be ice cream, balloons, face painting, bouncy houses and more.
BRONX
Saturday, June 19: 12pm - 5pm | Pelham Bay Park, Stadium Avenue
Join this family-friendly event and experience live performances, arts and crafts, face painting, yoga, Zumba, and much more. Complimentary refreshments and snacks while supplies last.
QUEENS
Saturday, June 19: 10am - 6pm | Roy Wilkins Park, Merrick Boulevard
Juneteenth in Queens 2021 is a community empowered event with Black Creativity, Black Business, Black Love, Black Wealth, Black Networking, Black Opportunity, Black Excellence and Black Joy.
STATEN ISLAND
8. Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Saturday, June 19: 11am - 4pm | Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace
Rain or shine, over 50 Staten Island-based organizations will come together to celebrate Juneteenth. Programming includes areas focused on health and environment, economy and entrepreneurship, arts performances and art making, children and family, youth and teens, history and community. Come to enjoy community, local food, and local market vendors.
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