Juneteenth is a celebration that commemorates the end of the enslavement of African-American people in the United States.
It marks the day, June 19th, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation (which had been issued on January 1st, 1863) was finally read to enslaved African–Americans in Texas.
It took more than two years for word of freedom to get to enslaved people, and freedom is still a process. Some of the Juneteenth events are calls to action, and all encourage community involvement.
We will list Juneteenth Celebrations in the Triangle, as soon as they’re announced.
There are so many celebrations on the list that you might want to just see a concise list of events. If so, just jump to the end, where they’re listed by day.
Juneteenth Celebration in Wake Forest
Wake Forest’s Juneteenth Celebration includes a community gathering at Taylor Street Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and several events on Saturday, June 15, 2024. There will be a walking parade at 10 a.m. at Hope House, a Freedom Historical Walk at 10:35 a.m. at The Dubois Center, a festival from noon to 4:30 p.m. at The Dubois Center, and Alley Young House Tours from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Juneteenth at the Pines
Celebrate Juneteenth at Carolina Pines Park, 2305 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, Friday, June 14, 2024, from 8 to 10 p.m. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. This is a free event for ages 18+, although there will be a kids zone for kids ages 5-12.
Juneteenth Celebration at Dix Park
The Juneteenth Celebration at Dix Park takes place at Harvey Hill, 693 Palmer Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s free to attend and includes entertainment, kids’ activities, food trucks and more.
Garner Juneteenth Celebration
The Town of Garner is presenting the Garner Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 W Garner Road, Garner, NC.
Apex Juneteenth Celebration
The Apex Juneteenth Celebration takes place on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at The Depot, 220 N. Salem Street, Apex. It will feature performances, Juneteenth stories, art and more.
Cary’s Juneteenth Celebration
Town of Cary is holding a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 1 to 7 p.m., at Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy Street, Cary, North Carolina. The free celebration will feature live music, poetry, food trucks and vendors.
Bragtown Juneteenth
The Bragtown Community Association’s Juneteenth Celebration takes place Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Lakeview Park, 3500 Dearborn Drive, Durham, North Carolina. The free celebration features a kids’ fun zone, music, comedy, spoken word, Gospel Fest, and more.
Mebane’s Juneteenth Freedom Day Community Celebration
The Mebane Juneteenth Freedom Day Community Celebration will take place Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Mebane Community Park, 550 W Center Street, Mebane, North Carolina.
The celebration will feature speakers, entertainers, vendors, food and fellowship.
John Chavis Memorial Park Juneteenth Jubilee
Chavis Park is holding Juneteenth Jubilee, 10 days of Juneteenth events and activities, including music, fitness, dancing, art and history. The events take place from June 10 to 19, 2024.
Mordecai Historic Park
Mordecai Historic Park, 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, is hosting a Juneteenth celebration on June 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities will include a themed park tour, historic games and crafts, and workshops on oral history and African American genealogy. Admission is free, but there’s a charge for tours and workshops.
Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration
The NC Juneteenth Celebration will take place Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 1 to 8 p.m., at the NCCU Latham Surface Lot, 705 E Lawson Street, Durham, North Carolina. This free event includes live music, a kids’ zone, a health fair and more.
Chapel Hill – Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration
The 3rd Annual Chapel Hill – Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration takes place Sunday, June 16, 2024, at 2 p.m., at Hargraves Community Center, 216 N. Roberson Street, Chapel Hill. This free event features music, fun, food and more.
Juneteenth in Our Courts
The North Carolina Public Defender’s Association and the NCCU School of Law Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute are presenting Honoring Juneteenth In Our Courts takes on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 12:30 to 4 p.m., at NCCU New Student Center, 500 Nelson Street, Durham, NC. The event is free and open to all. This educational event commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Americans, whose descendants are disproportionately represented in our criminal justice system.
Party in the Park: Juneteenth Edition at RTP
Celebrate freedom at Party in the Park: Juneteenth Edition on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 12 to 2 p.m., at Hub RTP Experience Center, 300 Park Offices Drive, Morrisville, North Carolina. There will be a DJ, giant yard games and food trucks. The first 150 guests get a free RTP picnic blanket and the first 50 get a free icee.
Juneteenth at the Nasher
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Drive, Durham, North Carolina, is celebrating Juneteenth on Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be spoken word, poetry workshops, interactive art and a cash bar. Free admission.
North Carolina Museum of History
Juneteenth: In Song & Word takes place at North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E Edenton Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday, June 21, 2024, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. It’s free to attend, but registration is required.
Juneteenth in JoCo
Smithfield’s Juneteenth in JoCo, on Saturday, June 22, 2024, begins with a parade at 10 a.m., leaving from Alumni Center, 1110 Massey Street, and continues with a celebration and cookout from 3 to 6 p.m. at Smith Collins Park, 909 E Lee Street.
Historic Stagville
Stagville State Historic Site, 5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, is holding its annual Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a free event that includes talks and guided tours about emancipation, and a pop-up display about freedom seekers at Stagville.
Manifest Juneteenth in Fuquay-Varina
Manifest Fuquay-Varina is presenting a Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 2 to 9 p.m., at Fuquay Varina Arts Center, 123 East Vance Street, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.
Aya Shabu says
Please include in your listing the Juneteenth celebration at the Hayti Heritage Center on 804 Old Fayetteville St. in Durham, NC on Friday, June 18th from 3 -9 pm hosted by the Fayetteville St. Corridor Fellows, e Connected, Village of Wisdom, and Hayti Heritage Center.
N. Feaste says
Thank you for the thorough update.
Vondra Moore says
Please add to the list:
Burlington
Burlington will kick off the Juneteenth celebrations on Friday, June 17 at North Park.
Food, music and games will be available at the third annual event located at 817 Sharpe Road, Burlington. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Mebane
The Mebane Recreation and Parks Department will host a Juneteenth community celebration on Saturday, June 18 at the Mebane Community Park. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., food trucks, vendors, community groups, live entertainment will be set up at the park.
Local judges, church leaders and represented officials will speak throughout the event.
The park is located at 550 W. Center St., Mebane.
Green Level
For the second year, the town of Green Level will host a Juneteenth celebration at the Green Level Municipal Park on Sunday, June 19 at 6 p.m. Festivities will include games, vendors, food, entertainment and a fireworks show at sundown.
The inaugural event welcomes over 1,500 visitors and 30 vendors last year so its likely to see a big turn out once again.
The park is located at 1414 Swann Road, Green Level.
Karen says
please list Smithfield Juneteeth event.