11 Juneteenth Celebrations in the Triangle

Juneteenth is a celebration that marks 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.

Unfortunately, this year, several traditional events have been canceled because of the current situation. Here’s what is going on.

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We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.

However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake. In addition, we can not guarantee that all events adhere to the safety measures that are necessary at this time, so we encourage you to ask any questions of the organizer, to make your best decision, and to stay safe.

Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.

Juneteenth Celebration Car Parade

Juneteenth Celebration Car Parade
Saturday, June 20th, 2020
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
414 E Main Street, Durham

This car parade in East Durham will feature free masks, census swag, ice cream voting info and more. Make signs at home and decorate your car and join in!

The car parade will be traveling through East Durham, McDougald Terrace, Fayetteville St corridor for a Juneteenth celebration of music and fun as everyone raises awareness of the 2020 Census and gets the Durham communities counted!

Juneteenth Drive-Thru Freedom Parade in Raleigh

Juneteenth Drive-Thru Freedom Celebration
Saturday, June 20th, 2020
10:30 a.m.
Washington Elementary School, 1000 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh

Join up for a drive-thru parade with music and fun. Follow the above link to register to drive.

Juneteenth Festival and Community Cookout

Chris & Ray’s Tasty Cuisine is hosting a Juneteenth Festival and Community Cookout on Saturday, June 20th, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Spring Forest Road Park, 4203 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh.

Juneteenth Open Air Market

Juneteenth Open Air Market
Friday, June 19th, 2020
4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
117 Hunt Street, Durham
Free

The Other America Movement is presenting the Juneteenth Celebration Open Air Market. This will be a day of peace, unity and reflection, celebrating black independence and excellence. Enjoy vendors, music, food and drink.

Historic Stagville

Stagville State Historic Site, at 5828 Old Oxford Highway in Durham, contains the remnants of one of the largest plantations of the pre-Civil War South. It offers programs all year that educate the public about the life of the enslaved people who lived there. Stagville is open Tuesday through Saturday, and offers tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Although it’s not presenting its annual Juneteenth event, this is one of the best places in the Triangle to learn about the lives and struggled of enslaved people, and to learn what freedom meant when it came.

Juneteenth Farm Tours

Juneteenth Farm Tours
Friday, June 19th, 2020
5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Off Grid in Color
11 Daisy Scurlock Road, Moncure
Free

Visit this homestead, meet some animals and explore the woods. Follow the above link to reserve your time and to learn more.

Juneteenth Concert — Digital Block Party

Juneteenth Concert Digital Block Party
Friday, June 19th, 2020
6 p.m.
Free

Beyu Caffê is presenting this virtual concert that will raise money to fight food insecurity in Durham and help support local artists.

#TheBounceBackRDU — a virtual storytelling event

#TheBounceBackRDU — a virtual storytelling event
Friday, June 19th, 2020
7 p.m.
Free

To commemorate the resilient spirit of African Americans and to celebrate Juneteenth, #TheBounceBackRDU, a virtual storytelling event, will stream live on YouTube and Facebook.

#TheBounceBackRDU features eight African Americans sharing stories about a time they fell down but didn’t stay down – they bounced back. The series is produced by Alexus Rhone, founder of Truth Meet Story, LLC, in partnership with Raleigh Arts and SEEK Raleigh.

Lunch and Learn

Lunch & Learn: Celebrating Juneteenth
Thursday, June 18th, 2020
12 p.m.
Free

For this installment of Charlotte Museum of History’s Lunch & Learn series, the museum welcomes Khadija McNair, Assistant Site Manager at Historic Stagville State Historic Site, to explore the enduring legacy of Juneteenth – what it is; why it matters; and celebrate the accomplishments, resistance, and persistence of the people Juneteenth remembers

The Lunch & Learn series uses Zoom to facilitate a short talk followed by a community discussion. Please use this link to register and you will receive the link to join the conversation.

Chatham County’s 3rd Annual Juneteenth Program

Chatham County’s 3rd annual Juneteenth celebration will be virtual. Enjoy cultural performances, education, community conversation on Saturday, June 20th, 2020.

Town of Carrboro Juneteenth Program

The Town of Carrboro is presenting a Juneteenth program, which includes a resolution, Resolution in Recognition of 400 Years of the African American Story. The program will be available on June 19th, 2020, on Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s YouTube Channel.