Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
In the Nation’s Capital, where Black history is woven into the fabric of the city, the holiday is marked with festivals, performances, educational programs, and community celebrations honoring Black freedom, resilience, and culture.
Here’s how the DMV is commemorating Juneteenth this year:
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
Juneteenth Community Day: Honoring Opal Lee and Celebrating 100 Years - NMAAHC | 11a, free with registration
Juneteenth Carnival - BERHTA | 2p - 9p, $23
Ages 21+
DŌGON Juneteenth Celebration - seatings from 4p - 8:45p, $173 per person
Three-course pre-fixe menu, includes a rum punch
Juneteenth Celebration at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum - 10a - 10p, free
Will have performances by IDK, CCB, Black Alley, The Chuck Brown Band, & more
50th Annual AFRAM Festival (6/19 - 6/21) - Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, MD | free
Will have performances by SWV, The LOX, Tamia, Mario, Chloe Bailey, Normani, PJ Morton, Lil Mo, & more
Soulversations Juneteenth Block Party - 12p - 8p, free
A Juneteenth Joint - Transit Pier at The Wharf | 12p - 6p, free with registration
Will have music, Black-owned vendors, & more. 25+ VIP open bar available
Long Live GoGo Juneteenth Celebration - Harrison Park | 3p - 9p, free
Juneteenth Celebration at MahoganyBooks National Harbor - 11a - 4p, free
Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration - National Harbor in MD | 11a - 7p, free
Scotland Juneteenth Festival Family Carnival - Cabin John Regional Park in Bethesda, MD | 11a - 5p, $5
Juneteenth Trunk Show - NMAAHC | 10a - 5p, free with required registration
OurSpace Juneteenth Celebration - 1234 Marion Barry Ave SE | 11a - 8p, free
Juneteenth at the Athenaeum in Alexandria, VA - 6p - 8p, free
Juneteenth Market & Celebration - Bryant St Market | 2p - 6p, free
Juneteenth Event at Spirits & Spice - 4p - 7p, free
Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade - 2220 Branch Ave SE | 11a - 3p, free
Indepen’Dance - National Museum of American History | 4p - 10p, free
Family-friendly festival focused on dance, will have a Beat Ya Feet workshop & live gogo performance from 4p - 7p
Juneteenth on Main Street - Mary & Main in Capitol Heights, MD | 12p - 6p, free
Held at a Black woman-owned dispensary
PARTIES + MIXERS
Juneteenth at Realm: Live with DJ Noble - 4p - 9p, free
At the Vanguard: A ‘90s College Reunion (6/19 + 6/20) - NMAAHC | 6p - 11p, free
MVW presents Black Everything: The Juneteenth Social - Saint-Ex | 6p - 10p, free
Juneteenth Block Party at Langston Golf Course - 4p - 9p, $30+
90’s House Party - Swingers | 8p - 12a, free
Juneteenth Juke presented by Zack Fox & Tromac - Transmission | 6p - 3a (currently waitlist only)
Juneteenth at Diablo’s Cantina - inside MGM National Harbor | 9p - 3a, free
Black Gov Tech | Juneteenth Kickback - Busboys and Poets 14th & V | 6p - 9p, $30
Juneteenth 21+ Day Party - Tuft’n Up Studio & Social in Hyattsville, MD | 12p - 3p, $20+
Ticket includes a glass of wine