On Thursday, this year’s Juneteenth holiday will mark 160 years since enforcement of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 — a full two-and-a-half years after Lincoln issued the order on Jan. 1, 1863.
Juneteenth, a combination of “June” and “19th,” is commemorated each year to celebrate the end of slavery, pay remembrance to enslaved people, and acknowledge ongoing threats to Black freedom.
Across Baltimore, community groups, businesses, and individuals will mark Juneteenth with hiking, gardening, a memorial dedication, live music performances, and more.
Find a way to spend the holiday with our Juneteenth events roundup:
Juneteenth Hike, Thursday, June 19, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Patapsco Valley State Park. The nonprofit SoFete is hosting an ancestral power hike for remembrance, release, and radical joy. The trail is beginner-level and shaded. There will be light refreshments provided.
Lewis Museum Jubilee, Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Reginald F. Lewis Museum. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture turns 20 years old this year. To celebrate, the museum is hosting a jubilee on Juneteenth.
Memorial to Enslaved Workers of Canton Plantation, Thursday, June 19, 11 a.m., O’Donnell Square Park, 1021 S. Linwood Ave. The Canton Anti-Racism Alliance will dedicate a new historic marker memorializing 48 enslaved men, women, and children of African descent who worked on the Canton Plantation in 1805.
East Baltimore 2nd Annual Juneteenth Day of Remembrance, Thursday, June 19, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Eager Park, 900 N. Wolfe St. Community members in East Baltimore will commemorate Juneteenth with a day of remembrance, featuring vendors, pony rides, face painting, food trucks, snowballs, and entertainment.
Juneteenth Celebration, Thursday, June 19, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, Catonsville. Catonsville’s Banneker Park Juneteenth celebration will include food vendors, a beer and wine garden, writers, artists, live music, and much more.
Eclectic Goods Juneteenth Market, Thursday, June 19, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Ministry of Brewing, 1900 E. Lombard St. Shop an eclectic range of goods from vendors, including Moongirl Handcrafted, The Portrait of Life, Urban Reads, Intrigue Nouveau, Beaded Babes by Nicki, Warped Vortex Art, Kelley Gardens, and Pottillo & Co.
EXALTED: Juneteenth Jazz and Gospel Festival, Thursday, June 19, 6 p.m., M&T Bank Exchange. The festival will feature live music performances celebrating Black creativity and cultures. The lineup includes Bilal, Phoelix, Callie Day. There will also be food, cocktails, live portrail sketching, and a curated reading lounge from WAX POETICS and partners, with the evening culminating in an after-party.
Juneteenth Sweet Potato Planting, Thursday, June 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Old York Community Farm, 3626 Old York Road. Community members will be planting sweet potato slips on Juneteenth. Participants should bring gloves, water, and bug protection.
The Juneteenth Vibe: Red Cup Experience, Thursday, June 19, 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Luna Del Sea, 300 W. Pratt St. Luv The King of Hearts will emcee this evening of performances by Belizean South Central artist and former “The Voice” contestant Isabell Requena; Baltimore spoken word artist David Ross a.k.a. Native Son; and Red Cup Reggie. DJ Jazz will also be spinning tunes later in the night.
Juneteenth Jubilee, Thursday, June 19, 7 p.m., Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Road. Celebrate African-American music during an evening of remembrance and community. Roderick Demmings Jr. and members of the Govans musical community will lead the program.
Juneteenth Karaoke Celebration, Thursday, June 19, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., The Point in Fells, 1738 Thames St. Sing along to karaoke tunes, from Motown classics to modern favorites.
Juneteenth Celebration, Saturday, June 21, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Turner Station Park. The Turner Station community will celebrate Juneteenth with an event Saturday, featuring food, games, live music, lcoal vendors, and more.
AFRAM Festival, Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22, Druid Hill Park. The city’s official Juneteenth celebration, AFRAM is one of the largest African-American cultural arts events on the East Coast. The free festival will be headlined by “Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle and will feature performances by a variety of other artists. Read more about AFRAM in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Juneteenth Freedom Day, Sunday, June 22, 9 a.m., 6000 Radecke Ave. Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries will celebrate Black excellence with their Juneteent Freedom Day event.
