Observe a Brooklyn Juneteenth With Events Around the Borough

Brooklynites can mark Juneteenth this year with a busy calendar of events that offer the chance to soak up a bit of knowledge while celebrating.

The Juneteenth holiday commemorates the day when news of Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. While Black Brooklynites of the 19th and early 20th century often held celebrations on or near January 1 when the proclamation was officially released, by the late 20th century Juneteenth had evolved into a national, rather than just regional, celebration of African American family, freedom, and achievement.

Texas was the first state to declare it a public holiday in 1980. It was established as a commemorative day in New York State in 2004, became an official public holiday in the state in 2020, and a federal holiday in 2021.

With the official Juneteenth holiday falling on a Wednesday this year, Brooklyn events are spread throughout the weekend. Check out the online info for each event for full details on the programs and how to RSVP.

15th Annual Juneteenth NY Festival
Linden Park, East New York
June 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The full festival runs for several days, with an awards ceremony and a virtual summit bookending the Juneteenth Family Fun Day Festival on June 15. The full-day event will include performances, food, vendors, a fashion show, and activities for all ages.

Juneteenth Food Festival: A Celebration of Black Food and Culture
Weeksville Heritage Center
June 15, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Join Weeksville and Jummy’s Picks by Black-Owned Brooklyn for their third annual Juneteenth Food Festival with over 40 food vendors and artisans in a celebration of Black culture. In addition to the tasty eats and goods from Black-owned businesses, there will be performances, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and music.

Farmhouse Family Day: Juneteenth
Wyckoff House Museum
June 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In celebration of Juneteenth, the historic farmhouse will be hosting storytelling, crafts, and other activities for their monthly Farmhouse Family Day. They will also kick off the start of their farm-stand season with fresh vegetables and herbs for sale and goods from neighborhood vendors.

KowTeff’s 14th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Bed Stuy Restoration Plaza
June 15, 12 to 8 p.m.
Get moving with dance and fitness classes or take in a performance at the annual celebration by the KowTeff School of African Dance. There will also be an African marketplace, a natural hair show, and activities for children and seniors.

Saddles and Soul: A Juneteenth Black Western Celebration
Brooklyn Museum
June 15, 12 to 8 p.m.
A day of celebration at the museum will include music, art making, food, and games. The events happen throughout the museum and the events are free with museum admission. The exhibit “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys” will be open for after-hours viewing for those with separate exhibit tickets.

We Outside! A Brooklyn Juneteenth
The Plaza at 300 Ashland
June 15, 12 to 8 p.m.
The plaza will be filled with music, poetry, storytelling art, and a Black maker’s market as 651 ARTS hosts an annual Juneteenth celebration. In collaboration with The Soapbox Presents, the day is envisioned as a celebration of the cultural contributions of Black people with fun for all ages.

Juneteenth Family Day
Green-Wood Cemetery
June 15, 1 to 4 p.m.
Explore the Black history of the cemetery with an afternoon of children’s art activities and the opportunity to take a self-guided tour. A map to the gravesites of notable Black figures will be available at the historic chapel where the art activities will also take place. Registration is recommended for the free event, but is not required.

Juneteenth: Brooklyn and the Abolitionist Movement
Brooklyn Bridge Park
June 19, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers for a free walking tour exploring the history of the abolitionist movement in Brooklyn.

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival: Juneteenth UNITYFEST
Lena Horne Bandshell, Prospect Park
June 19, 6 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)
The evening of music and storytelling, envisioned by Grammy-nominated African American artist Robert Randolph, will feature DJ Spinna, Erlin Bobb, Monique Bingham, and more artists. Entry will be first come, first served.

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• The Hiram S. Thomas Story: Brownstones, Potato Chips, Black Excellence in 19th Century Brooklyn
• Black Folks in 19th Century Brooklyn

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