Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas

Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of the enslavement of African-American people in the United States.

It marks the day, June 19, 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.

Here are some ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Charlotte, including festivals, parades, educational events and more. Then keep reading for a day-by-day list of Juneteenth events, or jump to the day-by-day list. The day-by-day list includes additional events.

Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas is a free, multi-cultural celebration that is in its 26th year. It will take place at House of Africa, 1215 Thomas Avenue, in Plaza Midwood. It takes place from June 13 to 16, 2024.

The free celebration includes a drum circle, entertainment, youth culture camp and much more. Make sure to verify all specific events on the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas website, as there could be changes.

Thursday, June 13:

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Youth Day Camp

Friday, June 14:

5 to 9 p.m.

Inaugural Drum Circle
More

Saturday, June 15:

11 a.m.

Juneteenth Freedom March for Peace & Unity starts at Skyla Credit Union, 718 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC

12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Main celebration, including opening ceremony, live entertainment

Sunday, June 16:

11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Gospel Fest, live entertainment, closing ceremony

The Homage Exhibit

The Homage Exhibit, a private collection of more than 650 original artifacts, documents and pieces of art that showcase the Africa American experience, will be on display at the UNC Charlotte Portal Building Atrium, 9319 Robert D. Snyder Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. It’s free to visit.

Indian Trail Juneteenth Celebration

The Town of Indian Trail is hosting its third Juneteenth Celebration on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Crossing Paths Park, 120 Blythe Drive, Indian Trail. The free family event includes art, dance, music, spoken word and an educational panel discussion.

Lancaster, South Carolina

The Juneteenth Freedom Weekend Celebration in Downtown Lancaster, South Carolina, takes place June 14, 2024, from 5 to 10 p.m., and June 15, from 3 to 10 p.m. It features Live music, dance performances, a kids’ zone, a bazaar and more.

Waxhaw

Waxhaw’s Juneteenth Celebration takes place on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Waxhaw’s Downtown Park, 301 Givens Street, Waxhaw, North Carolina. It features drumming, dancing, kids’ activities, vendors and more.

Queen City Juneteenth Parade

The 3rd Annual Queen City Juneteenth Parade will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Pre-parade events and a vendor market opens at 9 a.m., and at 10 a.m. the parade kicks off. It’s happening at Central Piedmont Community College Cato Campus, 8120 Grier Road, Charlotte, NC.

North Carolina Juneteenth Festival

The 2024 North Carolina Juneteenth Festival takes place Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 North Carolina 49, Concord, NC.

This family-friendly festival is free to attend. The festival features kids’ activities, vendors, giveaways, and more.

Juneteenth Jam Kickoff Block Party

Blumenthal Arts is presenting the Juneteenth Jam Kick-off Block Party on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Levine Avenue of the Arts. The event features art, music and fashion from the African diaspora. This is a free event.

Gastonia EbonyFest

The Sixth Annual Gastony Ebony Fest takes place on two days. On Saturday, June 15, 2024, there is a health and wellness fair, a parade and festival. On Wednesday, June 19, the festival concludes with fireworks.

Belmont Juneteenth Celebration

Belmont’s annual Juneteenth Celebration returns to Belmont’s Stowe Park, 24 S Main Street, Belmont, NC, on June 15, 2025, 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It will feature arts and crafts, music, food and more.

Davidson

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble Street, Davidson, North Carolina, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. At this free events there will be a DJ and dancing, performances, food trucks, dessert trucks and a kids’ zone. The first 400 people get a free meal.

Monroe

City of Monroe Parks & Recreation is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 3 to 8 p.m., at Belk Tonawanda Park, 217 I B Shive Drive, Monroe, North Carolina. This free event will include live music, food, vendors and amusement rides.

University City Juneteenth Art Fest

The first University City Juneteenth Art Fest, presented by University City Partners, takes place Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Shoppes at University Place, 8801 JM Keynes Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina. The free event features music, spoken word, visual art, interactive art experiences and more.

Juneteenth at the Gantt

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, at 551 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, is hosting a Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 12 to 6 p.m. It’s free to attend and for all ages. The celebration includes live performances, art workshops, historical and cultural analysis and more.

Kannapolis Juneteenth Celebration

The Kannapolis Juneteenth Celebration takes place Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Veterans Park, 119 N Main Street, Kannapolis, North Carolina. The celebration includes guest speaker Dr. Carol S. Spalding, music, food, vendors and fun. This is a free celebration. Then, at 6 p.m., join the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers as they retire Jackie Robinson’s number, 42. There are discounted tickets at only $10, while available.

Matthews “Evening of Homecoming” Juneteenth Celebration

Celebrate Juneteenth at An Evening of Homecoming at Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, North Carolina, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will include food trucks, performances and art. The first 75 diners will receive a $20 voucher for the food trucks.

Concord-Cabarrus

The Concord-Cabarrus Juneteenth Celebration takes place Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Barber-Scotia College, 145 Cabarrus Avenue West, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Historic Rosedale

Historic Rosedale, at 3427 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, is hosting a free Juneteenth event on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It features discussions, kids’ activities, demonstrations and more.

President James K. Polk State Historic Site

The President James K. Polk State Historic Site is presenting a talk by the Director of the NC African American Heritage Commission on Juneteenth in North Carolina. It takes place on June 22, 2024, at 11 a.m. It’s free and open to all ages. The Polk Historic Site is at 12031 Lancaster Highway, Pineville, North Carolina.