Juneteenth is a celebration of 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.
Here are some ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Charlotte.
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas is a free, multi-cultural celebration that is in its 24th year. It will take place June 17th to June 20th, 2021, at House of Africa, 1215 Thomas Avenue, in Plaza Midwood.
Thursday, June 17th, 2021
3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, June 18th, 2021
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday Drum Circle
Saturday, June 19th, 2021
12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Meet at Grady Cole Center, 301 N. Kings Drive at 9 a.m. The Juneteenth Freedom and Unity March will start at 10 a.m. and proceed to House of Africa. (Please note that a previous post said that the march would start at Marshall Park. This was incorrect.)
Sunday, June 20th, 2021
12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Juneteenth Jam
Blumenthal Performing Arts is presenting a free two-day celebration, Juneteenth Jam, in three venues in Uptown Charlotte. The Square (the plaza outside of Spirit Square), Victoria Yards, and the Nascar Hall of Fame Plaza. The celebration will feature live music, interactive dance sessions, an installation of DuragFest and more. It takes place Friday, June 18th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, June 19th, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Durag Fest
Durag Fest’s daytime festivities will be part of Juneteenth Jam in Uptown Charlotte (see above), but in the evening it moves to Camp North End. Durags After Dark: Adult Swim, which takes place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., will include a Wave Contest, DJs, local artist performances, food, and more.
2nd Annual Juneteenth Block Party
The 2nd Annual Juneteenth Block Party takes place Saturday, June 19th, 2021, at 525 Johnson Road, Charlotte. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. it’s a family friendly party, and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be an after party for adults. DJ, community circle, local vendors, raffles, giveaways, more.
QC Juneteenth Fest
BBOC (Black Business Owners Corporation) and Melanated Exchange Market are presenting QC Juneteenth Fest on Saturday, June 19th, 2021, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 7601 The Plaza. The celebration will include live performances, a kids’ zone, community activities, guest speakers, a selfie experience and visual artists.
Juneteenth at Gantt Center
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture is presenting two free cultural activities for Juneteenth. Juneteenth Drum Circle with drums 4 Life takes place on Saturday, June 19th, from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. And the Juneteenth African Dance Experience takes place from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Both of these activities are interactive and free.
Black Food Truck Friday — Juneteenth Edition
Enjoy the offerings of Black-owned food trucks at Black Food Truck Friday — Juneteenth Edition on Friday, June 18th, 2021, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Sonesta Charlotte, 5700 Westpark Drive.
Belmont Juneteenth Celebration
Belmont’s annual Juneteenth Celebration is going virtual again this year. There will be a car parade on June 19th, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street in Downtown Belmont, which you can watch online, and a livestream concert that you can also watch online at 7 p.m. Watch them both on Belmont Juneteenth Celebration’s Facebook page.
2nd Annual Juneteenth Family Fun Festival in Monroe
The City of Monroe, and its Union County neighbors, are presenting the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Family Fun Festival on Saturday, June 19th, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Celebrate the end of slavery of African-American people, as well as the rich and vibrant African-American culture. This event is free, and takes place at Belk Tonawanda Park, 217 IB Shive Drive, Monroe. Pre-registration is not required.
Queen City Juneteenth Festival
The 2021 Queen City Juneteenth Festival has the theme of “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining.” It takes place Saturday, June 19th, 2021, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Fran’s Boys & Girls Center, 2600 W. Trade Street, Charlotte.
The festival features kids’ activities, vendors, giveaways, and more. It’s free to attend.
Davidson Juneteenth Celebration at Ada Jenkins Center
Celebrate Juneteenth in Davidson, at the Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble Street, Davidson, on Saturday, June 19th, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The celebration includes music, kids’ activities, food trucks and more. Award-winning author and illustrator Gordon C. James will read from his work. The first 200 people to check in get a free lunch.
SoulFlo: Juneteenth Edition at Davidson Village Green
SoulFlo: Juneteenth Day Edition is a free event featuring music, storytelling and spoken word in celebration of Juneteenth. It takes place Saturday, June 19th, 2021, at 7 p.m, at The Village Green, at 119 S. Main Street Davidson.
Virtual event with Levine Museum
Levine Museum of the New South is presenting a Virtual Juneteenth Celebration on their Facebook and YouTube pages on Friday, June 18th, 2021, at 12 p.m. This virtual celebration includes music & dancing by BNS Productions, story time, and historical insights by Dr. Willie Griffin. This free, virtual celebration is educational and engaging for all ages.
Juneteenth Market with KellerWilliams
KellerWilliams SouthPark is hosting a Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration on the top parking deck of their building at 5925 Carnegie Blvd, Charlotte, on Saturday, June 19th, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you have questions, contact Erika Pitman at erika@pitmangrouprealty.com.
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