Juneteenth is almost here! The holiday, also known as Freedom Day, celebrates the day in 1865 when remaining enslaved people in Galveston were notified that they were free following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier. This year’s Juneteenth (June 19) falls on a Thursday.
Austin has lots of ways to celebrate throughout the week. Here’s what we’re looking forward to:
🥳 Stay Black & Live: Austin's Juneteenth Festival — June 14
The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, 1165 Angelina St., is hosting the 6th annual Stay Black & Live Citywide Juneteenth Celebration on June 14 at 11 a.m. The free day kicks off with a car show and parade before the festival lawn opens at noon. The museum will have barbecue, arts and crafts, games, activations, and more. The music festival portion of the day starts at 4 p.m. RSVP online.
🛍️ 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration with Black Makers Market — June 14
More than 35 Black makers and artists will be at this year’s Black Makers Market on June 14 at VUKA North Loop on 5540 N. Lamar Blvd. Shopping starts at noon and includes DJ sets, Black-owned food trucks, a mocktail bar, giveaways, and more. The event is free to attend.
🎶 10th Annual Nourishing The Soul Juneteenth Celebration — June 18
Victory Grill — 1104 E. 11th St. — is hosting the 10th Annual Nourishing The Soul Juneteenth Celebration on June 18 at 7 p.m. The night includes music performances by Nala Washington, Pat G, Bobbie Jean, Anastasia Hera, and Poet Hawkins. The event is free to attend.
🎉 Central Texas Juneteenth — June 19
The annual Central Texas Juneteenth parade starts at 10 a.m. in East Austin at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Leona Street and is free to attend. The parade will finish around noon outside Rosewood Neighborhood Park. A free festival at the park will kick off at noon and run through 9 p.m. The event includes food, shopping, kids activities, music, and more.
🏡 The Neill-Cochran House Museum Juneteenth Celebration — June 22
The Neill-Cochran House — 2310 San Gabriel St. — is celebrating Juneteenth and the opening of its newest exhibit “A Juneteenth Rodeo” on June 22. The day starts at noon and includes lunch, guided tours, a gospel choir performance, and an exhibit opening reception and cocktail hour. The day is free to attend.
