Juneteenth is right around the corner, y’all! The holiday celebrates the day in 1865 when remaining enslaved people in Galveston were notified that they were free, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
Celebrations for this year’s Juneteenth, which is next Friday, kick off this weekend in the Austin area.
Here’s what you should add to your calendar:
Party at Freedom + Juneteenth
Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park is hosting a free Juneteenth party on June 14 that includes a vendor market, DJ sets, food, and more. The fun starts at 5 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m.
Celebrate at the Library’s 100-Year Juneteenth Community Cookout
Austin Public Library is celebrating Juneteenth and the library’s 100th anniversary at the Carver Branch in East Austin on June 14. Head over between noon and 3 p.m. for food, music, dancing, games, crafts and a Dominoes tournament. The event is free to attend.
Get Your Steps In at the Annual Juneteenth FunRun
The city’s African American Cultural and Heritage Facility is hosting a fun run at 8:30 a.m. on Juneteenth. The run follows the same route as the parade later that day and is free to attend.
Walk in a Parade and Then Head to a Festival
The annual Juneteenth parade starts at 10 a.m. on June 19 at the intersection of East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Leona Street. The route goes south on Chicon Street and ends at Rosewood and Boggy Creek parks. The Central Texas Juneteenth Festival starts in the parks at noon and goes until 9:30 p.m.
Hang Out at the Carver
The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural, and Genealogy Center is hosting its Juneteenth event on June 20 starting at 11 a.m. The kickback is free to attend and includes barbecue, music, hands-on activations, shopping, and more.
Reflect at the Neill-Cochran House Museum
The Neill-Cochran House Museum is hosting a day of reflection and celebration on June 21 from noon to 4 p.m. The event is free to attend and includes barbecue, live music, and tours.
