Celebrate Juneteenth in D.C. with festivals, music and history
Celebrate Juneteenth around D.C. with festivals, history and family-friendly gatherings.
The big picture: Juneteenth — a new federal holiday marking the 1865 emancipation of enslaved people in Texas — has grown in popularity nationally amid Trumpian backlash.
It's become a rich and history-steeped holiday in D.C. with ties to historic Black communities, special museum exhibits and plenty of music and culture.
What's happening:
🎶 Backyard Band at Ivy City Smokehouse
The go-go legends kick off the holiday with a Wednesday night show.
📍 Ivy City | ⏰ 9pm | 💵 $44
🎉 Scotland Juneteenth Festival
Montgomery County's largest celebration honors Scotland's historic Black community with multiple days of events and a full-day festival on Thursday.
📍 Multiple locations | 📅 Ongoing through Thurs | 💵 Free
🗣️ Washington Revels in Old Town
Thursday's two-part program features storytelling with David Olawuyi Fakunle and a Jubilee Voices concert of traditional songs and spirituals.
📍 Old Town Alexandria | 📅 Thurs, 1pm | 💵 Free
🌁 Anacostia Juneteenth Freedom Walk and Jubilee
The Anacostia Renaissance Kollective is holding a freedom walk across 11th Street Bridge starting at 10am, continuing with activities in Anacostia.
📍 Anacostia | 📅 Thurs, 10am–5pm | 💵 Free
🎤 Juneteenth at National Harbor
Festivities include a marketplace of Black creators, dancing, live music — and a waterfront screening of "Black Panther."
📍 National Harbor | 📅 Thurs | 💵 Free
📜 National Archives display
See the original Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth order from 1865 — on view for just four days.
📍 Capitol Hill | 📅 June 19–22 | 💵 Free
🏛️ Mount Vernon "Freedom before Emancipation"
programs, tours, and storytelling.
A full Saturday of yoga, urban gardening, poetry, workshops, and live performances awaits at the Smithsonian museum.
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Is the DMV open on Juneteenth? Yes, here's what else is in Pensacola, Florida
On June 19, 1865, the last enslaved Black people were finally told they were free. The date came 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the Civil War ended. In celebration of Black freedom in the United States, we celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day or the Second Independence Day. Former President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. Now, it makes up one of 11 federal holidays observed every year. Thursday is only the fifth year that Juneteenth has been a federal holiday. Currently, only about half of the states recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday, excluding Florida. Florida state law designates Juneteenth as a day of observance, instead of a holiday. All non-essential federal government buildings will be closed, but what about the stock market, DMV and local grocery stores? Here's what we know. Watson Family Foundation's 4th annual Juneteenth: A Family Reunion for the Culture Festival The free event took place June 14 at Museum Plaza, featuring live entertainment including a performance from "Da Hawg," games, bounce houses, a sweet potato pie contest, domino and spades tournaments, line dancing, food, vendors selling art and African clothing and more. Juneteenth Celebration at the University of West Florida Presented by the Black Employees Association, the UWF Juneteenth celebration on June 16 featured speakers, history presentations, live musical performances, food and more, at the UWF Commons Auditorium. Bruce Beach Kayak Tour: Journey to Juneteenth 9:30 a.m. to noon, June 18, 601 W. Main St. Hosted by the UWF Archaeology Institute and the Florida Public Archaeology Network, those with their own kayaks are invited to join on a free tour of Bruce Beach near the historic Tanyard neighborhood, long a home for Black and Creole folks, as well as immigrants and others. Though there is no cost, tickets are required and can be acquired at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade The 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade will take place at 10 a.m. June 19 in downtown Pensacola after the original January showcase was cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions when the area was hit with a historic snow storm. The theme is 'One Team - One Dream.' Five Sisters' Blues Cafe Juneteenth Celebration 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., June 19, 421 W. Belmont St., in the heart of the historic Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood − a historic neighborhood known for its African American history, music, food and culture. Chef Josh Rich will present a menu featuring barbecued fried ribs, Southern catfish bites, and more. For more details, visit UnityFest 2025 A Community Celebration of Freedom, noon to 4 p.m., June 19, Adoration for a New Beginning Church, 920 W. Government St. A celebration of African American culture for all, featuring live music, a kids zone, free food and more. Details can be found on the Unity Fest 2025 Facebook events page. Gallery Night - Juneteenth: The Art of Freedom 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 20, Palafox Place. More than 70 art vendors will line the street during the festive monthly street celebration, along with music, food and more with a focus on Juneteenth and African American culture. For more, visit More: Juneteenth in Pensacola will be celebration for all, with festivals, food and unity Yes. Former President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. It is one of 11 federal holidays observed every year. The others are: New Year's Day Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Washington's Birthday/Presidents Day Memorial Day July 4 Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas Day Juneteenth will be celebrated on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Juneteenth marks the day, June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved Black people in the United States were finally told — 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the Civil War ended — that they were free. The first Juneteenth celebration was held in Galveston the very next year, in 1866. Early celebrations were smaller, subdued affairs amid renewed calls for racial segregation and the rise of racial violence, lynchings and Jim Crow laws in the state and across the South. It wasn't until the civil rights protests of the 1960s and 70s many decades later when Juneteenth was finally celebrated in a big way as an act of defiance and pride, and it gained new prominence in 2020 after the police murder of George Floyd, a Black man, sparked protests across the country against police brutality, according to USA TODAY. Juneteenth is a federal holiday, not an official state one. For federal workers it's a paid holiday and nonessential federal workers will have the day off, although some businesses offer it as a paid day for their employees. Only about half of the states in the U.S. recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday, although more are considering it. Some Florida county commissions and city councils have declared Juneteenth a recognized holiday and closed offices. 'Juneteenth' is a portmanteau, combining the words 'June' and 'nineteenth,' the day Granger issued the proclamation to more than 250,000 formerly enslaved people in Galveston Bay, Texas. Yes, major grocery stores will be open Thursday, June 19: Publix: Publix will be open on June 19. The supermarket closes only for three holidays during the year: Easter, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Walmart: Open regular hours The Fresh Market: Open regular hours ALDI: Open regular hours. Stores are closed on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, ALDI operates on limited store hours. Winn-Dixie: Open regular hours Target: Open regular hours Ever'man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe: Open regular hours BJ's Wholesale Club: Open regular hours Juneteenth is a federal holiday. All non-essential federal offices will be closed. Postal service retail locations will be closed Thursday and there will be no regular mail delivery except for holiday premium Priority Mail Express, the United States Post Office said in a release. UPS Store locations will be open on June 19, according to the company's holiday schedule, and UPS pickup and delivery services will be available. All FedEx offices will be open on June 19 and all services will be available, the company website says. Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve bank holiday, according to The Federal Reserve is the organization that regulates the nation's banking system. 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Juneteenth Fashion Show at Legacy West honors heritage and highlights rising talent
As the country prepares to celebrate Juneteenth, one North Texas fashion show is blending history with high style. At Legacy West in Plano, the annual Juneteenth Fashion Show is returning for its fourth year, celebrating Black designers, creativity, and the next generation of talent. For show host Leah Frazier, Juneteenth isn't just a holiday; it's an opportunity. "I've always had a passion for designers, and just fashion period," she said. Frazier's dream of merging fashion with heritage launched four years ago, bringing together local and national designers for a high-energy runway celebration. "Everything from streetwear, to formal, to business casual," she said of this year's lineup. "We have 14 designers in the fashion show. I try to keep it at a lower number, but it's impossible because we have so much talent here in the city." Among the participants are students from Cedar Hill High School's costume design program. Their assignment was to reinterpret the "First Freedom Dress," a nod to Sarah Tate, a woman freed in 1865 who sewed an all white dress to mark her emancipation. "We want you to look at this dress, and feel and embody Sarah Tate," Frazier said. "Then create your own emancipation dress that's modernized and contemporary to what she created." "It's been an amazing experience," said student designer Morgan Akins. "It's celebrating the history and culture of the holiday as well," she added. Student Nyilah McDaniel said there was no better feeling than seeing her finished pieces on the runway. "It's amazing watching all my finished products walk the runway and get the recognition," she said. Alongside the student work will be a tribute to Erykah Badu, a menswear collection inspired by the Met Gala, and more. "You are here to celebrate your culture," said Frazier. "We're here to celebrate each other, and it's just fun." A celebration of freedom, expression, and a future sewn with pride. The fashion show takes place on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall. Guests are encouraged to wear all white, honoring the tradition of the first Juneteenth celebrations in 1866.
