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Juneteenth 2025: Events and ceremonies across Connecticut
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is being celebrated across the nation leading up to the holiday on Thursday, June 19.
The holiday marks the beginning of the end of slavery in the United States, specifically on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom.
Juneteenth started with handbills proclaiming freedom. Here's what they said
Black Americans have celebrated Juneteenth since the 1800s, however, it has been officially recognized as a federal holiday over the last few years.
About 28 states, including Connecticut, have made it a permanent paid or legal holiday with legislation or executive action, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Here are some events and celebrations being held across the state:
Bloomfield
Juneteenth Run/Walk 5K Race & ParadeDate: Saturday, June 21 | 8 a.m. & 9 Blue Hills Fire Department, 1021 Blue Hills Ave.
Date: Sunday, June 22 | 1–5 Blue Hills Fire Department, 1021 Blue Hills Ave.
Branford
Date: Monday, June 16 | 6–8 Blackstone Library, 758 Main St.
East Hartford
Date: Saturday, June 14 | 11 a.m.–4 East Hartford Town Green, 1047 Main St.
Enfield
Bells for JuneteenthDate: Thursday, June 19 | NoonLocation: Enfield United Church of Christ, 1295 Enfield St.
Hamden
Date: Wednesday, June 18 | 6–8 Miller Memorial Library, 2901 Dixwell Ave.
Date: Saturday, June 21 | 10 a.m.–4:30 Miller Memorial Library
Date: Saturday, June 22 | 3–5 Villano Park
Hartford
Hartford African American Parade & Juneteenth CelebrationDate: Saturday, June 14 | 10 a.m.–3 Keney Park, 337 Vine St.
Date: Thursday, June 19 | 9 a.m.–2 The Artists Collective, 1200 Albany Ave.
Meriden
Date: Wednesday, June 18 | 2–3 Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller St.
Date: Wednesday, June 18 | 2–3 Meriden Public Library (Teen Room)
Date: Wednesday, June 18 | 6–7 Meriden Public Library
Middletown
Date: Thursday, June 19 | 10:30 p.m.–6 Harbor Park, 80 Harbor Dr.
Milford
Juneteenth Flag-Raising CeremonyDate: Friday, June 13 | 12 Milford City Hall, 110 River St.
Date: Saturday, June 14 | 11 a.m.–5 Milford Green
Mystic/Stonington
Mystic Seaport Lecture: Connecticut & JuneteenthDate: Thursday, June 19 | 3-4:30 Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave.
New Britain
Date: Thursday, June 19 | 5–8:30 Central Park, 230 Main St.
New Haven
Date: Friday, June 14 | 7–8:30 New Haven Green
Dates: June 15–22Location: Participating restaurants
Date: Thursday, June 19 | 10 a.m.–6 Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St.
Date: Friday, June 20 | 7–9:30 New Haven Green (Lower)
Date: Saturday, June 21 | 12–5 New Haven Green (Upper)
Date: Saturday, June 21 | 12–6 Edgewood Park Historic District
Date: Saturday, June 21 | 12–5 Dixwell 'Q' House, 54 Dixwell Ave.
Date: Sunday, June 22 | 6:30–9:30 New Haven Green (Lower)
New London
Date: Saturday, June 14 | 11 a.m.–4 Hempsted Houses, 11 Hempstead St.
Date: Wednesday, June 18 | 4:30 New London Public Library, 63 Huntington St.
North Haven
Wine Down for JuneteenthDate: Thursday, June 19 | 6–9 Valor Wines, 118 Quinnipiac Ave.
Portland
Date: Saturday, June 14 | 12–5 Portland Middle School
Simsbury
Farmington Valley Juneteenth CelebrationDate: Saturday, June 14 | 1–5 Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, 22 Iron Horse Blvd.
Waterbury
Date: Friday, June 13 | 5:30–8:30 p.m. Location: Connecticut State Community College – Naugatuck Valley, 750 Chase Parkway
West Hartford
Date: Saturday, June 14 | 11 a.m.–2 West Hartford Town Hall, 50 S Main St.
If an event or ceremony is missing from the list, email to have it added. Please include a location, date, time and a link to the event.
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