Community Corner
Juneteenth 2021: NYC Events Roundup
A list of NYC-based events commemorating Juneteenth.
NEW YORK CITY — Juneteenth, officially made a federal holiday by President Joe Biden Thursday – will offer bountiful in-person and virtual events in New York City this year to mark the oldest, nationally celebrated commemoration marking the end of slavery on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas.
Below is a list of Juneteenth events to support Black joy, excellence and love, Black-owned businesses and organizations and Black culture. Scroll to the bottom of the list for virtual events, and revisit this page for more events and updates.
Share more events with the reporter at sarahbelle.lin@patch.com.
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What: Free music, artists, performances and more. Organized by the Mayor's Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity (TRIE). Free to attend.
When: Friday at 6 p.m.
Where: Saint Nicholas Park, James Baldwin Lawn
What: First annual Juneteenth Festival at the Historic Harlem Parks — Marcus Garvey, Morningside, Jackie Robinson and St. Nicholas. The free, all-day event will include more than a dozen separate programs from 11 a.m. into the evening.
Marcus Garvey Park (East Lawn):
- What: Commemorative dance, music, pop-up photo booth, storytime, Historic Fire Watchtower Tours and more.
- When: Saturday from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. .: Commemorative dance by Jamel Gaines' Creative Outlet
Morningside Park (114th Street Lawn):
- What: Spirit drumming and dance circle, Juneteenth storytelling, pop-up photo booth, meditative walks, Harlem Chamber Ensemble, PAL Actors power hour, health fair and more.
- When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Park (Amphitheater at 148th Street & Bradhurst Ave.):
- What: Dance classes ranging from West African dance, Vogue fundamentals and Afro dance. Free to attend (Eventbrite tickets here).
- When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Juneteenth Freedom Fest NYC: Block Party
What: Juneteenth Freedom Fest NYC will have its grand finale on Saturday with a family-friendly block party complete with music, food, vendors, live performances, tournament-style games and trivia games with prizes. For the kids, there will be ice cream, balloons, face painting, bouncy houses and more. Free to attend.
When: Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.
Where: 129th in Harlem, between 7th and 8th avenues
What: GoodVibesInThePark has crafted a specially curated event featuring live DJ, guest speakers, guided meditation, demonstrations and a Juneteenth exhibition booth.
When: Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.
Where: St. Nicholas Park at West 135th Street lawn
What: An outdoor gathering with libation, exhibition honoring African American and Indigenous history in the Lower East Side, readings by community members, art projects and performances by Sky Manna Band and Bobby Bryan.
When: Saturday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: M’Finda Kalunga Garden, 165 Forsyth St #133
Black Joy Is Revolutionary: A Strategy For Black Lives Juneteenth Celebration
What: An outdoor celebration to promote Black excellence and joy. Features music by DJ Complete and DJ Active and vendors. Organized by Strategy for Black Lives.
When: Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
Where: Riverbank State Park
What: A solidarity march in the form of a 5K walk/run. NYC-based run crews and community groups in fellowship. The event will cover Highbridge, Jackie Robinson, St. Nicholas and Morningside parks from The Heights to Harlem. Immediately following the 5K, the event is hosting the Marching Cobras, and collaborating with community groups passionate about health and wellness. Free to attend.
When: Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Highbridge Park, Edgecombe and 168th Street
Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth
What: A free outdoor event centered around Black joy and unity that will feature Black Broadway performers in a 90-minute concert. Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth will feature cast members from such shows as Girl from the North Country, The Lion King, Moulin Rouge, The Phantom of the Opera, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Thoughts of a Colored Man, with special appearances by Lillias White, Ben Vereen, and more to be announced.
When: Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Times Square, Broadway between 43rd & 44th Streets
What: Experience Harlem's scores of Black entrepreneurs, small businesses, artists and artisans, then sip a complimentary* Maker’s Mark cocktail to celebrate.
When: Saturday to Sunday
Where: Various locations in Harlem
What: March to celebrate the day the good news was spread to African Americans 155 years ago. We embody the joy they felt knowing they were enslaved no longer. Although not fully free, we can imagine they danced and clapped, hooted and hollered, wept and smiled. So after a long fight, we too shall dance and sing. Bringing Black Joy. Organized by Unite NY.
When: Saturday at noon
Where: Foley Square
Coming Together: A Juneteenth Celebration
What: To honor the Juneteenth emancipation holiday, Concerts For Kids presents Coming Together, a joyous celebration of Black culture through music, dance, and poetry. Coming Together explores the importance of family—in all its forms—and how vital connection is to resilience and transformation.
When: Saturday at noon
Where: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
I Dream a Dream That Dreams Back at Me: A Juneteenth Celebration
What: Conceived and curated by the award-winning poet and artist Carl Hancock Rux, I Dream a Dream That Dreams Back at Me is an experiential site-specific event celebrating the Juneteenth emancipation holiday. Move across the Lincoln Center campus and experience the performance unfolding around you in multiple distinct parts—ending with a seated concert.
When: Saturday at 7 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Juneteenth: The Lot Radio at the Library for the Performing Arts
What: The Library for the Performing Arts will collaborate with the online radio station The Lot in an observance of Juneteenth. Guest DJs will spin from the Music & Recorded Sound Division’s vast collection of music and spoken word recordings in a live broadcast that celebrates African American culture and that reflects upon the meaning of Black freedom.
When: Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Library for the Performing Arts Outdoor Reading Room, Amsterdam Avenue & W. 65th Street
What: Tribeca’s Juneteenth Programming will celebrate the richness of Black stories and storytellers from the African Diaspora across feature and short films, Tribeca Talks, Immersive, podcasts, music and other special events during the Festival. This diverse filmmaker program will debut 10 short films from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) creators. We are also introducing the “Black Filmmaker Foundation Panel: Is the Past Really Past?”, which will feature a discussion with notable writers, directors and actors.
When: Saturday
- Tribeca Talks: Stacey Abrams at The Battery (1 p.m.) - Free to Attend
- All other tickets for feature films, documentaries, short films, outdoor in-person immersive installations, VR installations and Tribeca talks can be found here.
Where: Online and In-Person
Make My Cake Grand Opening in Harlem
What: Over a span of 25 years Aliyyah Baylor, CEO/Owner brand will open her second existing location on the legendary 125th Street for the official ribbon cutting of Make My Cake Bakehouse & Coffee Shop. The sweet celebration will take place on Juneteenth (now an official holiday in New York State) with NYC notables from business, culinary, community organizations and NYC elected officials.
When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Make My Cake Bakeshop & Coffee Shop, 409 West 125 Street (at Morningside Avenue)
Brooklyn
What: This year, the one-day event has turned into a three-day summit that starts Friday with professionals and residents talking about health and wellness. On Saturday, there will be a hybrid virtual and in-person festival. On Sunday, you can attend an event highlighting aspiring youth entrepreneurs at a Juneteenth Pomp. Free to attend (Eventbrite tickets here).
When: Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (online kickoff)
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Herbert Von King Park, 670 Lafayette Ave.)
Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Bed-Stuy Restoration, 1368 Fulton St.)
Where: Online and various locations
What: A three-day event filled with music, performances, food and Black joy. Friday will have a community service event. Saturday will see a massive cookout. On Sunday, throw your quads on for a night of skating.
When: Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.
Sunday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Various locations in Prospect Park
What: Pop-up shops, live performances, after-parties and networking events.
When: Friday from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Saturday from 5 p.m. to TBA
Where: Now And Then NYC, 290 Meserole St.
651 ARTS’ Juneteenth Celebration: (RE)VISION
What: A weekend of film screenings that center on the theme of futurism in the spirit of moving forward in the ongoing fight for equality and justice in a post-pandemic world. The celebration include live “silent” film screenings (headsets to be provided) held outdoors.
When: Friday at 8 p.m. (waitlist only)
Saturday at 8 p.m. (waitlist only)
Where: The Plaza, 300 Ashland Place in Downtown Brooklyn
Joyteenth: A Celebration of Freedom
What: Celebrate freedom & Black joy with a march and festival including celebrity appearances, special guests, live performances, music and more. Free beverages and food. Presented by Freedom March NYC, Afropunk, Justice League NYC and others.
When: Saturday starting at noon
Where: Meet at Brooklyn Museum for march. Meet at Long Meadow, Prospect Park for festival.
SUPER SÁBADO | Celebrate Afro Caribbean Joy + Resilience
What: In celebration of Afro-Caribbean joy and resilience, join us for our first in-person Super Sabado, featuring roller-skating presented by Butter Roll; an art-making workshop for families inspired by ESTAMOS BIEN – LA TRIENAL 20/21 ; and live music by DJ’s Ultraviolet, Nina Vicious, and Bembona. Skate rentals will be provided by Skaterobics on a first come, first serve basis. In collaboration with El Puente and Hope Community Garden. (RSVP on Eventbrite here)
When: Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Hope Gardens Community Center, 422 Central Avenue
Juneteenth Father's Day Biker's Bash
What: Featuring NYC's largest bike show, live music and small business pop-up. Free to attend.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Marcy Plaza, corner of Fulton Street and Marcy Avenue
Brooklyn Museum: Honoring Juneteenth
What: Come together on the museum steps to hear music and remarks by local community leaders before Good Company Bike Club kicks off its Freedom Ride, a daylong tour of historic Brooklyn locations and landmarks relevant to the Black community, including stops at Black-owned restaurants to rest and replenish. In the evening, enjoy live music, food provided by Black Chef Movement, and mindfulness at sunset with Meditating for Black Lives, which uses the principles and practices of various meditation traditions to support community efforts to heal oppression. All day long, stop by to share what honoring Juneteenth means to you and participate in community portraits by Brooklyn photography collective Souls in Focus. Free to attend, and no tickets needed.
When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Museum Plaza (outdoors)
What: An outdoor exhibition at the Center for Brooklyn History. Brooklyn Resists tells the stories of Black Brooklynites and how they have responded to systemic racial injustice, rising up against those systems, and how the protest movement of the present ties to the generations of activists and leaders who came before.
When: Starting Saturday, June 19, through late September
Where: On the corners of Pierrepont and Clinton streets
The Big Black Kickback Juneteenth 2021 NYC
What: The Big Black Kickback is a Black-centered, dual-state event featuring free food and games, including a Big Black Field Day, with relay races and prizes, Big Black Graduation, a celebration of the class of 2021 and the Big Bank Bazaar, a unique picnic-style pop up, showcasing local Black owned businesses.
When: Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Prospect Park Long Meadow
What: Join Riders for Black Lives for a Juneteenth Solidarity Ride. This ride will feature five stops at historic and cultural locations that highlight the contributions of Black people to the history and development of our city. All donations are welcomed and will directly impact local community fridge projects.
When: Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at Brooklyn Museum
What: To all the skaters, dancers and food lovers, celebrate freedom together with an outdoor pop-up roller disco party. Skate rentals available on-site. Advance tickets are $10, not including fees. Door tickets are $20, not including fees (Eventbrite tickets here).
When: Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Terrace Park, 299 Buffalo Ave.
Coalition for Educational Justice: Juneteenth Celebration
What: Join CEJ for a day of celebration, learning, fellowship and political action. This event will have learning stations to learn more about the mayoral candidates, school integration, police-free schools, culturally responsive education and how to influence the city budget. Free to attend.
When: Saturday at noon
Where: Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, corner of Centre and Chambers streets
Cadman Park Conservancy: Juneteenth Celebration
What: The event will feature Brooklyn-based, Black-owned businesses to support, two community workout sessions, live music by J4K Trio band, a dance performance by the Gowanus Wildcats, prominent speakers including Attorney General Letitia James, State Sen. Brian Benjamin, New York City Council Members Robert Cornegy and Farah N. Louis and Kings County Civil Court Judge Dweynie Paul. Attendees will be eligible for free ride credits to Cadman Plaza Park courtesy of Lyft. Free to attend.
When: Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Juneteenth Grove, Cadman Plaza Park, Tillary Street at Court Street
What: Come get a taste of Brooklyn as we stroll through Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights sampling delicious food and boozy cocktails at Black-owned establishments. Participants will be privy to exclusive discounts at each business. Throughout the crawl, participants can play trivia on their mobile devices for a chance to win prizes from local vendors. In celebration of Juneteenth, the trivia game will be about black history, black pop culture, music, film, TV, art and science. Test your trivia knowledge and enjoy a full day of fun celebrating the emancipation of African Americans. Tickets start at $45, not including fees,
When: Saturday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton St
Black Miles Matter & GFTC NYC : Presents Juneteenth Solidarity Run/Bike Ride
What: The distance will be about four to five miles. There will be an after party with guest speakers, food, drinks and goodies. Free to attend.
When: Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: 75 South Elliott Place
What: ASHYA, a Black women-owned design label featuring utilitarian, unisex leather travel accessories, will be hosting a celebration. Drinks will be provided by a sponsored mixologist courtesy of Maker's Mark, and a monogramming station will be set up. Attendees can RSVP via ASHYA's website. Guests can round out their evening celebration with a special five-part film series about Black Liberation brought to you by Equator Productions.
Where: ASHYA's Industry City shop, 51 35th St
When: Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Juneteenth Music and Poetry Suite
What: Renowned poet, journalist, and activist Kevin Powell will perform an original poetry suite alongside music composed, arranged, conducted and performed by the Soulfolk Experience, which will take the audience on an American journey through the lens of Juneteenth. Part of a Juneteenth collaboration between Friends of Brower Park and Brooklyn Children's Museum. Click here for more information.
Where: Brower Park, Brooklyn Ave & Prospect Pl (Crown Heights)
When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March for Justice, Solidarity and Love
What: A protest march to show that people of all races and ethnicities can unite to raise up humanity and overthrow white supremacy— together. Find out more here.
Where: Starting at Brooklyn Bridge Park and ending at City Hall in Manhattan.
When: Gathering at 1 p.m. and stepping off to walk at 1:30 p.m.
Domino Park FREEFEST
What: Attendees can enjoy a range of programming, from a live marching band to a voter rights fair all the way to roller skating and opera performances.
Where: Domino Park
When: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Bronx
Bronx Sole: JUNETEENTH RUN & WALK!
What: Run and walk the Bronx streets with small groups.
When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: East 153rd Street & Grand Concourse
Hidden Gems Bike Club's Juneteenth Ride
What: Join the Hidden Gems Bike Club as they explore the “Hidden Gems” in our communities. Bike riding through the Bronx and Westchester for fun, health, and friendship. [Note: Ticket sales have ended, but you can still join the ride by emailing hiddengemsbikeclub@gmail.com or sending a message on Instagram @hiddengemsbikeclub)
When: Saturday from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Where: Van Cortlandt Lake, Bailey Ave. and Van Cortlandt Park South
What: Family-friendly event with performances, yoga, Zumba, face painting, arts and crafts. Complimentary refreshments and snacks.
When: Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Pelham Bay Park, Stadium Avenue
Juneteenth Drag Queen Story Hour with Harmonica Sunbeam
What: Join Harmonica Sunbeam for Drag Queen Story Hour celebrating Juneteenth, as part of Boogie Down Storytime, hosted by Boogie Down Books. Stories and songs for kids of all ages. This program is presented by Drag Queen Story Hour NYC.
When: Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: María Sola Community Greenspace, East 134th Avenue and Lincoln Avenue
Queens
1st Annual Juneteenth Celebration
What: Activities include live DJ, dancers, singers, open mic, luxury car show, video games and more. Vendors will be selling candles, cupcakes, jewelry and more. Tickets are $20, not including fees.
When: Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Saint Albans Park, 169 St. Merrick Blvd.
What: A community event with Black creativity, Black business, Black love, Black wealth, Black networking, Black opportunity, Black excellence and Black joy. Free to attend.
When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Roy Wilkins Park, Merrick Boulevard
What: A multi-part screening of groundbreaking films that honor the Black experience in America, including Julie Dash's Daughters of the Dust, Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, and Channing Godfrey Peoples' Miss Juneteenth. Shorts by local students, which relate to Black history in Queens, will be shared before the screening of Miss Juneteenth. Tickets are $15 for adults, $11 for seniors and students, $9 youth (ages 3–17) and Free for MoMI members.
When:
- Miss Juneteenth screening Saturday at 1 p.m.
- Daughters of the Dust screening Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
- Do the Right Thing screening Saturday at 6 p.m.
Where: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Avenue
Staten Island
What: Over 50 Staten Island-based organizations will come together to celebrate Juneteenth. Programming includes areas focused on health and environment, economy and entrepreneurship, arts performances and art making, children and family, youth and teens, history and community. Come enjoy community, local food and local market vendors. Free to attend.
When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace
Juneteenth at the Staten Island Museum
What: Join historian Debbie-Ann Paige and the Staten Island Museum in a celebration of Juneteenth. Learn about how the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour can bring Staten Island’s Black History right to your fingertips. Take a curator-led tour of Women of the Nation Arise! and learn from the stories of Drusilla Poole and Florence Spearing Randolph about how Black suffragists claimed space in the fight for women’s right to vote.
When: Saturday
Staten Island African American Heritage Tour Introduction at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Exhibition tours at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Where: Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building A
Juneteenth Celebrations at Alice Austen House
What: Outdoor performances by Pamela Sneed, andriniki mattis, OJ in The Yams and Chanese Elifé. With MC Jahtiek Long. Free to attend.
When: Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Blvd. and 777 Front St.
Online
Virtual Village Juneteenth Teach-In
What: Join One Hundred Black Men in partnership with MOWER for a Juneteenth Teach-In. This conference is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future around Juneteenth and the history behind slavery. Speakers include Jamal Joseph, actor, activist, filmmaker, Columbia University professor and co-founder and Artistic Director of IMPACT — a Harlem-based youth theater company; and Michele Jones-Galvin, community service leader, descendant of Harriet Tubman and co-author of "Beyond the Underground: Aunt Harriet, Moses of Her People."
When: Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Online
Live with Carnegie Hall: Juneteenth Celebration
What: The Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr. leads this celebration — along with Tamara Tunie and special guests Wayne Brady, Martin Luther King III and Annette Gordon-Reed — to recognize the importance of this historic day and to acknowledge the long road still ahead. In addition to music, dance and commentary, the evening also recognizes contributions made by prominent African Americans today: Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative; Robert F. Smith, businessman and chairman of Carnegie Hall’s Board of Trustees; and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Patch reporters Anna Quinn, Kayla Levy and Nick Garber contributed to this list.
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