Juneteenth Jubilee | Raleigh | June 10—19

The City of Raleigh presents this 10-day celebration at John Chavis Memorial Park, featuring free events commemorating African American culture through history, entertainment, and more. Monday kicks off the jubilee’s “Fun Fitness in the Park” program fitness sessions. 

Credit: Courtesy of the City of Raleigh

Storytime at Oak View | Raleigh | June 13, 11 a.m.—Noon

Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space will host a reading of Alice Faye’s children’s book Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth at the Historic Oak View County Park. Tour the 1870s tenant house and create your own Juneteenth flag craft. Register here.

Lecture on Peter Oliver | Raleigh | June 13, Noon—1:30 p.m.

Learn about the freedom story of Peter Oliver, a formerly enslaved man from Virginia, and plans for the new public space celebrating his life and legacy at the Archives & History Building Auditorium. George C. Jones, an eighth-generation descendant of Oliver, will speak at the event. 

Credit: Courtesy of the City of Raleigh

Screening of George H. White Documentary | Raleigh | June 13, 7:30—9 p.m.

Head to the North Carolina Museum of History for a free screening of PBS North Carolina’s documentary on George H. White, one of the most important African American leaders of the Reconstruction era. Following the screening, author Stedman Graham will give a talk on the impact of White’s life followed by a Q&A session with Graham and other speakers.

2024 Juneteenth Celebration | Hillsborough | June 14, 10 a.m.—9 p.m.

Orange County kicks off its Juneteenth festivities with this event at various locations. This year’s theme aims to explore connections to land, body, and spirit through activities that encourage reflection, empowerment, and community building. 

Juneteenth Joy: A Celebration of Freedom and Gospel Music | Raleigh | June 14, 7:30 p.m. 

The North Carolina Museum of Art will celebrate its third-annual concert at the Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Amphitheater in the Museum Park with performances by Grammy-winning gospel music Kirk Franklin and gospel artist Maurette Brown Clark. Purchase tickets here.

Juneteenth Celebration at the Pines | Raleigh | June 14, 8—10 p.m.

Adults ages 18 and older can celebrate Juneteenth at Carolina Pines Park. The event will include musical performances and sing-alongs, as well as an educational piece on the holiday’s history and its current representation in the local community. 

Wake Forest’s Juneteenth Celebration | Wake Forest | June 14 and 15

This free two-day event will span multiple locations and feature a community gathering with giveaways, a walking parade, a presentation about renowned sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois, and more. Schedule here.

Juneteenth for the Souls of Black Folks – Meditation and Yoga Session | Durham | June 15, 10—11 a.m. 

Unwind and practice wellness at North Carolina Central University School of Law. Tickets available here. 

Rolesville’s Freedom in the Park Celebration | Wake Forest | June 15, 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Celebrate Juneteenth at Mill Bridge Nature Park with live performances, family activities, educational information, food, and local vendors. 

Juneteenth at Mordecai| Raleigh | June 15, 10 a.m.—4 p.m. 

In honor of the holiday, head to Mordecai Historic Park in Raleigh and enjoy historic games and crafts and workshops on oral history and African American genealogy. 

Credit: Courtesy of the City of Raleigh

Garner’s Freedom Celebration Juneteenth Program | Garner | June 15, 11 a.m.

The Garner Performing Arts Center will house choirs, speakers, educators, and others. This year’s observance centers around the theme of education as freedom. 

Credit: Courtesy of the Town of Garner

Juneteenth Black Arts Festival | Pittsboro | June 15, 11 a.m.—4 p.m.

The seventh-annual event will be held at the Chatham County Fairgrounds with music, performances, visual arts, and more. Reserve tickets here. 

Capital City Juneteenth Celebration | Raleigh | June 15, Noon—6 p.m.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets over to Harvey Hill at Dorothea Dix Park for this free event. The afternoon will include musical performances, food vendors, a children’s activity zone, and other family-friendly activities. 

Cary’s Juneteenth Celebration | Cary | June 15, 1—7 p.m.

Historian Darrell Stover organized this free event at Downtown Cary Park with live music, food trucks, and vendors on site. 

Credit: Courtesy of the Town of Cary

North Carolina Juneteenth Celebration | Durham | June 15, 1—8 p.m.

Spectacular Magazine and the Triangle Cultural Awareness Foundation present this annual event at North Carolina Central University with live music, a fashion show, vendors, and more.

The Joy of House Music and Screening of The Color Purple (2023) | Raleigh | June 15, 5—8 p.m.

The North Carolina Museum of Art will host an evening of live house music followed by a screening of The Color Purple at the Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Theater in Museum Park. Ticket details here. 

Credit: Courtesy of NCMA

Bragtown Juneteenth Celebration | Durham | June 15, 2—6 p.m.

Bragtown Community Association presents this event with Merrick-Moore Community Development Corpotation at Lakeview Park with African drumming, food trucks, a history panel, and more. 

Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s Juneteenth Celebration | Chapel Hill | June 16, 2 p.m.

This free event takes place at the Hargraves Community Center and includes several activities celebrating Black community and culture, such as a Transcribe-A-Thon, where you can transcribe hundreds of recorded interviews from current and former residents of historically Black neighborhoods in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, a collaborative chalk mural, and a kid’s zone.

Credit: Courtesy of the Town of Chapel Hill

Black Vegan Street Market Juneteenth Celebration | Durham | June 16, 3—8 p.m.

Shop for environmentally-friendly goods, eat plant-based food, enjoy live performances, and more at Durham Central Park.

Tricksters, Triumphs and Traditions: Stories for Juneteenth | Pittsboro | June 17, 2-4 p.m.

Donna Washington, a Durham-based author and performer, will bring stories from African American and African traditions to life, such as the African trickster Anansi, at this family-friendly event at Chatham County Public Library.

Credit: Courtesy of Chatham County

Synthesize: A Juneteenth Celebration of Creativity, Technology & Community | Durham | June 18, 5:30-8 p.m.

Artistry, technology, and Black culture intertwine at this expert-led panel at American Underground. Experience the launch of Synthesize—a new app that can transform local murals into original works of art or poetry—and test it out on American Underground’s rooftop on the colorful mural by Candy Carver. Registration is required. 

Seeds of Freedom: Juneteenth at Oak View | Raleigh | June 19, 10:30 a.m.

Participate in a walking tour on the history of Juneteenth and how Oak View’s enslaved community experienced the transition from slavery to freedom at Historic Oak View County Park. Following the tour, you can fold your own wildflower seed packet, illustrative of the steps African American families took to plant seeds of freedom. Registration is required, and the event takes place again on June 22 and 23. 

West End/Lyon Park Juneteenth Celebration | Durham | June 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The West End Neighborhood presents its second annual event at Carroll Street Park, which includes activities for all ages, vendors, giveaways, gospel singing, and live entertainment. 

Honoring Juneteenth in Our Courts, Durham | June 19 | Noon—4:30 p.m.

The North Carolina Association of Public Defenders and the NCCU School of Law Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute host this educational event at the NCCU Student Center. There will be a showing of the film “Racist Roots: Origins of North Carolina’s Death Penalty” and discussions with guest panelists. 

Juneteenth Jamboree | Durham | June 19, 7 p.m.

Jam out to performances by three artists of color at Sarah P. Duke Gardens as they sing the music of freedom movements and honor influential Black musicians. Registration required for this free event. 

Juneteenth at the Nasher | Durham | June 20, 6—9 p.m.

Commemorate the holiday with this celebration at the Nasher Museum of Art. The evening will include performances by spoken word artists, a poetry writing workshop, interactive art experiences, and more. 

Juneteenth: In Song and Word | Raleigh | June 21, 6:30—9 p.m.

Come Hear NC and the African American Heritage Commission will present this free event at the North Carolina Museum of History. The night will feature music performances by artists such as Grammy-nominated Pierce Freelon and poetry readings by Destiny Hemphill and Fred L. Joiner. Registration required. 

Juneteenth at Stagville Open House | Durham | June 22, 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Visit Historic Stagville, a state historic site home to one of North Carolina’s largest plantations, and learn local history about slavery and freedom. You can view original slave quarters at Horton Grove in remembrance of those who were enslaved. 

North Durham Farmers Market Juneteenth Celebration | Durham | June 22, Noon—4 p.m

Join the market in an afternoon honoring the holiday at Soul Sanctuary. The event will include live music, vendors, and food trucks. (Not sure if it would be better to link to the Instagram post)

Legends Gala | Raleigh | June 22, 7—11 p.m.

Get dressed up and celebrate Juneteenth at Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh with live music, food, and riveting performances. Buy tickets here.

Fruit of Labor 25th Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration | Raleigh | June 22, 4—8 p.m.

Head to the Fruit of Labor World Cultural Center for live music, a cookout and fish fry, dance, poetry, a speakout, games with prizes, and more. RSVP here.

M.A.N.iFEST Juneteenth Celebration | Fuquay-Varina | June 23, 2—9 p.m.

Learn about the impact of the performing arts within the African American community and their profound influence in STEM at the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center. Purchase tickets here.

Editor’s note: The date for the Juneteenth at Stagville Open House has been corrected.

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