Celebrating Juneteenth across New York with music, entertainment, exhibits and family festivities

According to history, more than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day.

But despite this important historic event took place since June 19, 1865, it only became a recognized federal holiday in 2021. Today, as the understanding of Juneteenth day get bigger, so does the number of presentations that will run throughout the month of June.

Celebrants will enjoy music at Roy Wilkins Park, Merrick Boulevard, St. Albans, Queens on June 12–19,

On the celebratory day, June 19, several Queens communities will come together to host an educational programming series, high-school essay contest and festival. Local vendors, and community members offer shopping activities for children, workshops, and food.

Juneteenth UNIFEST 2023 a BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn concert co-presented by Robert Randolph Foundation featuring Seven-time Grammy nominee Joe with an opening performance by Mint Condition front man Stokley, will take over the Lena Horne Bandshell on Saturday June 17, from 7:00 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

Black Creatives & Culture Market – Juneteenth Edition will be held at City Point, 445 Albee Square West, Downtown Brooklyn, on June 16-18.

This market features over 50 BIPOC brands and a full weekend of programming, including an open mic night, a game night, a wine tasting, various panels, and a performance from Brooklyn United, a youth community arts project. It’s all curated by Da Spot NYC.

https://www.blackcreativesandculture.com

A Juneteenth Food Festival will be held at Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Ave., Crown Heights, Brooklyn, on June 17–18.

Some 30 Black-owned food businesses will feature an array of dishes and drinks at this weekend event, put on by Black-Owned Brooklyn and Weeksville Heritage Center.

Attendees will enjoy DJ sets and shop at a market full of Black-owned brands, while having an opportunity to sample barbecue, red beans and rice and other fare, at the event from Noon – 7:00 pm

https://www.weeksvillesociety.org/event/juneteenth-food-festival-2/

An intimate concert with renowned songwriter and storyteller Queen Esther will delve into selections from her alt-country, jazz, and Black Americana–inspired oeuvre that highlight the triumph of the Black spirit at the Soul of the City: Juneteenth with Queen Esther.

The presentation will be held on June 17, at Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., East Harlem, Manhattan
on June 17.

https://www.mcny.org/event/soul-city-juneteenth-queen-esther

The Staten Island Museum,1000 Richmond Terrace, Snug Harbor, Staten Island will on June 17, welcome celebrants to a presentation titled: Using Genealogy to Uncover Our African American Past.

This free event hosted by historian and genealogist Debbie-Ann Paige teaches participants how to navigate historical documents such as letters, deeds, and census records to find their ancestors. Paige will also demonstrate the use of various research tools to uncover family history, so participants are empowered to continue the search after class.

https://www.statenislandmuseum.org/event/juneteenth23/

A Juneteenth Freedom Festival will also be held, June17-18, at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden at South Meadow, 100 Richmond Terrace, Randall Manor, Staten Island, and Tappen Park and Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island.

Three separate celebrations over two days will mark Juneteenth on Staten Island. first takes place at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden’s South Meadow and includes a drum circle, DJ and musical performances, candle-lighting memorial, and a fashion show and vendor marketplace. Separately, there will also be a parade and two festivals that combine live music and performances, wellness and literacy workshops, shopping and food vendors and a historical reenactment of the proclamation that freed enslaved Black people by the Freedom Players. Day one takes place at Tappen Park; day two is in Historic Richmond Town.

Brooklyn’s Prospect Park will feature four separate presentations over three days. A family friendly exploration of the African diaspora at Lefferts Historic house. This will be followed by Grammy-nominated R&B singer Joe featuring the Juneteenth Unifest.

A Juneteenth + One Love Little Caribbean Day at Lefferts Historic House, featuring DJ sets and games, and One Juneteenth school holiday, several youth education programs centered on flora and fauna will be offered at the Audubon Center, to engage the community.

https://www.prospectpark.org/event/rise-in-spirit-a-juneteenth-celebration/

Tropical Fete youth organization will host a Juneteenth Authors event featuring Kamla Karina Millwood, who will conduct an interview with Colette Stapleton-Brown, at the New York Public Library the Bronx, on June 17. The session will begin at 2:00pm.

An interview with Councilmember Farah Louis will follow on June 19, at noon, at the New York Public library, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn.

Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth will be held at Duffy Square, Seventh Avenue & West 47th Street, Manhattan, on June 18. Showtime is 11:00 a.m.

The free outdoor event in the middle of Times Square will feature the Broadway League’s Black to Broadway initiative that has amassed incredible talent to showcase their gifts through song, dance and spoken. Several Black Broadway performers will be doing favorite numbers from beloved shows.

https://diversity.broadway/black-to-broadway/broadway-celebrates-juneteenth/