Celebrate Juneteenth in Atlanta: 10 can’t-miss events
Juneteenth National Independence Day marks the official end of slavery in the United States. The actual date of this federal holiday is June 19, but Atlanta will offer lots of celebratory events in the days surrounding it. Here are a few ways to help your community observe a deeply important and often emotional occasion.
Soul Session: A Juneteenth Popup
Browse curated goods while you enjoy great live music and delicious food and drink. This is an opportunity to sip and socialize while you shop a unique selection of items!
Location: Atlantucky Brewing; Website: eventbrite.com; Date: June 8; Times: noon to 5 p.m.; Admission: Free with RSVP
Closer Look Live: Juneteenth Special
A special live taping of one of WABE’s signature programs will take place at the Atlanta History Center. Dr. Catherine Meeks, executive director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, will join the event for a live-only talk after the show. A light reception with legendary “Closer Look” host Rose Scott will follow.
Location: Atlanta History Center; Website: wabe.org; Date: June 13; Times: 1-3:30 p.m.; Admission: Free with reservation
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom
The NAACP Chapter of Cherokee County presents the third annual event in celebration of Juneteenth. Catch a car show, live entertainment, food trucks, music and dance, a health booth, a kids corner and more! And visit with community entrepreneurs who will be set up as vendors.
Location: The Mill on Etowah; Website: cherokeecountyganaacp.org; Dates: June 15; Time: 2-8 p.m.; Admission: Free
Concert on the Green: A Juneteenth Celebration
Head on up to Acworth with your folding chair and blanket to join this celebration of freedom, which will feature great food for purchase and live music for listening. Bogey and the Viceroy will kick off the music at 7 p.m.
Location: Logan Farm Park; Website: acworthtourism.org; Date: June 15; Times: 5-10 p.m.; Admission: Free
Jubilee: A Juneteenth Celebration
Take in a quilt mural, join a scavenger hunt or trivia round, or make a Juneteenth flag - all at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. It’s a unique way to observe history and hope for the future. The Center will present a varied slate of activities over three days through music and interactive programming alongside history and cultural presentations.
Location: National Center for Civil and Human Rights; Website: civilandhumanrights.org; Dates: June 15,16 and 19; Times: Sunday and Tuesday - noon to 5 p.m., Saturday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: $15.99-$64
Juneteenth Jubilee Block Party
Come on out for a community celebration that will include a Black business marketplace, games, cultural performances and great food!
Location: The Ke’nekt Cooperative; Website: facebook.com; Date: June 16; Times: 5-9 p.m.; Admission: Free with RSVP
Juneteenth Rodeo and Ag Expo
Start the day learning about urban farming through exhibits and demos. Stay for a live rodeo designed to display the legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls. Shop for crafts and locally sourced items, learn to line dance and listen to live music - it’s going to be a full day of ag-centered activities!
Location: Marietta - Jim R Miller Park; Website: wildwestincolor.com; Date: June 19; Times: noon to 5 p.m.; Admission: lap child - free, child - $15, adult - $20, VIP - $25, group (10 or more) - $15 per ticket
Juneteenth Celebration - City Green at Sandy Springs
Live music, food trucks, art, vendors, an African dance workshop, a drum circle and a genealogy research exhibit: Sandy Springs is pulling out all the stops for what promises to be a memorable Juneteenth celebration on its city green.
Location: City Green at Sandy Springs; Website: sandyspringsga.gov; Date: June 19; Times: 5-8 p.m.; Admission: Free
OneRace Juneteenth Celebration
Worship and prayer will mark this gathering at Trinity Anglican Church. Organized by OneRace, a local initiative focused on healing racial injustice through spiritual movement, it’s a time to come together and reflect, in a church setting, on the end of slavery in the United States.
Location: Trinity Anglican Church; Website: atltrinity.org; Date: June 19; Times: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Admission: Free
Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival
For the 12th year, this local Juneteenth festival will commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. Catch live music, a Black history parade and pageants alongside fun family activities like fishing ponds, a 5K run, a car show, tennis tournaments, basketball tournaments, and more!
Location: Piedmont Park; Website: juneteenthatl.com; Dates: June 21-23; Times: Friday - noon to 10 p.m., Saturday - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Admission: Free
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