Events to celebrate Juneteenth in and around Baltimore
Here’s a list of some of the local events celebrating Juneteenth, a national holiday signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas, stating all enslaved people in the state were free according to federal law.
Tuesday: In Celebration of Juneteenth
Learn all about the holiday at In Celebration of Juneteenth at Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. Historian Bradley Alston will talk about the inception of the national holiday and how it resonates today. There will be a Q&A at the end of the talk. The free event takes place in the Poe Room. calendar.prattlibrary.org
Tuesday 7 p.m.
Wednesday: Freedom’s Voices from Jubilee to Reparations
Through art, song and discussion delve into the holiday at Freedom’s Voices from Jubilee to Reparations at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St., 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be a Freedom Quilt Artist Talk by Dr. Joan M. E. Gaither. The Carter Legacy Singers will perform a jubilee concert. Listen to monologues of fiber artists at Black Woman Genius and join a discussion about reparations with filmmaker John Comer. lewismuseum.org
Wednesday 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: inFusion Film Fest & Arts Exhibition
Loud-N-Clear!!! is the focus of the inFusion Film Fest & Arts Exhibition at The Lyric Baltimore, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., a free daylong event featuring films, videos, and artwork created by Baltimore artists and filmmakers, as well as musical performances, food and more. The festival will feature “pieces that explore topics such as neighborhood stories, myths, history keepers, community resilience in the face of challenges, and the impact of Covid-19 on Baltimore’s social justice movement.”
12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday: Juneteenth Day of Remembrance
The East Baltimore Historical Library will mark Juneteenth with a Day of Remembrance and East Baltimore’s 1st Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Eager Park, 900 N. Wolfe St. The picnic-style community celebration includes face painting, pony rides, snowballs, vendors and more. eastbaltimorehistoricallibrary.org
3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday: Rhythm Liberation Fest: Juneteenth Celebration
Visit the Baltimore Museum of Industry for Rhythm Liberation Fest: Juneteenth Celebration, taking place both inside the museum and along the waterfront campus. Celebrate Baltimore’s music scene and shop a pop-up market curated by BLK ASS FLEA MKT in partnership with Love Groove Entertainment. The program also includes workshops, kids’ activations, live music, vinyl swaps, jam sessions, and more. The event is free with registration in advance. (Regular museum admission is required from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) thebmi.org
3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday: Juneteenth concert in Columbia
Hear African American composers and performers of art songs, spirituals and gospel music at a Juneteenth Concert at St. John Baptist Church, presented by the Howard County Center of African American Culture and the Denyce Graves Foundation. The concert features mezzo-soprano Mia Athey, tenor Aaron Crouch, tenor Kevin Webb Jr., pianist JoyAnne Amani and St. John the Baptist Gospel Singers. A reception offering African American cuisine will follow.
Wednesday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: Juneteenth in Carroll County
Bring the family to the Juneteenth in Carroll County celebration on the campus of Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Road, Westminster, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is an outdoor event so bring a lawn chair and blankets. Food trucks and vendors will be on hand. speakonitactonit.org
Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m
Saturday: Annapolis Juneteenth Parade and Festival
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Annapolis Juneteenth Parade and Festival. From noon to 1 p.m., the parade starts at College Street, and follows West Street to Amos Garrett Boulevard. The festival begins at 1 p.m. at the Bates Athletic Complex, 935 Spa Road Annapolis. Listen to musical performances by Ron Ward Jr., Rapper Lil Syxx, Anita Wilson, and others. Food trucks will take your order. There will be a fireworks display. The event is free. theannapolisjuneteenth.org
Saturday
Saturday and Sunday: AFRAM
Attend the two-day celebration of African-American families and communities at the 47th annual AFRAM at Druid Hill Park, 900 Druid Park Lake Drive. Listen to musical performances by headliners Busta Rhymes, Crystal Waters, October London, Alex Isley, Mya, Big Daddy Kane, Karen Clark-Sheard and Morris Day. Vendors and food trucks will be on hand. aframbaltimore.com
Saturday and Sunday
