Celebrate With These Juneteenth 2023 Events
“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?”- Frederick Douglass
On June 19, 1865, Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and informed the enslaved population of their emancipation. That day – more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation – would become the oldest annual celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S., known as “Juneteenth.”
Nonotuck Resource Associates has been celebrating Juneteenth as a paid staff holiday since 2020. The Nonotuck community is encouraged to take the day to reflect upon and celebrate black lives and African-American history. We hope everyone will enjoy the below events in celebration of Juneteenth throughout the state over the next few weeks.
Happy Juneteenth!
Nonotuck’s Diversity, Equity,Inclusion and Belonging Committee
June 15
ADDP JUNETEENTH EVENT: REMEMBRANCE, CELEBRATION & RESPECT
Remembrance, Celebration, and Respect is a free event, and ADDP encourages participation from member agency staff, as well as individuals supported in day and residential programs.
June 16
Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony
All are welcome to join the Black Heritage Committee in a brief ceremony and the raising of the Juneteenth Flag at City Hall in downtown Worcester. The program will be starting promptly at 5 pm and may conclude around 5:30 pm.
Juneteenth Jubilee Flag Raising (Springfield)
Come join us as we kick off our Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration with the raising of the Juneteenth flag in Mason Square on State Street.
Juneteenth Celebration of Black Poetry
Come celebrate Juneteenth with us as we kick off our Summer Series highlighting the work of black poets in the greater Boston area. Our celebration will include a variety of performances curated by Boston-based singer, songwriter, and event producer Eleazer (Elae) Weekes. Elae has worked with artists and producers from Boston to Los Angeles and internationally, including Tay Winters, DGil, Gregory Weekes, Matt Diamond, and Young G26. His own creative work emphasizes deep emotion and vivid poetry.
Multicultural Arts Center 41 Second Street Cambridge, MA 02141
Embrace Boston's Juneteenth Block Party at Roxbury Community College
Embrace Ideas Juneteenth Block Party @ Roxbury Community College, 1234 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02120
We will cap off the multi-day festival and kick off the Juneteenth weekend within the heart of Boston at Roxbury Community College with the most cherished of urban traditions- a block party.
The Embrace Ideas Block Party will celebrate artistic expression through a lively party that will include some of the city's best turntablists.This celebration will be a joyful night of dancing, music, community, and delicious food provided by the area's best BIPOC-owned food trucks will transform RCC into the hottest party in town.
June 17
The Berkshire Black Economic Council (BBEC) invites you to celebrate Juneteenth weekend with a special homecoming performance by soul-pop star Raiche. MASS MoCA 1040 MASS MoCA Way North Adams, MA 01247
Kelly Park 33-99 Saucier St, Fall River, MA
2023 Black Heritage Juneteenth Festival
Worcester's annual commemoration of Juneteenth! Institute Park
100 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA
Get ready for a day of bold and vibrant performances at the BLACK VIVID FESTIVAL happening on June 17, 2023. Riverfront Park Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway Springfield, MA 01103
Come out and celebrate with us! 100 Dudley Road Framingham, MA 01702
2023 Juneteenth Joy Celebration
We are thrilled to announce Hyde Park's second annual community-wide Juneteenth Celebration planned for Saturday June 17, 2023 at 10:00am –This event will feature a 65-minute ceremonial celebration launched with a Color Guard by the 54 Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company A and the Black National Anthem.
The Ceremony will continue with honoring the “Living History makers of Hyde Park” and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Builders, with an exhibit and brief ceremonial salute. Following this, there will be performances, awards, group arts, dance activities, a local Black vendor fair, educational exhibits, activities for children and tastings from local eateries. We have invited State and City officials and national speakers. Games and prizes will be a part of the 4.5-hour celebration. It will truly be JOY-filled!
Francis D. Martini Memorial Shell Park and Moynihan Recreation Area 1015 Truman Parkway Boston, MA 02136
Join us in the celebration of Freedom. Celebrate the history, experience the culture, create a legacy. Capron Park 201 County Street Attleboro, MA 02703
Juneteenth at the West Medford Community Center — Mystic River Watershed Association
Our Juneteenth event will take place on Saturday, June 17th, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. here at 111 Arlington Street in Medford, MA. Won't you consider joining us? We will be outdoors this year, utilizing our patio and backyard area to stage a number of live performances and cultural sharing.
Hyde Park’s Juneteenth Celebration
Join us for performances, vendors, awards, living histories exhibit, activities for youth and adults, yoga, zumba, giveaways, and more!
2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Join the African American Association for their second annual Juneteenth Celebration. There will be Vendors, Performers, and much more. This event will be held 11:00am-6:00pm 440 Belmont St. Brockton, MA United States
Juneteenth Celebration at Franklin Park
Juneteenth at Franklin Park is a Roxbury Homecoming and a celebration of when the last slaves were freed. Enjoy picnics, barbecues, music, and dancing at the Shattuck Picnic Grove and all over the park. Franklin Park, Shattuck Picnic Grove Boston, MA
6th Annual Malden Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
Come celebrate African-American freedom and culture with us! We will have a Juneteenth flag raising and performances by singers, dancers, drummers, poets, and other artists. Come to check out and support local Malden vendors and enjoy delicious cuisine also catered by local black-owned restaurants. Bring your friends, your friend's friends, your cousins, your mama, and everybody! Also bring your beach chairs and blankets, because it will be an outdoor party. Come nourish your soul at this free family event with plenty of activities for the kids to engage in.
Lowell’s Juneteenth Flag Raising
You are welcome to attend the Lowell Juneteenth Flag raising! Come out and support our Flag Raising in commemoration of Juneteenth/Jubilee Day. Lowell City Hall 375 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852
1st Annual Juneteenth Block Party Celebration
Join us for a day of family-friendly fun featuring music, food, activities, and more! Various games will be available for everyone to enjoy, from simple to challenging ones. For those who prefer a relaxed approach, there will be multiple “break-time” areas where guests can bring their chairs and blankets to enjoy the music.
Come on out and join the party! 464 Crescent St. Brockton, MA United States
Juneteenth Celebration at Fitchburg Abolitionist Park
Come Celebrate Juneteenth at Fitchburg Abolitionist Park This Year!
The event will include:
– Live music, headlined by renowned activist and musician Taina Asili (and dancing, if you’d like!)
– An ice cream and food truck
– An opportunity to visit Fitchburg Abolitionist Park, learn about Fitchburg’s connection to the Abolitionist Movement, and celebrate how far we have come in developing Abolitionist Park, over the past six years!
42-50 Snow St
Fitchburg, MA 01420 United States
Juneteenth Celebration and Unveiling of the Rochester Little Free Diverse Library
Jun 17, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Joseph H. Plumb Library, 17 Constitution Way, Rochester, MA 02770, USA
Join TTAR for a Juneteenth Celebration and unveiling of our newest Little Free Diverse Library at the Plumb Library in Rochester!
Celebrations will include a talk by Leon Correy III, Fairhaven Select Board member: Leon E Correy III is Chair of the Fairhaven Select Board and founder of the Fairhaven Belonging Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. When elected to the Board in 2022, he became the first African American appointed to the highest office in the town, and only the second person of color to be voted into any office in the town. Leon served as the 2008 St. Louis field organizer for the Obama Campaign for Change. Within the Obama Campaign for Change, he quickly climbed the ranks from volunteer to Field Organizer due to his efficacy in driving change, resilience, fearlessness, and ability to communicate with diverse constituents focused on a common goal. He has given a voice to the masses at every level, having been elected to leadership positions in his academic, professional, and political life. As a tenured software sales executive, he has closed deals resulting in over $100M in revenue for companies such as his current employer, Context Labs, Google, and IBM. His current focus is software for decarbonization, emissions reduction, and carbon neutrality. He is a graduate of Boston College with a Bachelors in mathematics. Leon attended business school at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He enjoys spending his spare time with his wife, Jennifer, and his two children.
June 18
A celebration of Black Music Appreciation month with Wanda Houston, Tendei Muparutsa, Misty Blues, Chantell McFarland, and The Diego Mongue Band.
At Church Street Center on the campus of MCLA.
Juneteenth Celebration Pittsfield
The NAACP Berkshire County Branch invites you to join them for this free, family-friendly event and celebrate Juneteenth with a Freedom Walk and fun community gathering at Durant Park in Pittsfield!
The day will be full of live entertainment and music with DJ Young Champ, and will feature a photo booth, local Black businesses and food, art projects, family-friendly activities, and community partners tabling.
Celebrating Juneteenth with Amherst Cinema: Free Film & Community Discussion
Fences, dir. Denzel Washington. Following the screening, join Amherst Cinema at 6:30pm for “The Journey, Joy & Love of Black Fatherhood”, a panel featuring fathers from our local community.
Juneteenth is a significant part of our nation’s history, and we believe it is important to recognize and celebrate it in a meaningful way. Florida Ruffin Ridley School 345 Harvard Street Brookline, MA 02446
Juneteenth & Father's Day Celebration in Lowell
Come celebrate Jubilee Day (aka Juneteenth) and Fathers Day with us! FREE of charge, FREE food and open to all. Muldoon Park 5 Billerica Street Lowell, MA 01852
Gloucester Juneteenth Celebration
The third Gloucester Juneteenth Celebration is presented by the North Shore Juneteenth Association and CAM’s Community Engagement Committee Member, Toni Waldron, who hosted the first Gloucester Juneteenth Celebration in 2021. Learn about the Juneteenth Holiday and its connection to Cape Ann history while celebrating Black history through music, dance and food.
June 19
Historic Deerfield, Juneteenth
Bringing the Story of Freedom to Life: Tammy Denease’s One-Woman Performance as Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman
Join us as we commemorate Juneteenth with a special performance by Tammy Denease of Hidden Women Stage Company.
An accomplished performing artist, storyteller, actor, and playwright, Tammy Denease specializes in bringing to life the lives of very important, yet “hidden” women in history. Denease will offer her one-woman theatrical performance as Elizabeth Freeman, the first enslaved African American to file and win a freedom suit in Massachusetts. At the end of the performance, there will be ample time for conversation with the artist. 84B Old Main Street
Deerfield, MA 01342
91 Cowls Rd., Amherst, MA, United States
The Town of Amherst celebrates the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Jubilee on the Town Common: Our Voices. Our History. Our Vision. Our Stories.
Local Food & Craft Vendors, Self-guided Tour: Amherst and the Black Community.
Jubilee on the Common Schedule
12:00 PM Opening Ceremony Amherst Area Gospel Choir
1:00 PM Performance by Tap Roots
2:30 PM Aimee Salmon
3:45 PM Performance by ReBelle
5:00 PM Performance by Tem Blessed featuring Nadia
Juneteenth Jamboree at Mill River Recreation Area (Amherst, MA)
BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF AMHERST AREA & SANKOFA GUMBO INC PRESENT JUNETEENTH JAMBOREE Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date on which enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally received the news they were free. FOOD - MUSIC - ART & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT COME JOIN US FOR THIS FREE COMMUNITY EVENT MONDAY • JUNE 19TH 4PM TO SUNDOWN MILL RIVER RECREATION AREA 95 MONTAGUE RD AMHERST, MA
Juneteenth Concert: Celebrating Freedom
This Juneteenth, Conductor Kevin Scott will lead the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in a concert featuring a collection of classical and spiritual music. With powerful themes of freedom, hope, and unity, we hope you will join us for an afternoon of celebration, inspiration, and pure musical joy!
featuring Springfield Symphony Chorus, Extended Family Choir, Avery Sharpe Quartet
34 Court Street
Springfield, MA 01103
CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH: A Day of Freedom
Join us at Wistariahurst Museum on June 19th, 2023, from 1-5pm for an unforgettable day of celebration! It’s time to commemorate freedom and embrace our country’s second independence day in the most joyful way possible! Experience lawn games, incredible music, delicious treats from local Black vendors, stunning face painting, and hands-on art projects. Capture your story through oral history activities and be part of history. Let’s celebrate the vibrant tapestry of Black history, life, and culture that has shaped Holyoke.
Admission to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston is free on Monday, June 19 for all Massachusetts residents in celebration of Juneteenth. Tickets, provided in partnership with Citizens, will be available on a first come, first served basis. Visitors can check out the newly opened exhibit “Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina,” celebrating the pottery made by enslaved people in Old Edgefield in the 1800s. The day will also include art-making activities, a Spotlight Talk, and performances.
2nd Annual Juneteenth celebration
Celebrate Juneteenth at Beacon Field in Greenfield MA! Includes Taste of Greenfield and a Youth Parade.
Juneteenth Emancipation Observation
Join us for an afternoon of speakers, music, food vendors and Juneteenth activities for all ages.
Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, 300 Walnut Ave
Boston, MA 02119
Celebrate Juneteenth together in joyous community with a parade beginning at City Hall and ending at Riverside Press Park. Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139
June 24
Third Annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Reading town hall, Reading Public Library, and the Office of Equity and Social Justice invites everyone to a community celebration of freedom-with music, food, dance, beer, and art! This is a family-friendly event. Entry is free for all ages.
