Celebrate With These Juneteenth 2023 Events
On June 19, 1865, Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and told 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. Since Juneteenth falls on a Sunday this year the holiday will be observed on Monday, June 20th. The Nonotuck community is encouraged to take the day to reflect upon and celebrate black lives and African American history. We hope the Nonotuck community will enjoy the below events in celebration of Juneteenth throughout the state over the next few weeks.
Happy Juneteenth!
Nonotuck’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Friday, June 17
Juneteenth Celebration Kick Off - Networking Mixer
Join the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce, Inc. / Haitian American Business Expo, Inc. for a unique networking mixer to celebrate Juneteenth in Dedham, MA.
King Boston's Nubian Square Juneteenth Celebration
King Boston, a nonprofit continuing the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the city, is hosting an Embrace Ideas Festival at area sites, such as Harvard Medical School and the ICA. The talks and live performances seek to inspire participants in “building the new Boston together.”
Juneteenth Rally/March in Roxbury
On Friday, 3pm the Juneteenth Rally/March through Roxbury “showcasing what Black brilliance and Black resilience looks like.” The March will begin at 120 MLK Blvd and end at the Blair Lot in Nubian Square, Roxbury MA. This March is 1.6 miles long and includes Black culture, heritage and brilliance.
Juneteenth at Hale—Special Film Screening
Join writer and director Thato Rantao Mwosa for a special screening and discussion of "Memoirs of a Black Girl" (2021).
Saturday, June 18
Southeast 3rd Annual Juneteenth Festival at Capron Park
Framingham: Join Us In Celebrating Juneteenth!
Join Us In Celebrating Juneteenth At Farm Pond In Framingham! It Will Be A Time Of Education, Enrichment, And Empowerment As We Commemorate A Prominent Moment In American History!
Art on the Plaza: Celebrating Juneteenth! At MassArt
On Saturday June 18 in celebration of Juneteenth, join us as we raise up individuals, like Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman, who took a stand for justice and liberation. Create a kite that honors a changemaker making a difference in the world today then fly your kite high for all to see.
Norwood Juneteenth
Celebrate Norwood’s first annual Juneteenth event! Educate, Celebrate, and enjoy the featured art, performances, and food!
Juneteenth Celebration of Culture Pop Up Shop
Come party at the Quarry Hills in Quincy to celebrate Juneteenth & Fathers Day all in one!
Poetry Reading: Rage Hezekiah at the LAVA Center
The LAVA Center’s Social Justice in the Arts and Media series Black Writers Read hosts Rage Hezekiah at The LAVA Center for their first ever in-person event at noon on Saturday at the LAVA Center, 324 Main St. in Greenfield.
Juneteenth Heritage Walk in Amherst
Explore the rich history and contributions of generations of Black families in the town of Amherst with Ancestral Bridges and the Amherst Historical Society Museum. Curated by descendants, the immersive storytelling walk features special exhibits and artwork to bring the town’s mid-18th century Black neighborhoods and communities to life.
Free to the public, the tour will begin at West Cemetery where soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment and of the 5th Cavalry lay at rest.
Juneteenth Walking Tour in Springfield
On Saturday, the Pan African Historical Museum of Springfield offers a walking tour where guests can interact with the famous and unsung heroes who aided the fight for freedom through the Underground Railroad.
Tours begin at the museum on 1500 Main St. at 3, 4: and 5 p.m. and are free to the public.
Juneteenth Flag Raising in Lowell
Featuring local speakers, and a flag raising commemorating Juneteenth. This event is FREE of charge, and will be held rain or shine.
Juneteenth Carson Beach Day
Free food, fun, music, and more! 165 J Day Blvd. in Dorchester, MA
Juneteenth Community Celebration in Milton
Enjoy live music courtesy of Branches Steel Drum Orchestra and Cornell Coley drum artist and drum circle aficionado. Artists from Quincy For Transformative Change lead family-friendly activities on the beautiful grounds. Pack up some food and bring it along or get a plate of food from Jake's Boss BBQ, a Boston establishment, with a donation.
Juneteenth Joy: Focus on Freedom. A Hyde Park Celebration
Come enjoy performances, exhibits and vendors!
Juneteenth Slam - In-person & Online!
“Evening of Rhythm, Rhymes, and Reparations!,” will celebrate Black futures and raise awareness for Delgado’s vision of “40 Acres and a School,” a Black liberation epicenter in New England.
Juneteenth Franklin Park, Shattuck Picnic Grove
Enjoy picnics, barbecues, music, and dancing at the Shattuck Picnic Grove and all over the park.
Juneteenth Festival 2022 in Fall River
Attend the Juneteenth Festival hosted by Doors of Hope, Opportunity, and Open Diversity!
Sunday, June 19
Brookline Juneteenth Celebration
Please arrive at the Florida Ruffin Ridley school by 9:30am for the freedom March. The celebration will follow at The Brookline Avenue Playground 11am.
Juneteenth Holiday in Boxborough
Brookline for the Culture Celebrates Juneteenth
Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 12:00PM EDT at Florida Ruffin Ridley School and it’s free!
Gloucester Juneteenth Festival
Learn about the Juneteenth Holiday and its connection to Cape Ann history while celebrating Black history through music, dance and food. Visit the special exhibition of Doris Prouty’s quilts on display at the Janet & William Ellery James Center and tour the historic White-Ellery House.
Free Soil Arts Collective’s 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Lowell
Juneteenth Celebration in Lynn
Celebrate Juneteenth with music, food, poetry, dance, education, community and festivity!
Juneteenth & Father's Day Celebration in Lowell
Juneteenth Black in Business Vendor Market in New Bedford
Juneteenth Celebration With Arise for Social Justice
Arise For Social Justice will hold their annual Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Donna Blake Park (formerly Pendleton). Free entertainment, food, community vendors, and more!
Black Vivid: An Outburst and Celebration of Culture
Strong Young Minds, iHeart Radio and Springfield Together will host Black Vivid, an outburst and celebration of culture. The event includes a tribute to Harriet Tubman and Madame CJ Walker, a marching band, fashion show, a step performance, Father’s Day special, African dance, music, food, and more on Sunday at the Riverfront Park at 2 p.m.
Juneteenth Concert: Songs of Abolition
The Deerfield Community Center on 16 Memorial St. will host a Juneteenth concert entitled Songs of Abolition featuring gospel music from a new documentary “Songs of Slavery and Emancipation” on Sunday, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance and masks are required.
Juneteenth Freedom Day: Celebrating Black Joy
Celebrate Juneteenth through the arts at Starlight Square in Cambridge!
Juneteenth Independence Day In Colrain
Juneteenth at Hale—Music, Poetry, and Dance
SHAUN LEONARDO’S YOU WALK… (North Adams, MA) —
Artist Shaun Leonardo, in collaboration with community members, leads a series of interactive activities throughout the day in You walk… , in honor of Juneteenth.
June 20
Juneteenth in Old Sturbridge Village
June 26
Poetry and Pearls, A Jazzy Juneteenth Celebration
An afternoon of live jazz music and performances by local young poets.