Juneteenth 2024 Events: Week 1

Juneteenth 2024 Events: Week 1

“Juneteenth,” commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, that all enslaved people were free, in accordance with President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation issued on January 1, 1863. This day, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and is celebrated with various activities including parades, cultural events, and educational programs to honor African American heritage and promote understanding of the historical significance of this milestone.

Juneteenth is being celebrated throughout Massachusetts, both before and after the official day of celebration (June 19). The below list is not neccesarily complete; please send any events not listed to Joshua Murray (murray@nonotuck.com) for inclusion. 

June 13

2024 Juneteenth Celebration & Panel

Amilcar Cabral Center, John D. O’Bryant African American Institute, 40 Leon Street, Boston, MA 02115 United States

Join Northeastern University for a hybrid panel discussion, Understanding the Reparations Movements, followed by a time of celebration at an outdoor festival in Centennial Common. Panelists include Deborah Jackson, managing director of Northeastern Law’s Center for Law, Equity and Race (CLEAR) and a member of Northeastern University’s reparations research team, and Joseph Feaster ’75, of counsel at Dain, Torpy, Le Ray, Wiest & Garner and chair of the City of Boston reparations task force.

June 14

Juneteenth Flag Raising

Worcester City Hall, 455 Main St, Worcester, MA 01608

Beginning promptly at 5 p.m.

Tell a friend to tell a friend and join us! All are welcome and invited to participate!

Juneteenth Flag Raising

Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852
This is where we will honor Juneteenth through a commemorative flag raising. Typically a 1 hour program at Lowell, Massachusetts City Hall.

June 15

Andover Town-Wide Juneteenth Celebration

Cormier Youth Center, 40 Whittier Ct., Andover

Celebrate strength, resiliency and diversity in our community with ceremony, noted speakers, music, food, fun and games. Presented by the Andover Baptist Church, Andover’s interfaith community and the Town of Andover’s Commission on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Juneteenth on the Town Common

Amherst Town Common

Please join us on the Town Common for some music and relaxation. A Community gathering to help spread kindness and good cheer. Come and meet representatives from several Community Partners who work hard daily to make Amherst vibrant and strong.

Ancestral Bridges hosts – Juneteenth at The Emily Dickinson Museum

280 Main St, Amherst, MA 01002

Hosted by Ancestral Bridges – this is an open house at The Emily Dickinson Museum. Activities for children. Featuring the Amherst Civil War Tablets and different learning stations hosted by the Jones Library and Amherst Recreation Department

Try Before You Buy: Juneteenth Celebration

Brattleboro Food Co-op, 2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301

Do you know what you’re making for Juneteenth? Brattleboro Food Co-op has you covered with an easy, delicious dessert: Ice Cream Sundaes! As is custom for this holiday, we’ll be tasting foods made by Black-owned businesses, along with a little something red to remind us of the blood spilled by Black people in this country. This time, we’ll be having Strafford Creamery Vanilla Ice Cream with Partake Cookies– both delicious treats made by Black-owned businesses– along with a little Crofters Cherry or Raspberry Spread. Let’s take in some tunes, celebrate and remember together. Saturday, June 15th from 11:30-2:30.

A Juneteenth Celebration

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, 650 Dudley Street Boston, MA 02125

To kickoff our 2024 summer season, Landmarks Orchestra, in collaboration with Castle of Our Skins celebrates Juneteenth at the Kroc Center!

Newton  Juneteenth Celebration

90 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands, MA 02461

The Newton Juneteenth Celebration returns to the Hyde Community Center on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from noon to 4:00 pm. This celebration marks the national holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Americans and invites all residents and visitors to come together to celebrate African-American heritage and culture through food, music, dance, and storytelling. This event also supports local Black-owned businesses and showcases the ways our community promotes equity and inclusion for residents and students of color from diverse backgrounds. 

Juneteenth Jubilee Lowell

Muldoon Park, 5 Billerica Street Lowell, MA 01852

This event is open to the general public and we welcome furry friends.

Juneteenth (officially Juneteenth National Independence Day) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.

The name is a combination of the words “June” and “nineteenth”, as it is celebrated on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when some of the last enslaved persons were informed that slavery effectively ended in the United States.

This year we intend to host the Juneteenth Jubilee on Saturday, 15 June 2024 from 12pm to 5/6pm, again at Muldoon Park, 5 Billerica Street, Lowell, MA.

2024 Black Heritage Juneteenth Festival

Institute Park, 100 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01605

Performances, vendors, childrens’ activities, food, culture, and more!

Juneteenth Day Story walk at Osterville Public Library

43 Wianno Ave. Osterville, Massachusetts

A Story about a National Holiday and a young Black child who experiences the magic of this local parade for the first time in Galveston, TX the birthplace of Junteenth.

June 16

Juneteenth at Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters

105 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Gather for Juneteenth to honor those who endured slavery and seized freedom on Brattle Street before the American Revolution, their living descendants, and the long history of Black freedom activism in Cambridge and beyond. This free, all-ages event will feature a community gathering with speeches by living descendants, Juneteenth # Pop-Up Poetry, A Denise Plays Hard Event; music, historical displays, family activities, and refreshments.