Juneteenth's History & Today
- Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture: "The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth"
- Youth-focused video from Kid History
- Vox: "Why all Americans should honor Juneteenth"
- PBS: "What is Juneteenth? 4 things you should know"
- New York Times, The Daily podcast: "The History and Meaning of Juneteenth"
Share the Conversation
- Table Talk: Family Conversations about Current Events (Anti-Defamation League)
- Parents: "What is Juneteenth? How to Explain the History of the Holiday to Kids"
- Teach for America Juneteenth Resources
2024 Events
Chatham YMCA
7th Annual Juneteenth Black Arts Festival
Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Join the Y at CORE (Community Organizing for Racial Equity)'s festival at the Chatham County Fairgrounds.
Downtown Durham YMCA
2nd Annual BLACK OUT Black Business Expo
Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Stop by the Downtown Durham YMCA in support of local black-owned businesses.
Kerr Family YMCA
Black-Owned Business Fair
Wednesday, June 19, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
If you are interested in hosting a table, please email Randi.Gressel@YMCATriangle.org.
Southeast Raleigh YMCA
Juneteenth Community Celebration
Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Join the Y and community partners for a day of celebration including music, fitness classes, a health fair, vendor market, food trucks, games and more. Free and open to the public!
Interested in being a vendor? Email Erica.Porter@YMCATriangle.org
Northwest Cary YMCA
Juneteenth Celebration
Wednesday, June 19, 5:30 - 7 p.m. The event time has been changed to 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Come celebrate and recognize Juneteenth in the courtyard, with music, outdoor yard games, local black vendors and a food truck. Swag will be distributed while supplies last.
Father Pius will do a devotion to kick off the celebration, followed with a keynote speaker sharing the importance of Juneteeth. Free swag, music, Ama’Gees Jamaican Cuisine, fairy hair, face painting, cornhole, Crossnet four square and fellowship.
Taylor Family YMCA
Celebrating Juneteenth
Wednesday, June 19, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Juneteenth at the pool with food trucks and popsicles. We will have Juneteenth themed trivia and bingo and live music performed by volunteers!
Volunteer your musical talent for the Y on Juneteenth! We are looking for musicians ages 8 and up to play for our Juneteenth Celebration. Musicians will choose one piece of music by an African American composer to perform. Musicians will briefly explain the significance of the piece and artist, and why they chose it. The Y has an electric piano available for use. Sign up for a time to play between 5:30 and 7 p.m.
Local Events
Capital City Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 15
Gather your friends, families, lawn chairs and blankets for an afternoon of joyous festivities this community celebration promises an unforgettable experience for all at this year's Capital City Juneteenth Celebration.
Town of Cary
Saturday, June 15
Join us at the Park for a jubilant Juneteenth Celebration curated by Historian Darrell Stover.
Chapel Hill - Carrboro
Sunday, June 16
A coalition of local organizations invites you to be a part of Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration at Hargraves Community Center! Celebrate Black community and culture with live performances, Black-owned small business and non-profit expos, kids activities, food trucks, and more.
Apex
Saturday, June 15
This event, at The Depot (220 N. Salem Street) will celebrate this important day of African American history, promoting equity, respect, and understanding between people of all backgrounds and cultures. This year will be our third Juneteenth festival! There will be food trucks, performances and games for the whole family to enjoy!
Wake Forest
Friday-Saturday, June 14-15
Free and open to the public, this year's Juneteenth Celebration will begin a Community Gathering and continue with a Freedom Walk that begins and ends at The Dubois Center, 518 N. Franklin St. Immediately following the Freedom Walk there will be food, activities, music, and more!
Town of Clayton
Saturday, June 15
Join The Clayton Center as they present an unforgettable Juneteenth performance, "Soul of Langston."
Chatham County (Pittsboro, NC)
Monday, June 17
In recognition of Juneteenth, Chatham Community Library will host, internationally known, multiple award winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author Donna Washington as she presents, "Tricksters, Triumphs and Traditions: Stories For Juneteenth". This program is free and open to the public.
North Carolina Art Museum (Raleigh, NC)
Saturday, June 14
This concert features 19-time Grammy-winning gospel music icon Kirk Franklin and his special guest, Stellar Award–winning songstress Maurette Brown Clark.
*This is by no means an exhaustive list of local Juneteenth events. See additional Triangle-area opportunities here.