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How to commemorate Juneteenth in every borough of New York City
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Jun 19, 2026
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By
Catalina Gonella
Published Jun 19, 2026
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Throughout New York City Friday, institutions and organizations are commemorating Juneteenth with events and programming that honor, celebrate and teach Black American history and culture.
It’s been five years since then-President Joe Biden designated June 19 as a federal holiday, following nationwide protests against the police killing of George Floyd.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when more than 250,000 Black Americans in Galveston, Texas learned that they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. And it’s more broadly a celebration of the eventual end of slavery in the United States.
Below are some of the events and activities you may want to attend to honor Juneteenth:
Manhattan
Studio Museum in Harlem Juneteenth Community Day
- When: Friday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Where: Studio Museum, 144 West 125th St.
- What: The museum invites attendees to commemorate the federal holiday with “reflection, celebration and a call to action.” The day includes healing movement, a sound bath, a flag-decorating workshop, talks with gallery curators and panel discussions.
Seneca Village Juneteenth Celebration
- When: June 19, 1 p.m.
- Where: West side of Central Park, between 82nd and 89th streets.
- What: The Central Park Conservancy is hosting an event commemorating the history of Seneca Village, a 19th century settlement of mostly Black American homeowners that was destroyed in 1857. The program includes special music, dance and spoken word performances, according to the CPC’s website.
Brooklyn
5th Annual Juneteenth Food Festival
- When: June 19, noon to 8 p.m.
- Where: 158 Buffalo Ave., Brooklyn
- What: This event, hosted by Weeksville Heritage Center and Black-Owned Brooklyn, will bring together 31 Black food vendors in a historic neighborhood in Central Brooklyn, including Miss Holly’s Smokehouse, Rogers Burgers and GG’s Fish & Chips. There will also be DJ sets, and performances by dance and drumming groups.
“I am Somebody” in Brower Park
- When: June 19, 11 to 3 p.m.
- Where: Shirley Chisholm Circle in Brower Park, Brooklyn
- What: Hosted by the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, this family-focused event will feature performances by the Brooklyn United Marching Band and Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, as well as storytelling by the Brooklyn Public Library.
- When: June 18-20
- Where: Linden Park in Brooklyn
- What: The theme of this year’s event is “Rooted in Strength” and it starts on Thursday June 18 with a Black Kings Gala, which will honor influential male New York leaders. This multiday event billed as a “celebration of freedom, power, and Black excellence” will include a parade, fashion show, and even a kids soccer clinic.
Queens
- When: June 19
- Where: Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans, Queens
- What: according to hosts 876 Project, this year’s theme theme is “Black to the Future.” The project’s website says the celebration “reclaims the future as a space of Black freedom, creativity and possibility,” and will feature interactive activities and workshops, performances and Black-owned businesses.
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning Screening: The Inkwell
- When: June 19, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
- Where: Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Queens
- What: The JCAL will celebrate Juneteenth by hosting a free screening of “The Inkwell,” about a young man in an iconic black enclave in Martha's Vineyard, who deals with family drama and gets swept up in a love triangle.
Staten Island
Fifth Annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival
- When: June 19
- Where: Tappen Park on Staten Island
- What: Presented by the Roc-A-Natural foundation, the parade, featuring a Harriet Tubman Float, a Madam CJ Walker Float, a Freedom Fighters Float and an Afrofuturism Float kicks off at noon and goes on for an hour. After the parade, the festivities continue with performances, DJ music, and vendors until 6 p.m.
The Bronx
Sixth Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Van Cortlandt Park
- When: June 19, 4 to 8 p.m.
- Where: Van Cortlandt Park
- What: This event, hosted by the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Bronx Arts Ensemble, will begin with a West African drumming performance, libation ceremony and laying of flowers at the Enslaved African Burial Ground at 4 p.m. Then, at 5 p.m. on the lawn, attendees can listen in on a presentation discussing “Reimagining the Enslaved Burial Ground,” followed by performances curated by Bronx Arts Ensemble and Yolanda Wyns.
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Existing in New York City
Race And Justice Unit
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new york city
Catalina Gonella
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