Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in Texas, has been celebrated for more than 150 years and continues to serve as a powerful reminder of Black freedom, resilience and culture.
The holiday marks June 19, 1865, the day Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and announced that enslaved people were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1866 and became a federal holiday in 2021.
Across Houston and Galveston, residents will mark the occasion with music, parades, cookouts, reenactments and other events. Here are some ways to celebrate:
Tuesday, June 17
A Voice Within
7–9 p.m., Emancipation Park, 3018 Emancipation Ave., Houston
Presented by the Emancipation Park Conservancy, this performance will feature songs and poetry highlighting the classical music traditions of Black Houstonians. Tickets are $25.
Wednesday, June 18
Juneteenth 1865–2025: Kinfolk and Family
12:30–2 p.m., Houston Community College Central Campus, San Jacinto Memorial Building Auditorium, 1300 Holman St., Houston
HCC and KHOU will host a special Juneteenth event featuring a documentary screening. Admission is free.
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth 160: Freedom, Fireworks & Family
3–9 p.m., Menard Park, Galveston
Presented by the city of Galveston and Council Member Sharon Lewis, this event will include live music, food, a fireworks show, and community recognitions. It is free and open to the public.
Juneteenth Parade and Picnic
3–4:30 p.m., Wright Cuney Park, Galveston
A parade through the community, followed by a family picnic. Free and open to the public.
Juneteenth on Almeda: The Ultimate Bar Crawl
3–8 p.m., Almeda Road Corridor, Houston
My Southern Brand and Black Book will host a bar crawl featuring more than 25 Black-owned bars, restaurants and shops. Free Juneteenth-themed items will be available. Details are available on event websites.
Community Artists’ Collective Juneteenth en Blanc
Noon–5 p.m., 4111 Fannin St., Suite 100A, Houston
This free event includes music, food, a community art project and a photo booth. Attendees are encouraged to wear white.
Juneteenth 160 Fest
1–8 p.m., Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy Visitor’s Center, 1204 Victor St., Houston
This daylong celebration features yoga, art, dancing, educational workshops and a talent show.
Children’s Museum Houston Juneteenth Celebration
9 a.m.–6 p.m., 1500 Binz St., Houston
The museum’s celebration will include crafts, drumming, dance activities and more. Additional details are available on the museum’s website.
Saturday, June 21
Juneteenth Red Carpet Meet and Greet
5–7 p.m., The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston
The San Antonio Juneteenth Freedom Coalition, along with Tray Brown and April Winn, will present a Juneteenth-themed stage play with live entertainment and door prizes.
Throughout June
From Plantation to Emancipation Tour
10–11:30 a.m., every Saturday in June and Thursday, June 19, The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park, 1100 Bagby St., Houston
The Heritage Society will host immersive storytelling tours inside historic homes with live reenactments. Tickets are $25.
