Juneteenth 2024: Where to Hang Out and Celebrate in Texas

Juneteenth is so much more recognized since the U.S. President signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021. Juneteenth has been celebrated in Texas by people of all melanin varieties since it became a historical event on January 1, 1863. I’ve always lived in rural areas.

I’ve been invited to some unforgettable Juneteenth celebrations in rural North Texas. Pit BBQ, music, and dancing epitomized the big event of the year, when whole families, and their friends and neighbors celebrated Juneteenth for a few days. I never thought about how people thought about Juneteenth in Texas cities.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops informed African Americans in Galveston Bay and across Texas that President Abraham. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. On August 20, 1866, President Johnson issued a proclamation announcing the end of the American Civil War.

Juneteenth falls on Wednesday in 2024. Some cities and organizations celebrated Juneteenth on June 15th and 16th this year. Others are celebrating on Juneteenth, through the entire month of June, and on June 22nd and 23rd. The following is a list of some of the weekend celebrations on and after Juneteenth in Texas cities.

Arlington Juneteenth Celebrations

Arlington, a.k.a. the American Dream City, is celebrating Juneteenth with activities for the entire family June 15-29, 2024.

June 19: Ancestral Prayer at the College Town Renaissance Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1209 W Abram. Street, Arlington. 

June 20: One Love Caribbean Restaurant, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., 2315 South Cooper Street, Arlington. The Black Business Alliance’s BBA Cafe is hosting a networking event with Chamber of Commerce members for food and fellowship in One Love’s Jamaican atmosphere.

June 22: Hunt & Ringgold Exhibit at the College Town Renaissance Center, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 1209 West Abram. Street, Arlington. 

June 29: “Adorned” Curated Specialty Pieces, College Town Renaissance Center from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 1209 West Abram. Street, Arlington. 

Austin Juneteenth Celebrations

Juneteenth: The Galveston Story Screenings at The Bullock Museum. The Bullock Museum is hosting a special Q&A screening of Juneteenth: The Galveston Story. This documentary features stories told by Galveston residents and descendants of people who were there on that historic day in 1865. 

Filmmakers Samuel Collins III and Sam. Addington will host a Q&A session. You must reserve a seat. Regular screenings will also take place. Regular screenings: June 19, 22, 23, and 30 at 1:30 p.m. Special Q&A screening: June 29, at 11 a.m. Texas Spirit Theatre at The Bullock Museum, 1800 Congress Avenue, Austin.

The George Washington Carver Museum and Carver ATX Foundation are hosting the fifth annual “Stay Black and Live Juneteenth Festival” at 1165 Angelina Street from Saturday, June 15 to Wednesday, June 19, Austin.

Juneteenth: Writer and activist Zoe Samundzi is hosting a conversation session at noon, followed by a remembrance ceremony in the Carver Museum’s Community Garden at 2:30 p.m. A performance of Patches: A Black Gat Man’s Journey to the Moon begins at 7 p.m. 

Juneteenth: The Paramount Theater at 713 Congress Avenue, Austin, screens If they Took Us Back at 6 p.m. 

Juneteenth: Celebrate afterward at the Freedom Ball at Cheer Up Charlie’s. It starts at 10 p.m., 900 River Street, Austin. 

June 22: The Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, is hosting tours, a gospel performance, and opens its A Juneteenth Rodeo exhibit. The exhibit features a collection of Black rodeos from the 1970s and one of Austin’s oldest historic residences and intact slave quarters. The event is free and includes lunch and a cocktail hour.

Juneteenth Social Ride and Block Party

Juneteenth: Black History Bike Ride plans to meet at the Capitol at 6 p.m. for a bike ride tour of historical sites. Participants need to bring a bike, a helmet, and water. A block party will follow at Rosewood Park with food by Chef Amanda Turner at 2300 Rosewood Avenue, Austin. 

Juneteenth Jubilee 

June 21: Travis County is hosting its 35th annual Juneteenth celebration. Expect vendors, information booths, ga.m.es, music, and performances. This event is free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. underneath the parking garage at 800 Lavaca Street, Austin.

Bryan Juneteenth Celebrations

Juneteenth Gospel Festival

June 20: The Juneteenth Committee of the Brazos Valley African American Heritage and Cultural Society invites you to joyful song, uplifting praise, and captivating dance at Neal Recreation Center, 600 North Randolph Avenue, Bryan, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Juneteenth Parade

June 22: The Brazos Valley African American Heritage and Cultural Society features local businesses, organizations, floats, and vehicles at the Juneteenth Parade. The fun starts at 10 a.m. and runs to 11:30 a.m. 

Juneteenth Celebration in the Park

June 22: After the Juneteenth Parade, head over to the Sadie Thomas Memorial Park, for an abundance of family-friendly fun from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 129 Moss Street, Bryan.

Juneteenth Blues Fest

June 22: Enjoy the vibrant continuation of Juneteenth festivities as Blues Fest takes center stage in Historic Downtown Bryan from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Juneteenth at the Brazos Valley African American Museum

Enjoy free admission every day in June at the Brazos Valley African American Museum. This museum is the official repository of artifacts, oral history, media reports, and other important historical source material for the African Americans who settled and lived in the Brazos Valley of Texas. Donations are greatly appreciated and will help with the operations of the museum.

Dallas Juneteenth Celebrations

Opal’s Walk for Freedom and Juneteenth at Fair Park

June 19: Take a 2.5-mile walk at 9 a.m. alongside Opal Lee, who is “The Grandmother of Juneteenth” or join in virtually. This event raises funds to build the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth. The march symbolizes the two and a half years it took for the slaves in Texas to learn of their freedom. 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas.

Fair Park, the African American Museum

Juneteenth: The African American Museum Juneteenth hosts activities, and the Hall of State will display the original General Order No. 3, which brought the news of the emancipation to Texas. The Parade is on June 19 from 9 a.m. to noon, starting near the African American Museum, Dallas. $35, $10 virtual. 3536 Grand Ave, Dallas.

Manifest Your Purpose Juneteenth Market

June 22: Stationary design company, Manifest Your Purpose, is giving a platform to 50-plus local businesses through shopping and networking at its Juneteenth Market. This event features drinks, food, and photo ops. Attendance is free. You can purchase a VIP pass that includes two drink tickets for $10. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lofty Spaces, 816 Montgomery Street, Dallas.

Denton Juneteenth Celebration

Poetry Sam

Juneteenth: Poetry Sam. with Black Caesar, 7:00 p.m., at the MLK Recreation Center, 1300 Wilson St, Denton.

Little Elm Juneteenth Celebration

Little Elm Juneteenth Freedom Walk

June22: Music by Don Diego and more follows The Freedom Walk from 10 a.m. to noon at Little Elm Park. This event includes a video message by Opal Lee, bounce houses, and food truck, plus brunch tickets are available for purchase and start at $20. The walk is free. 

Fort Worth Juneteenth Celebration

Opal Lee’s Walk for Freedom

June 19: Opal Lee, also known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” is inviting community members to join her in her 2.5-mile Walk for Freedom, which starts at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 19, at 1050 Evans Avenue in Fort Worth. Its route travels through Arlington, Grand Prairie, and Dallas. 

This 2.5-mile walk represents the 2.5 years it took for the Emancipation Procla.m.ation to reach Texas The cost per adult is $35 and $25 for children, plus $6.19 of every registration will be donated to the National Juneteenth Museum. 

Houston Juneteenth Celebration

June 21: Travis County’s 35th Annual Juneteenth Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., underneath the parking garage at 800 Lavaca Street. 

Odessa Juneteenth Celebrations

Juneteenth Kickoff

Juneteenth: The three-day activities include musical performances by artist, food vendors, children activities, parade, multicultural exhibits, a morning set aside for youth educational programs, a talent show, and performances by children.

Juneteenth: Woodson Park, 1010 Murphy Street, Odessa.

Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Juneteenth Kickoff

June 20:

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Dallas Black Dancers Ector Theater

8:00 p/m. to 11:00 p.m.: The All White Party at the Odessa Marriott Hotel presents Demola Tha Violinist & Jeter Jones. This is a ticketed event.

June 21:

6:00 p.m.: Regina McKnight Volleyball Tournament at Ector College Prep Middle School, 809 W Clements St, Odessa.

7:00 p.m.: Juneteenth Pageant, Blackshear Auditorium, 501 S. Dixie Blvd., Odessa.

9:00 to 10:00 p.m.: Talent Search, Main Stage, Woodson Park.

10:00 to 11:30 p.m. Landon Torbitt on the Saxophone, Woodson Park. 

10:00 to 11:30 p.m. Kid’s Korner Under the Yellow Tents, Woodson Park.

June 22

9:00 a.m.: Regina McKnight Volleyball Tournament, Ector College Prep Middle School. 

9:00 a.m.: Danny R. Wright Basketball Tournament, Permian.

9:00 to 1:00 p.m.: Youth in the Park, youth activities & annual picnic.

2:00 to 4:00 p.m.: Odessa Reconnect Saturday Fun Day, Woodson Center. 

7:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Parade Line Up. You must register to be in the parade. There is no entry fee to register.

8:00 p.m.: Parade. 

9:30 p.m.: Hometown Heroes, Main Stage Woodson Park. 

10:00 to 11:30 p.m.: Kid’s Korner Under the Yellow Tents, Woodson Park. 

10:00 to 11:30 p.m.: Shilo Band, Main Stage Woodson Park. 

June 23

1:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Gospel Luncheon, Woodson Center. 

3:00 to 4:00p.m.: Reflections of Blackshear Jr. & Sr. High School, Woodson Center. 

6:00 to 7:00 p.m.: Gospel Celebration, Guest Speaker Rev, Dr. M.D. Hood.

9:30 to 11:30 p.m.: Slack & Friends Band, Main Stage Woodson Park. 

Plano Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth Freedom Day 

June 22: A free event with a parade featuring the state champion Plano East High School basketball team and community organizations. The festivities continue at the Plano African American Museum and the Boys and Girls Club in the historic Douglass community. It happens from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Douglass Community Center, 1111 H Avevenue, Plano. 

Port Arthur Juneteenth Celebration

June 19: The 40th Annual Juneteenth Parade commences at 6 p.m. The parade line-up begins at 5 p.m. at the corner of Proctor and Stillwell Boulevard and rolls at 6 p.m. It ends at Gillam Circle. Entertainment follows at Barbara Jacket Park at 100 Gilham Circle, Port Arthur.

San Antonio Juneteenth Celebration

Evening Farmers Market

Juneteenth: Juneteenth Summer Solstice celebrates freedom and the power of unity at Gardopia Gardens featuring cultural performances and soulful music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 619 N New Braunfels Avenue, San Antonio.

San Marcos Juneteenth Celebration

Community Celebration at Dunbar Recreation Center, 801 MLK Drive, San Marcos, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Dunbar Heritage Association is hosting a traditional Juneteenth celebration commemorating the delayed announcement of the emancipation of African slaves in Texas. Activities include games for children and adults, music, and educational sessions.

Taylor Juneteenth Celebration

Taylor Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth: Taylor will hold its first annual parade and brunch on June 19, starting at 9 a.m. at the Dickey-Givens Community Center at 1015 E M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard, Taylor.

Tyler Juneteenth Celebration

The Texas African American Museum Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Texas African American Museum is hosting their free event featuring entertainment, food, and games at 309 West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Tyler.