June 19 will mark the 158th anniversary of the arrival of Major General Gordon Granger to Galveston Island, effectively freeing the enslaved people. Since then, Juneteenth is celebrated to commemorate the liberation of enslaved people in the U.S.
Former State Senator, and native Houstonian, Al Edwards sponsored a bill in Texas to make Juneteenth a state holiday. Former Governor Clements signed the bill in 1979, making Texas the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday.
Houstonians can celebrate the holiday throughout the month of June, with some free and paid events in the area.
Here is a list of 20 Juneteenth events being held in Houston throughout the month of June.
JUNETEENTH IN HOUSTON
JUNE 10
Celebrate Freedom – Juneteenth Family Fun Day | Saturday June 10th 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Emancipation Park Conservancy is organizing an event to kick off the Juneteenth celebrations across Houston. They will have music, games, and other activities. For more information visit Emancipation Park Conservancy's website.
JUNE 15
Juneteenth Liberation Market | Thursday June 15 6:30-8:30 p.m. 5216 Montrose Boulevard
SOA Co Books is hosting a market with local vendors and African-American writers at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. The event will have music and drinks, and the exhibitions Ming Smith: Feeling the Future and Where Do We Go From Here will be available to the public. The market is free to attend but an RSVP is encouraged. More information is available here.
HCCAC Juneteenth Double Feature | Thursday June 15 4 p.m. 13334 Wallisville Road
The Harris County Cultural Arts Center is providing an event with art activities, tours of their exhibits and a presentation of Dr. Jolie Rocke's historical account of emancipation, "Remembering Juneteenth." Tickets are free. For more information visit HCCAC’s website.
JUNE 16
Juneteenth Kids Fun Fest | Friday June 16 12-6 p.m. 13334 Wallisville Road
The Harris County Cultural Arts Center is organizing a family friendly event with a bounce house, games, a talent show, and vendors. The Fun Fest is free. For more information visit HCCAC’s website.
Juneteenth Kickback | Friday June 16 5-9 p.m. 2521 Holman St.
Project Row Houses is hosting a celebration with food, games, and art presentations. There will be a Community Mural Project where they will design a replica Row House. For more information about the event visit Project Row Houses' website.
JUNE 17
Juneteenth Freedom Run/Walk & Music Festival | Saturday June 17th 7-11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
The Emancipation Park Conservancy is arranging a walk around the neighborhood, and a concert. There will be vendors and food trucks, but both events are free. The walk ends at 11 a.m., and gates open for the concert at 2 p.m. For more information visit Emancipation Park Conservancy's website.
Mayor Turner's Annual Acres Homes Juneteenth Parade | Saturday June 17th 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is presenting his 9th annual Juneteenth parade. The parade starts at Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, travels North, and ends at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The parade is open to all.
For more information visit Mayor’s Office of Special Events
A Juneteenth Celebration at Bayou Bend | Saturday June 17th 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 6003 Memorial Drive
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is organizing a celebration at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens centered around Black History. The event will have an art making workshop, and will teach about the Wilson Pottery Foundation and the legacy of African-American cowboys among other things. For more information, visit the MFAH website.
Juneteenth Market | June 17th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 4807 Caroline Street
The Houston Museum of African American Culture is hosting a cultural shopping event with music, vendors, and a talk with several artists from the Bert Long Jr. Gallery Spring Survey exhibition. The Market is open to all.
A Juneteenth Journey Through Fort Bend County | Saturday June 17 1-3 p.m. George Memorial Library 1001 Golfview Drive
The Society of Justice & Equality for the People of Sugar Land is showing a play to commemorate Juneteenth, celebrate African-American achievements in Fort Bend County, and honor the victims of convict leasing that were found in Sugar Land. Tickets to the play are free, but seating is limited. To reserve a seat, follow this link.
Blck Market Houston | Saturday June 17 1-5 p.m. @ GreenStreet, 1201 Fannin Street, TX 77002
Blck Market Houston is throwing their 4th annual Juneteenth Celebration. The festivities include vendors, live music, and food. Although the event is free, tickets can be purchased for five dollars to guarantee a spot.
For more information visit the BLCK Market’s events page
Annual Juneteenth Concert | Saturday June 17 3 p.m. 500 Clay Street
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church is hosting the Houston Ebony Opera Guild for a concert to celebrate Juneteenth. The Opera Guild will sing Linda Twine's cantata "Changed my Name". Admission is free. More information is available on the Houston Ebony Music website.
The Generation Park Juneteenth Celebration at Redemption Square | Saturday June 17 3-8 p.m. Redemption Square Assay Street
Redemption Square, in partnership with the Harris County Cultural Arts Council, is inviting people to celebrate Juneteenth with food, art, and live music. There's a kid's zone with games, crafts, face painting, and balloon animals. This event is free to attend. More info is available on Redemption Square's website.
JUNE 18
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom | Sunday June 18 2-9 p.m. at 1001 Avenida De Las Americas & 1836 Polk Street
Discovery Green and Avenida Houston are hosting an event to celebrate Juneteenth. The festivities include live music, food, and vendors from BLCK Market. Admission is free. More information is available at the Miller Outdoor Theatre events page.
Galveston Symphony Celebrates Juneteenth | Sunday June 18 4 p.m. 2020 Postoffice St, Galveston
The Galveston Symphony and the Galveston Heritage Choral are presenting a concert featuring music composed by artists of African descent at the Grand 1984 Opera House. Tickets start at $25 on The Grand’s website. More information on the track list is available on the Galveston Symphony website.
JUNE 19
44th Annual Al Edwards Juneteenth Celebration | Monday June 19th 10-11 a.m. 2328 Broadway, Galveston
UTMB-Galveston will host an event where local elected officials, community leaders, and family members of Al Edwards, the "father of Juneteenth", will pay homage to the former State Representative. The celebration is open to the public.
Juneteenth Emancipation Block Party and Reenactment March | Monday June 19th 1-7:30 p.m. 2013 Broadway Avenue
Reedy Chapel AME Church is celebrating Juneteenth by throwing a block party with vendors, games, a bounce house, food, activities, and an Emancipation March Reenactment. For more information on the event visit Reedy Chapel's website.
THROUGHOUT JUNE
Juneteenth HBCU Alliance | Friday June 16 and Saturday June 17 10 a.m. 401 Franklin Street
The Juneteenth HBCU Alliance, composed of the TSU National Alumni Association and the PVAMU National Alumni Association, is organizing a festival to celebrate Juneteenth. Their Black is Beautiful celebration will have arts and crafts, games, a Barbie exhibit, and much more. More information on this event, and tickets for the others, are available on TSUNAA’s Juneteenth page
Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration | Friday June 16 5 p.m. and Saturday June 17 7 p.m. 2400 Texas Parkway
The Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation is holding several events to celebrate Juneteenth. The Family Night Out, "One Mile of Smiles" Parade, and Concert in the Park are family friendly events open to the public. For more information visit Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation’s website.
Wells Fargo Presents Juneteenth at Miller: A Celebration of Freedom | Friday June 16th and Saturday 17th 8:15 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. at Miller Outdoor Theater
The Miller Outdoor Theater will play host to a two-day concert of Blues, Classic R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Inspirational Music, while commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Seating on the hill is first come first serve. Tickets for covered seating are available online.
Children's Museum Juneteenth Celebrations | Saturday June 17 – Monday June 19th 1500 Binz Street
The Children's Museum is presenting three days' worth of activities to celebrate Juneteenth. There will be Djembe Drumming, a DJ and plays between the 17th and the 19th. For the hours of the presentations, visit the Children’s Museum's website.