On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston to announce that all enslaved people in Texas were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Since then, Black communities have celebrated their freedom with events during the week around June 19.
In 1979, Juneteenth became a state holiday in Texas and was celebrated officially for the first time in 1980. It was designated as a federal holiday in 2021. Here are some of the ways Austin is celebrating the 160-year-old proclamation of freedom.
Stay Black & Live, June 10-19
Presented by the George Washington Carver Museum and Six Square, the includes events throughout the week leading up to June 19. A Free Your Mind Symposium Series with speakers in innovation and education will take place Tuesday and Wednesday (June 10-11), followed by a music festival and barbecue cookout on Saturday (June 14) and a community remembrance ceremony for the deceased on June 19. The events are free, and times vary by event.
Round Rock Juneteenth Festival, June 13-14
The Austin suburb’s free Juneteenth festival will feature near Yonkers Point on the north side of Old Settlers Park. Festivities start at 6 p.m. both nights. on Friday are sold separately.
Juneteenth Block Party, June 14
The city of Leander will host festivities at Robin Bledsoe Park starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The will feature live music and art, food vendors, a basketball tournament and a word from the mayor.
ACC Juneteenth Celebrate Freedom event, June 18
Austin Community College will host its featuring live music, games and free food at the Eastview Campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Central Texas Juneteenth Parade & Festival, June 19
, fit with floats and local bands, will start at 10 a.m., traveling down Chicon Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Rosewood Avenue. Local food and merchandise vendors will continue the festival at Rosewood Park until 9 p.m.
Hella Free: The Juneteenth Function, June 19
The free event at Empire Control Room from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. will be “nothing but good vibes, dope music, dancing, and a crowd that knows how to party with purpose,� .
Bodega Nights: Juneteenth Celebration, June 19
Hosted at the Volstead Lounge, the DJ-led event is .
AGÕæÈË°Ù¼ÒÀÖ County Juneteenth, June 20
The county is hosting its . The festivities will include music, games, food and informational booths, all to celebrate the theme: "Still We Rise. Celebrating the Journey with Power and Purpose." The event is free and will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 800 Lavaca St.
Juneteenth Book Club Brunch, June 21
The Austin Public Library will host a brunch at the Windsor Park Branch to discuss “The Color of Law� by Richard Rothstein and an accompanying short film from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. At the Cepeda Branch, there will be hands-on activities for all ages from 1 to 3 p.m. celebrating the history of Juneteenth. .
Inaugural Martindale Juneteenth Celebration, June 21
The Austin suburb will host its with live music, speakers and food vendors. The community event starts at 11:30 a.m. and is free.
DRUMLine Live Juneteenth Tour, June 22
The international tour is coming to Bass Concert Hall at 3 p.m. The performance honors the marching band tradition at historically Black colleges and universities with syncopated, choreographed energy. .
NCHM Juneteenth Celebration, June 22
From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can get lunch, go on a guided tour of slave quarters and hear a gospel choir . The free event celebrates community, Juneteenth and the opening of a newly-installed interior mural.
A Juneteenth Celebration, June 24
Thinkery on Mueller will host a . The festivities include arts, crafts, live demonstrations and ways to learn about Black inventors.
Austin African American Book Festival, June 27-28
After Marita Golden’s Black writers workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 27, festivities on June 28 include conversations with best-selling authors, historians and activists. The free festival programmed events for adults and children and will be at Carver Library and Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. .
