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Ways to commemorate Juneteenth in Raleigh

Monday, June 19 is Juneteenth — we gathered eight events in the City of Oaks to honor and celebrate the federal holiday.

June 15, 2023 • 
Cat George
The "Past to Present" outdoor exhibit.

While you’re at John Chavis Memorial Park, read the “Past to Present” outdoor exhibit.

Photo by RALtoday

Monday, June 19 is Juneteenth, which marks the end of institutional slavery in the US. Keep reading for eight ways to commemorate the holiday around Raleigh this weekend.

  • Juneteenth Tours | Friday, June 16 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Pope House Museum, 511 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | Free | Tour the home and learn about one of Raleigh’s most prominent Black families.
  • Honoring Juneteenth | Friday, June 16 | 12-4 p.m. | North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh | Free | Meet members of the Battery B Second Regiment and US Colored Troops (USCT) Light Artillery reenactors.
  • For the Culture Crawl | Friday, June 16 | 5-8 p.m. | Artspace, 201 E. Davie St., Raleigh | Free | View, shop, and support Black art organizations, businesses, and public artwork downtown.
  • Liberation Station Bookstore Grand Opening | Saturday, June 17 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Liberation Station Bookstore, 208 Fayetteville St., Ste. 201, Raleigh | Free | Celebrate the opening of NC’s first Black-owned children’s bookstore with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., book signings, and a Black ASL storytime.
  • Capital City Juneteenth Celebration | Saturday, June 17 | 1-6 p.m. | Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr., Raleigh | Free | Bring your lawn chairs to enjoy an afternoon of powerful performances, family activities like inflatables and yard games, and shop from vendors and food trucks.
  • Raleigh Juneteenth Festival | Saturday, June 17 | 1-6 p.m. | 2235 Garner Rd., Raleigh | $0-$25 | Experience this celebration of freedom, culture, and empowerment with 100+ Black business owners, food trucks, a health and wellness fair, fashion show, and more.
  • Juneteenth Joy: Hip-Hop, Resistance, and Sneaker Culture in Film | Saturday, June 17 | 6 p.m. | NCMA, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | $10-$12 | From 6-8 p.m., listen and dance to a set by DJ Brian Dawson and stay for the screening of “Do the Right Thing” at 8:30 p.m.
  • Neo-Soul Juneteenth-themed Cookout | Sunday, June 18 | 3-7 p.m. | House of Art, 306 E. Hargett St., Raleigh | $10 | Cadillac Smoke & Grill will be whipping up good eats while Darren & Friends play live neo soul music.

Reminder: Wake County Government offices will be closed on Juneteenth in recognition of the holiday.

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