Your Juneteenth guide: 19 ways to celebrate across metro Atlanta

Looking to get out and celebrate Juneteenth next weekend?

There are plenty of Juneteenth-themed festivities happening throughout metro Atlanta, including the annual Juneteenth Parade and Music Festival, arts and crafts, live music, cultural performances, family activities and food from around the world.

But before the festivities begin, what is Juneteenth and why is the number 19 significant?

Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the order was not enforced or even acknowledged in a few Confederate-controlled areas — including parts of Texas.

It wasn’t until Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, and issued General Order No. 3 that an estimated 250,000 enslaved people in Texas learned they were free.

Since then, Juneteenth has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, parades, educational programs, community gatherings and cultural events to honor Black freedom, resilience and achievement.

Juneteenth became an official U.S. federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. It was the first national holiday created since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

Atlanta, the nation’s “Black Mecca,” is home to one of the country’s largest and most influential Black populations and has become an epicenter for Black culture, business, politics and activism.

To commemorate Juneteenth, here are 19 ways to celebrate.

14th annual Juneteenth Parade & Music Festival

Details: The 14th annual Juneteenth Parade and Music Festival is one of Atlanta’s largest annual Juneteenth celebrations featuring live entertainment, food vendors, cultural activities, the Freedom Day Parade and a 5K Freedom Run.

Chauncey Delaney (center) cheers on the parade as it moves up Decatur St. towards Centennial Park during the Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Steve Schaefer/AJC.com)

When:

• Friday, June 19: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (festival)
• Saturday, June 20: 10 a.m. (World Freedom Day Parade)
• Sunday, June 21: 9 a.m. (5K Freedom Run)

Where: Piedmont Park, 1071 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Living Legends: A Southwest Atlanta Homecoming

Details: Living Legends: A Southwest Atlanta Homecoming is a three-part series bringing multiple generations to celebrate community history, culture and traditions. Activities include a barbecue cook-off, field day, line dancing and more.

When: Friday, June 19, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: The Junction at the Mary Parker Foundation, 2800 Campbellton Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30311

Juneteenth at the High

The High Museum of Art offers free admission and activities on Sunday including an interactive experience from Tambor Party. (Courtesy of the High Museum of Art/Alphonso Whitfield)

Details: The High Museum’s Juneteenth at the High, an all-day celebration, includes live jazz from various artists, artmaking activities and special programming centered on community, joy and self-determination. An exclusive ticketed performance by Amy Sherald is also scheduled.

When: Friday June 19

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Juneteenth Celebration
• 5-9 p.m.: Juneteenth VIP Night
• 6-10 p.m.: Friday Jazz

Where: High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Atlanta History Center’s Juneteenth Celebration

Mama Koku shares stories with the crowd during the Juneteenth weekend at the Atlanta History Center on Sunday June 16, 2019. (Steve SChaeffer/Special to the AJC)

Details: The Atlanta History Center’s Juneteenth Celebration features live performances, quilt-making, face painting and educational activities honoring those who fought for freedom to make Juneteenth possible.

When: Friday, June 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

Chattahoochee Food Works Juneteenth Celebration

Details: Chattahoochee’s Food Works Juneteenth Celebration is a three-day celebration spotlighting Black-owned businesses, a Juneteenth makers market, DJs and food vendors.

When: Friday-Sunday, June 19-21, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Chattahoochee Food Works, 1235 Chattahoochee Ave. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Juneteenth Grove Park Celebration

Details: The Juneteenth Grove Park Celebration, a free community cookout, celebrates Black freedom, joy and economic empowerment. The event features roughly 100 Black-owned businesses, cultural programming and live entertainment.

When: Friday, June 19, noon-8 p.m.

Where: Grove Park Foundation, 1566 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Marcus Bar & Grille Juneteenth Block Party

Details: Enjoy an ode to freedom, flavor and fellowship with several Black-owned vendors, DJs, outdoor games, good vibes and a special holiday menu with Marcus Bar & Grille’s Juneteenth Block Party.

Marcus’ menu offers oysters on the half shell, steaks, barbecue and signature items like brown sugar wings, fried chicken and cornbread waffles, and Old Bay crab cakes. (Courtesy of Andrew Thomas Lee)

When: Friday, June 19, 5-11 p.m.

Where: Marcus Bar & Grille, 525 Edgewood Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA

Juneteenth: A Wine, Music & Vibes Experience

Details: Juneteenth: A Wine, Music & Vibes Experience is a full day wine tour hosted by Black Girls Guide ATL, Paradise & Vibe and Ride the Vibe ATL, featuring music, food and winery visits.

When: Saturday, June 20, 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Where: Ride the Vibe Meeting Point, 4025 Pleasantdale Road, Atlanta, GA 30340

Fellaship Juneteenth Afrobeats Night

Details: Fellaship Juneteenth Afrobeats Night celebrates Africa and the diaspora with music while welcoming FIFA World Cup visitors to Atlanta.

When: Friday, June 19, 8 p.m.-midnight

Where: Fellaship ATL, 110 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, Atlanta, GA 30313

Remy Martin’s Juneteenth Ball

Details: The Juneteenth Ball is an upscale Juneteenth celebration featuring a black carpet, cocktails, dancing and formal attire.

When: Saturday-Sunday, June 20-21, 7 p.m.-midnight

Where: Villa Christina, 4000 Summit Blvd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30319

Early Birdz Get the Worm 90s Juneteenth Cookout

Details: Start your day with free chicken sausage, peach mimosas, DJs and a 1990s-themed cookout atmosphere with the Early Birdz Get The Worm 90’s Juneteenth Cookout.

When: Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: The Chicken Coop, 3161 Maple Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

L&L Crafty Finds Juneteenth Wine and Woodburning

Details: Creative workshops featuring wine tastings and custom wood-burning projects inspired by Juneteenth themes as part of L & L Crafty Finds’ Juneteenth celebration. Materials are included and guests may bring their own wine.

When: Friday, June 19, 7-9 p.m.; Saturday, June 20, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Where: L & L Crafty Finds, 4421 Glenwood Road, Suite 600, Decatur, GA 30032

City of Smyrna Juneteenth Celebration

Details: The City of Smyrna invites everyone to a family-friendly Juneteenth celebration featuring live entertainment, local vendors and activities on the Village Green.

When: Friday, June 19, 6-10 p.m.

Where: Village Green Park, 1250 Powder Springs St. SE, Smyrna, GA 30080

Trilith Town Centre Juneteenth Celebration

Details: Trilith Town Centre’s 2026 Juneteenth Celebration is a family-friendly event featuring live music, children’s activities, local vendors and food.

When: Friday, 9-10 a.m., complimentary dance class; 6-10 p.m., main celebration

Where: Trilith Town Centre, 125 Shepperton Way, Fayetteville, GA 30214

Hapeville’s Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration

Details: Hapeville’s Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration features food trucks, games, arts and crafts, a panel discussion and an African American genealogy workshop.

When: Friday, June 19, 1-6 p.m.

Where: Jess Lucas Park, 680 S. Central Ave., Hapeville, GA 30354

William Root House Juneteenth Freedom Day

Details: Enjoy free museum admission, storytelling, crafts, cooking demonstrations and historical interpretation focused on slavery in urban environments with the William Root House Juneteenth Freedom Day.