The Emancipation Proclamation was signed in January 1863, legally freeing all enslaved people in the United States. Juneteenth, also known as Black Independence Day and Jubilee Day, celebrates the policy’s practical implementation—the day Union troops arrived in Texas on June 19, 1865, ensuring freedom for more than 250,000 enslaved people in the westernmost Confederate state.
Long celebrated in African American communities, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. In Washington, D.C., where Black people constitute nearly half the population (and an even higher percentage of D.C.-born residents), there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate:
June 19 to 22 Emancipation Proclamation on View at the National Archives
Boeing Learning Center
701 Constitution Ave., NW
Free
On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which firmly declared the end of slavery in a state where emancipation had been violently denied. The handwritten order, and the Emancipation Proclamation itself, are on display for a limited time at the National Archives. (Because the proclamation is so delicate, it is not permanently available for public viewing.)
Ongoing through June 22 We Gather at the Edge: Contemporary Quilts by Black Women Artists
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
1661 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Free
Modern interpretations of a Black textile tradition are on show this month at the Renwick Gallery.
June 19 at 10 a.m. Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade
Penn Branch Shopping Center
3202 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Free
Line the streets to see dynamic performances by local artists and organizations, followed by a family-friendly festival at Fort Dupont Park.
June 19 at 10 a.m. Juneteenth Celebration: Power in the Past. Strength in the Future
Anacostia Community Museum
1901 Fort Pl., SE
Free
The Anacostia Community Museum spotlights collective action, art and community. This daylong celebration includes live music, local food trucks, mural painting, yoga, urban gardening and much more. Plus don’t miss their ongoing exhibition, A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts Education in Washington, D.C., 1900-2000, tracing the stories of teachers and students who made the city an unparalleled center for Black arts education.
June 19 at 11 a.m. Juneteenth in Georgetown
Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemeteries
2501 Mill Rd. NW
Immerse yourself in city history at D.C.’s historic Black cemeteries with learning tours, hands-on service, rock painting and more.
June 19 at 11 a.m. Juneteenth Community Festival
ONE DC Black Workers & Wellness Center
2500 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE
Free
Celebrate liberation, meet D.C. neighbors and learn how to get involved in the community at this fair featuring local vendors, live music, spoken word performances and more.
June 21 at 10:30 a.m. Juneteenth Community Day
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave. NW
Free, registration required
The museum’s annual celebration this year features art workshops, a tour of the Caribbean through dance and music and a performance blending reggae with D.C. go-go music.
June 21 at 10:30 a.m. June Family Day: Honoring Juneteenth
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building
10 1st St. SE
Free, registration required
The Library of Congress’s Juneteenth focuses on home and family this year, with a discussion of quilting and conversation with bestselling author Jewell Parker Rhodes.
June 21 at 1 p.m. Home Rule Music Festival
The Parks at Walter Reed
1010 Butternut St., NW
Free
This annual celebration of D.C.’s vibrant music and cultural scene features live performances, food vendors, a workshop with industry professionals and more.
