On Wednesday, June 19, residents across Atlanta will once again celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the anniversary of the last group of enslaved people freed in the United States.
Several events and activities are also planned for the days leading up to Juneteenth, which was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.
Festivities range from a parade and festival in Piedmont Park to a family-friendly gathering at Oakland Cemetery.
One of the events comes from The National Center of Civil and Human Rights. The museum in downtown Atlanta is holding a three-day program on the history of the holiday that, according to Director of Education Nicole Moore, is meant to reiterate joy.
“When we think about slavery, a lot of people cringe, they get nervous … and yet here we are talking about men, women and children who found out two years after emancipation that they were finally free,” Moore told WABE. “And then the next year, have a party. They celebrate [and] they commemorate everything that they’ve been through, that their ancestors had been through.”
The event will feature a quilt mural, scavenger hunt, book giveaway, trivia and Juneteenth flag-making.
Cameron Argotsinger, NCCHR’s senior program manager, is honored to host it.
“[The end of slavery] didn’t seem like it would be possible [for those enslaved],” he said. “To be able to celebrate that at the center, it means a lot to us.”
Here are some other ways to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday in metro Atlanta this year.
Thursday, June 13:
Truist Night Market: Juneteenth Edition, 6:30-9:30 p.m. – The Home Depot Backyard
Friday, June 14:
21st Juneteenth Weekend Celebration (through June 16) – Marietta Square
Saturday, June 15:
Juneteenth Family Festival, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Oakland Cemetery
Juneteenth Home Plate, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Atlanta History Center
A Juneteenth Celebration at The Center (Day 1), noon – The National Center of Civil and Human Rights
Beautè Noir Fest Juneteenth Celebration, noon – 10 p.m. – Pullman Yards, The Machinery
Austell’s Annual Juneteenth Festival, noon – 7 p.m. – 5514 Austell Powder Springs Rd. SW
South Fulton’s Annual 2024 Juneteenth Celebration, 4-10 p. m. – Wolf Creek Amphitheater
Sunday, June 16:
A Juneteenth Celebration at The Center (Day 2), noon – The National Center of Civil and Human Rights
Tuesday, June 18:
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area Second Annual Juneteenth Storytelling Festival, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Bruce Street School
Celebrate Juneteenth with Djoli Kelen at CMA, noon – Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Juneteenth at Marcus Bar & Grille (through June 20), 5-10 p.m. – Marcus Bar & Grille on Edgewood
Wednesday, June 19:
Access for All at HMOA, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – High Museum of Art
College Park Juneteenth Celebration, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. – College Park City Hall
A Juneteenth Celebration at The Center (Day 3), noon – The National Center of Civil and Human Rights
Sandy Springs Juneteenth Celebration, 5-8 p.m. – City Springs
Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23
Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival – Piedmont Park
Patrick Saunders contributed to this report.
