Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in Greater Houston & Galveston

Discover the celebrations, concerts and special events for the 159th anniversary of Juneteenth taking place in Houston and Galveston in June 2024.

This year marks the 159th anniversary of the date that news of the Emancipation Proclamation first reached Texas and was read aloud in Galveston on June 19, 1865—two years after it had become U.S. law.

In celebration of that day, the Greater Houston and Galveston areas host a number of festivals, events, and commemorations that we’ve gathered in this guide to plan your 2024 Juneteenth happenings.

2024 Juneteenth Events in Greater Houston

• Black Is… Black Ain’t Film Screening at Houston Museum of African American Culture | Wednesday, June 12 | FREE – Director Marlon Riggs’ final film is screened at HMAAC, just as it approaches its 30th anniversary. In the film, Riggs explores the numerous definitions of Blackness by traversing the country and talking with Black people across the spectrum of age, class, orientation and other characteristics. 7:30pm.
• Juneteenth Liberation Market at Post Houston | Thursday, June 13 | FREE – Kick off your Juneteenth celebration with this market presented by SOA Co. Books, an independent, Black, and female-owned pop-up bookstore based in Houston, in collaboration with CAMH. You’ll find a variety of unique items that showcase the spirit of Juneteenth. 6pm to 9pm.
• Billy Harper Quintet in Concert at the Eldorado Ballroom | Friday, June 14 – The jazz saxophonist and his ensemble perform live at this historic Third Ward location. Known as “The Texas Tenor,” Harper is from Houston and the Eldorado is an important fixture in his life and career. $35. 8:30pm.
• Juneteenth: A Musical Journey Through Eras at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Friday, June 14 & Saturday, June 15 | FREE – This special two-night concert series offers a poignant exploration of Black music’s evolution—and the reflections and impacts of history. Each night features different focuses, from the R&B, gospel and blues of 1960 to 1980, to the rise of hip-hop and beyond from 1980 to 2000. 8pm.
• BLCK Market’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at GreenStreet | Saturday, June 15 to Monday, June 17 – Returning to Downtown Houston, the local vendor market brimming with Black-owned small businesses celebrates Juneteenth with a weekend of collective economics and a wide range of goods to shop. Limited free admission; $8 after that. Noon to 5pm.

• Juneteenth Celebration at the Heritage Society | Saturday, June 15 | FREE – Commemorate Juneteenth in Downtown with a performance from the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses Houston, a teacake reception, Juneteenth Freedmen’s Town Bike Riders, talks from special guest speakers, and more at the Heritage Society. 9:30am to noon.
• LetsDoThisHouston: Juneteenth Black Bar Crawl at 3rd Ward Tours | Saturday, June 15 – Hop on two wheels for a slow-paced bike and brunch ride with stops at Third Ward destinations the Savoy and Bar 5015. $9 and up; bike rentals available. 10:30am to 2:30pm.
• 2024 Black Wall Street Festival & Day Party at 1003 Washington Avenue | Saturday, June 15 | FREE – Celebrate the arrival of Juneteenth with Black-owned businesses, food trucks, music, games, a job fair and more. Noon to 4pm.
• Juneteenth at Emancipation Park | Saturday, June 15 | FREE – Joy, unity and cultural pride will be on display as Emancipation Park welcomes all to join in its annual Juneteenth celebration, commemorating the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas. The fun kicks off with the 2nd Annual Freedom Walk/Run from 7am to 11am, followed by the day’s festivities and concerts beginning at 4pm (the crowd typically starts gathering around 3pm). Expect a night of good music, good food, good people and great vibes. 4pm to 9pm. 
• Juneteenth Celebration in Downtown Beaumont | Saturday, June 15 | FREE – The annual fest in Beaumont is headlined this year by the iconic R&B funk group, Con Funk Shun, joined by NuSoul and Blacque Koffee. Plus, kids can take part in a free throw competition, and families can enjoy food trucks, picnic areas, and more. 4pm to 9pm.
• Juneteenth Weekend Celebration at Bicentennial Park in Baytown | Saturday, June 15 | FREE – Community comes together in Baytown for a free concert in celebration of Juneteenth. Catch Kam Franklin of the Suffers, Mya, B Nycole and a slate of other musicians and live DJs, capped off with a fireworks spectacular. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets. 5pm to midnight.
• A Wine Walk to Remember at Houston Botanic Garden | Saturday, June 15 – Enjoy the beauty of nature and sip wine as you stroll through the South Houston garden. Look for live music, live painting and a Juneteenth educational experience along with three different wines from the Pur Noire portfolio. $45. 6pm.
• Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Children’s Museum Houston | Sunday, June 16 – Bring the kids to celebrate Juneteenth with a community mural, the Juneteenth Champions art exhibition, a storytime and more. $19.95. 9am to 5pm.
• Juneteenth Culture Fest at Avenida Houston | Sunday, June 16 | FREE – Along Avenida and into Discovery Green, this Juneteenth celebration offers a full evening of live music, BLCK Market vendors, food trucks, and a fireworks finale to cap off the night. 4pm to 9pm.

• Children’s Juneteenth at Fifth Ward Jam Park | Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19 | FREE – The Fifth Ward park space hosts a Juneteenth celebration with face painting, community painting for the upcoming Children’s Literacy Book Bus, performances and more. Noon to 5pm.
• Embers of Freedom & The Art of Poetry at Houston Museum of African American Culture | Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19 | FREE – HMAAC celebrates Juneteenth with two performances (2pm and 4pm) of Embers of Freedom, an interactive play that blends song, dance and spoken word; plus an evening event that explores freedom’s journey through poetry, storytelling and music in The Art of Poetry, beginning at 7pm.
• Juneteenth Elevated Kickback Experience at Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center | Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19 | FREE – Held at the brand new Visitor Center in historic Fourth Ward, this Juneteenth celebration features cuisine from across the African Diaspora, dance performances, live music and DJ, and art from the renowned This Way exhibition. 4pm to 8pm.
• Ice House Radio: Department of Black Phenomena at Brasil | Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19 | FREE – The roving DJ broadcast opens a new weekly residency this summer on the prime patio at Brasil Cafe in Montrose. The Department of Black Phenomena kick things off on Juneteenth, featuring Houston DJs Beau Yé Roc, Morgan Morgan, Sit.Wot, Musafa Enzor, and Brother Jackson. 7pm to 11pm.
• Lunch & Learn Speaker Series with Dr. Goodwin: Texas Slave Narrative at the Heritage Society | Thursday, June 20 – Dr. Ronald Goodwin from Prairie View A&M University will discuss the collection of slave narratives in Texas during the preservation efforts of the New Deal in the 1930s at the Heritage Society in Downtown. $10. Noon to 1pm.
• Crawfish Boil: Celebrating Juneteenth at Frost Bank Third Ward | Friday, June 21 | FREE – The Frost Bank outpost on the edge of the University of Houston campus will serve up crawfish, shaved ice and live tunes for free to the public, in celebration of Juneteenth. 2pm to 4pm.
• A Juneteenth Celebration at Bayou Bend Collection & Gardens | Saturday, June 22 | FREE – The American decorative arts museum commemorates Juneteenth with a family-centered program focusing on Black history. Learn about early African American businesses and the legacy of Black cowboys, plus you can take in a poetic performance and art-making workshop. 10am to 3pm.
• Juneteenth Weekend: Willie Clayton in Concert at Warehouse Live Midtown | Saturday, June 22 – Celebrate Juneteenth Weekend with live daytime performances by Will Clayton, PC Band, Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws, and S. Dott. All white attire is highly suggested, and Jacos BBQ will be serving it up on the patio. $50 and up. 2:30pm.
• Juneteenth Celebration at Five Points Park | Saturday, June 22 | FREE – Parade down Main Street in La Porte for a Juneteenth celebration that culminates in an evening festival with live music from the Unyt Band and Bryan Jack & the Zydeco Masters, plus a kid’s zone, vendors, food trucks and more. 3pm to 9pm.

2024 Juneteenth Events in Galveston

• Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch at Old Central Cultural Center | Thursday, June 13 to Sunday, June 16 – This inaugural production by Ossie Davis is a satirical play about a Black self-made traveling preacher as he returns to his segregated Georgia hometown with a bold mission: to buy and rehabilitate its derelict church, Big Bethel. $25. Times vary.
• 2nd Annual Juneteenth Comedy Fest at Galveston Convention Center | Friday, June 14 – An all-star lineup headlines this evening of laughs, marking not only the importance of the holiday, but Galveston’s unique role in it. Thea Vidale will be joined by Ben Jackson, Lotto Marie, Craig Bush, Pokey Simmons and many more. $25.99 and up. 7pm to 10pm.
• Juneteenth Festival & Celebration at Menard Park | Saturday, June 15 | FREE – In the birthplace of the national holiday, Galveston celebrates Juneteenth with its annual outdoor fest held along Seawall Boulevard at Menard Park. Expect vendors, live entertainment and plenty of family fun to mark the occasion. Noon to 8pm.
• Juneteenth Parade & Picnic in Galveston | Saturday, June 15 | FREE – Come out to the Island to celebrate this important holiday dedicated to freedom. The parade kicks off at 26th and Avenue H, with the picnic immediately following at Wright Cuney Park. 1pm.
• 2nd Annual Juneteenth Sneaker Ball at Moody Gardens Hotel | Saturday, June 15 – Join the Galveston Council of Greeks for a premier event celebrating the legacy of Juneteenth on the Island. Patrons will be dressed in their tuxedos and gowns with fashionable sneakers to highlight this signature celebration. $85 and up. 8pm.

• Galveston Symphony presents Spirit & Soul at the Grand 1894 Opera House | Sunday, June 16 | FREE – More than 50 musician performers come together between the Symphony and Galveston Heritage Chorale for an epic concert celebrating Juneteenth at the birthplace of the holiday, with a night of historical African American music. $20 and up. 4pm.
• 45th Annual Al Edwards Juneteenth Celebration at 1859 Ashton Villa | Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19 | FREE – Take in a live reading of General Order No. 3, which declared freedom for enslaved people, at the island’s official Juneteenth historic monument at the 1859 Ashton Villa. 10am to 11am.
• Juneteenth Family Fun Day at Reedy Chapel AME | Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19 | FREE – The historic Reedy Chapel AME church hosts a free community block party with food, games, prizes and more for families and those celebrating Juneteenth. Then, cap off the 159th Juneteenth by taking part in a historic reenactment of the emancipation march from the Chapel to the Galveston Courthouse to hear General Order No. 3, declaring “all slaves are free!” Block party from 1pm to 6pm; march event from 6pm to 8pm.
• Juneteenth with Dominique Hammons at Central Cultural Center | Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19 – Close out Juneteenth celebrations with live music, laughter and community in Galveston. Talented violinist Dominique Hammons will perform, along with comedian Liz Faublas-Wallace and poet Angela Hill. $18.65. 8pm to 10:30pm.

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