New Jersey's Juneteenth: A Guide to Local Celebrations: 2025 Edition

Juneteenth commemorates the anniversary of the 1865 emancipation of the last group of enslaved people in the United States—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, delivering the long-awaited news of freedom.

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated across the country, including events throughout New Jersey. Originally marked by family gatherings, barbecues, and parties honoring freedom, the holiday earned its name by blending "June" and "nineteenth." It is also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.

Observed annually on June 19, Juneteenth stands as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Historical Juneteenth Events to Attend in New Jersey

Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.

Best Juneteenth events - Northern Jersey

Listed by earliest date:

Bloomfield Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 14, 2025;12pm - 7pm
Bloomfield Center
Washington St & Glenwood Ave.
Bloomfield, NJ
Free event
This family celebration features a day of history, culture, and community! Live Entertainment Delicious Food Vendors Family-Friendly Activities Local Artists & Historians This event honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. while celebrating the rich cultural contributions, resilience, and achievements of Black people throughout history.

Union Twp Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 14th, 2025: from 12pm to 6pm
Biretumfpel Park
Union, NJ
This family event features a day of community celebration, great music, food, art, and vendors.

Morristown Juneteenth Arts Celebration
June 18, 19, 20, 2025
3 venues: Mayo Performing Arts Center, Art in the Atrium, and the Morris Museum
Morristown, NJ
Free admission
This event celebrates the African American community and provides the public access to local artists, food, dance, music, and other festivities at major cultural venues in Morristown and Morris Township.
The celebration begins with an outdoor concert at the Vail Mansion Lawn on Thursday. The arts celebration continues at the Atrium Gallery with a public reception for Another Slice of Sweet Potato Pie. The festivities culminate with a free celebration hosted by the Morris Museum on Friday, featuring art, performances and music. This special event includes a screening of a documentary short film about New Jersey artist Danielle Scott, curator-led tours of new exhibitions including Troy Jones, special access to the Spark!Lab for families, and a performance by crowd favorite Unity Steppers.

Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration
Friday, June 20, 2025: 6:30?PM   7:30?PM
Flood’s Hill
South Orange, NJ
Features an evening of live music, powerful readings, delicious food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks display as they honor freedom, history, and community.

Atarodo Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 21, 2025
1016 Broad St
Newark, NJ
Get ready for a day filled with music, food, and fun as they commemorate Juneteenth together. There will be Afro-Lofi Musi, good food , zobo drinks , soda, and community.
The food will feature Nigerian dishes - Jollof Rice, Fried Rice , Chicken , Meat pie , Egusi soup , Efo-riro ( Spinach soup) , and fufu.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to come together and honor the history and culture of the Black community.

Friends of the Howe House Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 21st, 2025; 12-5pm
Nishuane Park
Cedar Avenue between High Street and Harrison Avenue
Montclair, NJ
This event features vibrant day of celebration, culture in honor of freedom, heritage, and resilience. Enjoy an exciting lineup of: Live Performances Delicious Food Vendors Kids' Activities & Family Fun Local Artisans & Community Resources

Best Juneteenth events - Central Jersey

Listed by earliest date:

Freehold Juneteenth Celebration
Sunday, June 8th, 2025; 12 pm - 4pm
Between Court St and Throckmorton St.
Downtown Freehold, NJ
This event features a celebration with music, food, games, and more. Live entertainment by Valerie Adams and the Dimension Band.

NAACP Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
Saturday, June 14th, 2025
Minnie B. Veal Community Center
1070 Grove Avenue
Edison, NJ
Free Event
This family event features a day filled with joy, reflection, and unity. The event will include:
A lineup of sensational live performances, hosted by WBLS Radio Personality Dr. Bob Lee, showcasing the rich diversity of African American culture. Music by DJ Sequence, Food, Children's Zone, Health & Wellness area, Basketball Tournament, and more with vendor booths, educational exhibits, and interactive experiences.

Count Basie Center Community Juneteenth Celebration
Wednesday, June 18, 2025: 5:30PM – 7PM
The Vogel, Basie Center Campus
• 99 Monmouth Street
Red Bank, NJ
Cost: Suggested donation $10
This celebration features drumming, poetry and a performance from the award-winning Count Basie Center Gospel Choir. Plus, choir leader Gwen Moten's life story, the theatrical presentation From Birmingham To Botswana, will close out the evening's festivities. T. Thomas Fortune Center executive director Gilda Rogers will also be on hand, to give remarks about the Fortune's legacy. Following the celebration, attendees will be invited to walk in unison to Red Bank's beautiful Marine Park to enjoy a free, community performance from the New Jersey Symphony. FacebookTwitterShare

New Brunswick Juneteenth Community Celebration and Flag Raising Ceremony
Thursday,June 19th, 2025: 4 to 6 pm
11 Livingston Ave,
New Brunswick, NJ
This celebration features live percussion music, face painting, caricatures, and traditional dances.

Juneteenth Family Arts & Cultural Festival
Saturday, June 21, 2025: 12PM
Springwood Avenue Park
Springwood Avenue,
Asbury Park, NJ
Free Event
The family event features a day of joy, connection and celebration.
Its a vibrant gathering for all ages at the Juneteenth Family Arts & Cultural Festival! Discover dozens of Black-owned businesses, connect with over 20 service agencies and enjoy live performances that showcase the heart and soul of our community. A highlight will be performances by the Inspire Life Creators Lab Band, a dynamic group of young musicians (ages 10–15) mentored by Grammy®-nominated artist Akene Dunkley.

PNC Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 21, 2025:2pm to 10pm
PNC Bank Arts Center
Holmdel, NJ
An event with top performers Larry June, MIKE, Honey Bxby, Showcase, Flygerian highlighting a celebration on the rich culture, business and talent that resides in New Jersey.

SSAAM Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 21, 2025: 12 noon - 4pm (rain or shine)
Mt. Zion AME Church and Reasoner/True House
189 Hollow Road
Skillman, NJ
This Juneteenth celebration is a family friendly event that aims to educate, celebrate, and promote unity and cohesion within our culturally diverse community. Hosted by the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) —central New Jersey's only Black history museum the event will feature live Gospel music, original plays, fun interactive games, and mouthwatering cuisine, including vegan options. The day will also feature activities in our Heritage Garden and tours of the grounds.

Best Juneteenth events - South Jersey

Listed by earliest date:

NAACP Willingboro & Vicinity Juneteenth Brunch
Saturday, June 7, 2025: 11am-3pm
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille
1383 Monmouth Road
Eastampton Township, NJ 
Cost: Adult $75. Child (Age 3-10) $50
Connect with community, friends and neighbors while supporting this NAACP fundraiser. Enjoy brunch cocktails and an awesome brunch buffet.
This event will be an opportunity to connect with the community and support a worthy cause. Come hungry and ready to enjoy a wonderful brunch experience with friends and neighbors.
This fundraiser event benefits the Willingboro & Vicinty NAACP Branch is known for its commitment to youth and their annual Scholarship Fund.

Mount Laurel Community Juneteenth Celebration
Thursday, June 19, 2025: 4pm - 7pm
Laurel Acres Park
1045 S Church St
Mount Laurel, NJ
Cost: Free admission
This celebration features day filled with cultural performances, live music, food trucks, beer, educational exhibits, activities for the kids and more.. Experience the spirit of Juneteenth as they come together to honor African American history and heritage through music, dance, and celebration. This event is open to all and promises to be a day of unity, reflection, and joy.

Cherry Hill Juneteenth Parade and Festival
Saturday, June 21, 2025; 10am-3pm
Croft Farm
100 Bortons Mill Road
Cherry Hill, NJ
This vibrant celebration commemorates June 19, 1865—the day enslaved Americans received word of their freedom in Galveston, Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This year's event promises an exciting day filled with live music, performances, vendors, food trucks, family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo. Bring your family and friends to honor this historic occasion and celebrate African Americans' vibrant culture and history.

Gloucester Township Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 21, 2025: 1pm-4pm; Rain Date June 22nd.
Veterans’ Park
Gloucester, Twp, NJ
This family celebration features a day of culture and community with local businesses, a cultural marketplace, delicious food, live music, youth activities, and plenty of entertainment for everyone!

Glassboro's Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 28, 2025, @2 pm - 8 pm
Glassboro Sports Complex
230 Wilmer St
Glassboro, NJ
Cost: Free admission
This event features a day of community & unity! Guests will be entertained with live entertainment such as music, dance, poetry and more! Kids activities include bounce houses, obstacle course, games, and more. All attendees will have the opportunity to shop from our wide selection of black owned businesses who will be vendors at this annual event. Bring your lawn chairs, bring the family, and bring the love—this celebration is for everyone.

Juneteenth: A celebration of freedom
The Camden County Historical Society .
Saturday, June 21, 2025: 2 PM to 8 PM
1900 Park Blvd.
Camden, New Jersey
Admissions to the museum will be free from 2 to 4 PM for self guided tour.
This event features a marketplace featuring local owned businesses and organizations.
The voices Poets and storytellers will echo throughout the day. Drumming, dance performances, a line dance or two and Art by Terrell Maurice will fill the space.
The highlight of the day will be a ticketed Gathering Dinner, starting at 4 pm. Chefs Larry and Steven Washington are curating a feast showcasing the historic flavors of Juneteenth’s freedom.

Willingboro Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 21, 2025: Noon-4 p.m. (Rain or Shine)
Millcreek Park
Beverly Rancocas Road and Pageant Lane
Willingboro, NJ
This celebration features an educational and entertaining experience with music, food trucks, vendors, African dance, spoken word performances, freedom trail walk, and more.

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