New Jersey's Juneteenth: A Guide to Local Celebrations

Juneteenth celebrates the anniversary of the 1865 emancipation of the last group of enslaved people, who were in Texas, 2.5 years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

On this day General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas informing the last group of enslaved people that they were freed. Here are events around New Jersey to mark the date:

Known fondly as Juneteenth, it segued into annual at-home barbecues and parties honoring freedom. Juneteenth, blending "June" with "nineteenth," is also colloquially referred to as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.

Each year, Juneteenth will take place on June 19th. As we continue to recognize and celebrate this significant date in our nation’s history, it serves as a poignant reminder of the struggle for freedom and the triumph 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:

4th Annual Juneteenth Arts Festival
Saturday, June 15, 2024; 12 PM - 6:00 PM
Rabkin Park
1 Swanstrom Pl East
East Union, NJ 07083
Free Admission
Celebrate Juneteenth with Live Music, performances, vendors, family fun, and more!
Free Parking available.

Summit Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 21, 2024; 5pm - 9pm
Village Green
356 Broad Street
Summit, NJ
Fraa Admission
This event features a performance of the black national anthem, a flag raising for the Juneteenth and Pan-African flags, a black-owned vendor and display fair, a live DJ; spoken word, musical, and dance performances; and a gallery of posters highlighting figures of black excellence in Summit.

Bayonne Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 22, 2024; Noon - 5pm (rain or shine)
G. Thomas DiDomenico Park
16th Street and Avenue A lower level
Bayonne, NJ
This event feaures day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States filled with music, food, and fun. Celebrate freedom and unity with live performances, delicious food vendors, and activities for all ages.

Juneteenth Heritage Weekend
Saturday, June 22, 2024; 10:30am - 1pm
The Westwood
438 North Avenue
Garwood, NJ
Event cost: $65
This event features a day filled with cultural celebrations, music, food, and fun, honoring and celebrating African American heritage. This is a great opportunity to learn about the history and significance of Juneteenth while recognizing local legends and enjoying delicious food.

Best Juneteenth events - Central Jersey

Listed by earliest date:

Edison Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
Saturday, June 8, 2024; 12 - 7pm
Edison Job Corps Center
500 Plainfield Avenue
Edison, NJ
Free admission
This event features one of New Jersey's largest celebrations of freedom and culture with music, food, games, kids activities, and more. This year the legendary Dr. Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," will kick off the festivities.

Freehold Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Day
Sunday, June 9th, 2024; 12 pm - 4pm
Between Court St and Throckmorton St.
Downtown Freehold, NJ
This event features a celebration with music, food, games, and more.

SSAAM Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 15, 2024: 12 noon - 4pm (rain or shine)
Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum
189 Hollow Road
Skillman, NJ
Cost: $15-$30
This Juneteenth celebration is a family friendly event that aims to educate, celebrate, and promote unity and cohesion within our culturally diverse community.
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.

PNC Bank Juneteenth NJ Festival
Sunday, June 16, 2024; noon to 9pm
PNC Bank Arts Center
Holmdel, NJ
This event features a celebration with music, food, and fun. This in-person event will showcase the rich history and culture of Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Red Bank Juneteenth Celebration
Sunday, June 16, 2024: 1 pm - 4 pm
Johnny Jazz Park
270 Shrewsbury Avenue
Red Bank, NJ
Cost: Free admission
This event will feature food trucks, live music, guest speakers, and more.

The Princeton Festival Juneteenth Community Celebration
Wednesday, June 19th, 2024;4pm - 7pm
Morven Museum and Garden
55 Stockton Street
Princeton, NJ
This celebration with community partners features history, crafts, food, and fun. The "Let Freedom Ring Booth" will participate in a Juneteenth interactive oral history project, and stay for the concert celebrating the rich history of black choral music in America.

Mercer County Juneteenth Black Business Expo
Saturday, June 22, 2024; 10 to 3 PM
The Conference Center Inside the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness
3100 Quakerbridge Road
Hamilton, NJ
Cost: Free and open to the public
This family friendly event provides diverse people from all backgrounds the opportunity to experience and learn about Black-owned businesses in the Mercer County area, as well as discover the hidden jewels in the community.
There will be Shopping Food (while supplies last) Live DJ, Prizes and Giveaways

Red and Black on the Green - Juneteenth Black-Tie Cocktail Gala
Sunday, June 23, 2024; 5pm - 9pm (Rain or shine with indoor space available)
Bella Vista Country Club
100 School Road
Marlboro, NJ
Cost: $125 -$150
This event features an outdoor cocktail reception party on the beautiful grounds of a golf course. A night of sophistication and glamour with live music, dining and dancing. One hour open bar included with a full menu of passed hors d' oeuvres, buffett stations, carving station and assorted desserts.

Best Juneteenth events - Southern Jersey

Listed by earliest date:
Burlington Freedom Day: A Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday & Sunday, June 15th, 16th, 2024:from 2pm to 7 pm
Burlington Riverfront Promenade
Riverfront and High Street
Burlington, NJ
Cost: Free admission
The kick-off event will be held on Saturday with great music, food, vendors, and our Kid's Zone that includes Free lunch as well as Free crafts, games, and activities for all of the children.
Feel free to bring your blankets and chairs so that you can lounge on the lawn and enjoy all that the day has to offer.

Glassboro Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 15, 2024, @12 pm - 6 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.

Willingboro Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 15, 2024: 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.

Camden Juneteenth Celebration
Sunday, June 16, 2024; 2pm-8pm
Farnham Park
1648 Baird Avenue
Camden, NJ
Featuring live entertainment, vendors, food, fun and much more!

Mount Laurel Community Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 22, 2024: 11am to 3 PM
The Spot
3111 rt. 38
Mount Laurel, NJ
Cost: Free admission
This celebration features day filled with cultural performances, delicious food, captivating entertainment, and shopping opportunities with local vendors. 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.

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