It’s been two years since Juneteenth became recognized as a federal holiday. And since then, we’ve seen Baltimore organizations become more intentional about how they commemorate June 19—the date in 1865 when the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation effectively freed hundreds of thousands of slaves living in large parts of Texas. For starters, AFRAM, one of the largest African-American festivals on the East Coast, moved up its date to overlap with Juneteenth weekend last year—and it will continue that tradition when it returns to Druid Hill Park June 17-18. (See more below.) Other local celebrations—which typically highlight parades, parties, and red-hued foods to symbolize resilience and joy—have evolved to include art exhibits, live concerts, culinary experiences, and even beer tastings.
Below are some of the many freedom-honoring events happening around town throughout the weekend.
6/15: Juneteenth: Honoring Food, Traditions, and Histories
Chefs and food culture experts David and Tonya Thomas of H3irloom Food Group will host this Juneteenth lecture at The Walters Art Museum. Register to hear them discuss their own food-centric roots, along with their joint efforts to examine the culinary history of the African diaspora.
6/16: Juneteenth Celebration at Max’s Taphouse with Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company
The team at Max’s has joined forces with Liquid Intrusion, Prince George’s County’s first Black-owned brewery, in honor of the holiday. Head to the Fells Point taproom to get to know husband-and-wife owners Andrew and Jasmine Dill while sampling blends such as “The African Queen and her 7 C’s,” a pale ale with notes of tropical citrus.
6/17-18: AFRAM
The Druid Hill Park celebration will once again enliven Juneteenth weekend with a rich display of Black arts and culture. More than 200,000 attendees are expected to pack the park to enjoy local eats, shop scratch-made goods, and groove to well-known headliners like Tamar Braxton, Ty Dolla $ign, The Isley Brothers, and Tim Bowman Jr. throughout the two-day festival.
6/17: Jazz on the Rails: A Juneteenth Celebration
This inaugural bash at South Baltimore’s B&O Railroad Museum will fuse live jazz performances with the museum’s permanent exhibit The Underground Railroad: Freedom Seekers on the B&O Railroad. Wander around the showcase to learn about historic figures, like abolitionist Henry “Box” Brown, while listening to fitting tunes such as Count Basie’s “9:20 Special” and Duke Ellington’s “Daybreak Express.” The entire event is meant to honor the frontline contributions of rail and transit workers past and present.
6/17: Juneteenth Celebration at R. House
Local Black-owned businesses including Harp Vision, Pandora’s Box Boutique and She Fit Lifestyle Fitness Studio will be hanging out at R. House in Remington from 1-6 p.m. While supporting local, enjoy themed food and drink specials from vendors and get down to live music by DJ Clutch.
6/17: Juneteenth at the Academy Art Museum
For Easton locals, or those who find themselves on the Eastern Shore this weekend, this event will feature a jam-packed lineup of programming that includes live music, food from Maryland barbecue vendors, pick-up games of basketball (as an ode to The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball’s Forgotten Era by Claude Johnson,) and an archaeological presentation of artifacts found on land once owned by James and Henny Freeman—the earliest documented free Black landowning family in Easton,
6/18: Juneteenth at Coldstream Homestead Montebello
In Northeast Baltimore, this Juneteenth bash on the Alameda near City College High School is slated to offer free grub, live music spun by DJ Wink, community resources, fun family activities, and local art.
6/19: Juneteenth Celebration: Envisioning a New Future, at Reginald F. Lewis Museum
The Inner Harbor museum will offer free admission and tons of activities Monday in observance of Juneteenth. Visit the local institution to take in student artwork, make a time capsule with kids’ performer Culture Queen, and enjoy a live performance by the Benny Russell Big Band joined by local actor Keith Snipes. Dr. Daniel J. Broyld of University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Angela T. Tate of the National Museum of African American History & Culture will also make an appearance to discuss how 19th-century freedom activists envisioned Black prosperity.
6/19: Juneteenth Celebration at Sandlot
Area favorite DJ Flava will spin the soundtrack to this Harbor Point get-together. Scarf short rib sliders, wings, barbeque chicken, and delicious sides while shopping goods from local Black-owned businesses. Admission includes two drink tickets that will be redeemable for beachy cocktails, wine, and beer.
6/19: Juneteenth Freedom Walk
The Canton Anti-Racism Alliance is welcoming Dr. Raymond Bahr, creator of the Canton History Project, to lead this neighborhood excursion. Along the one-mile route—which will step off from the Frederick Douglass History Panels on Boston Street and end at Douglass’ historical marker near Sprouts Market—read, reflect, and celebrate freedom. The event will conclude with a chat and coffee at DiPasquale’s.
6/19: Juneteenth at Magdelena
In honor of the holiday, some of the city’s best Black culinary talents have partnered to prepare a feast at Magdalena in Mt. Vernon. Make a reservation to sample dishes from Magdalena chef Scott Bacon, as well as Amanda Mack of Crust by Mack, Durian Neal of Loving Spoon, and Malcolm Sizer of The Urban Oyster. Menu highlights will include Sizer’s marinated Chesapeake oyster with a berbere spice rim and red stripe reduction, as well as Mack’s watermelon-seeded chocolate bundt cake. While visiting, check out The Ivy’s featured artist gallery and hear live sounds by Black Assets & Company in Magdalena’s courtyard.