Juneteenth cookouts, parades, festivals, arts and more happening across Hampton Roads

NORFOLK, Va. — Juneteenth is here; a holiday in the United States to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. 

Americans across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively new national holiday with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War.

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The holiday marks the date when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free — which occurred June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers told enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, news of their freedom.

While the holiday itself is Wednesday, June 19, there will be several events across Hampton Roads before, during and after. 

Here's a look at some of the events going on this weekend and beyond. Click links for more information on the organizations' sites. The majority of the events are free and open to the public.

Newport News

•  Juneteenth Raising of the Flag Ceremony - Monday, June 17 @ 10 a.m.
  • The community is invited to raise the Juneteenth Flag over City Hall. The flag will remain flying until sunset on June 19.
• Juneteenth Freedom Festival - Saturday, June 22 @ 12 to 5 p.m.
  • The 4th annual Freedom Festival at Victory Landing Park will feature entertainment, musical performances, food, drinks vendors and more.

Norfolk

• NRHA Celebrates Juneteenth 2024 - Wednesday, June 19 @ 12 to 4 p.m.
  • The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is celebrating Juneteenth at Calvert Square Envision Center on Bagnall Road with a drum line parade led by Norfolk Councilman John Paige followed by activities, horseback riding, live music, food and more.
• Juneteenth in the Park - Saturday, June 15 @ Noon to 6:30 p.m.
  • Come out to Town Point Park and enjoy food, music, career development opportunities, painting, arts and crafts on this day of freedom.

• Juneteenth Parade - Saturday, June 15 @ 9 a.m. 
  • The Stop the Violence Team including Chairman Bilal Muhammed are lining up at 1619 Vernon Drive and walking to the Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library in honor of Juneteenth. 

• Glass After Dark: Juneteenth Celebration at the Chrysler Museum - Thursday, June 20 @ 8 to 10 p.m.
  • Experience the work of glass artist Adeye Jean-Baptiste with music provided by punk band, Rubber Dagger. "Hot glass and live music come together for memorable evenings during Glass After Dark."
  • $10 for Museum members, $20 for non-members. Tickets increase by $10 at the door.

Hampton

• 3rd Annual Juneteenth Freedomfest - Sunday, June 16 @ 12 to 7 p.m.
  • Celebrate Juneteenth with the Hampton community at Millpoint Park with arts, entertainment, health screenings, games, family resources and more. You can hear from special guest hosts like 13News Now's own Eugene Daniel.
• Juneteenth Edition Party on the Plaza - Friday, June 21 @ 6 p.m.
  • A night of R&B, Southern Soul and Old School music with DJs at the Hampton Coliseum. Tickets start at $25.
    

Portsmouth

• 2nd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration - Saturday, June 15 @ 1 to 9 p.m.
  • Experience a celebration of Juneteenth at Festival Park with the Urban League of Hampton Roads. The celebration will feature live music, food trucks, showcases of black-owned businesses and a special Juneteenth VA Historical presentation. 

Virginia Beach

• Juneteenth at the Beach - June 15, 16, and 19 @ varying times.
  • A three-day festival at the 24th Street Stage and Park at the Oceanfront. There will be a parade, car show, fashion show, block party, and so much more.
• The ViBe Celebrating Juneteenth - June 15 @ 9 a.m. to noon
  • Enjoy a free concert at the ViBe Creative District Outdoor Stage commemorating Juneteenth, featuring performers from the Virginia African American Culter Center.

Suffolk 

• Juneteenth Jamboree - Tuesday, June 18 @ 4 to 7 p.m.
  • Celebrate Juneteenth at the Morgan Memorial Library with poems, songs, spoken word, and West African dancing.

Chesapeake

• Juneteenth Community Cookout - Tuesday, June 18 @ 12 to 6 p.m.
  • Celebrate the holiday with the Chesapeake Community with food, music, games and community. There will be a creative village of black artists and brands and a black business market. There will also be DJs courtesy of iHeart Media.