When Juneteenth became officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, it marked a pivotal moment in African American and American history. Although Juneteenth (June 19) is the longest-running African American holiday, its national observance sparked a new opportunity for education, celebration and dialogue.
See a list of more events here.
History of Juneteenth
Known as African American Independence Day, Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation proclaimed the freedom of more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans on Jan. 1, 1863, it took over two years for word to spread to all enslaved people. In fact, some enslavers deliberately withheld news about freedom to maintain labor on the plantation, waiting until harvest season was over. This was the case for many slave owners in Texas–a state that hadn’t experienced a significant presence of Union troops and was considered a safe haven for slavery.
On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to spread the news, take control and ensure that the remaining 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were freed. The following year, Texas freedmen started the first “Jubilee Day” celebration on June 19. The tradition has continued, influencing commemorations that include music, food and religious services and, more recently, festivals, rallies, memorials and parades.
How to Celebrate
There are many ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Norfolk this year, including a conference on racial equity and social transformation, film event or Festevents’ annual Juneteenth in the Park! Here are some ways to commemorate this history and holiday.
Juneteenth Kickoff: Founding Father Reception and Fireside Chat
June 14, 2026
Location: TBD
This event sparks a critical dialogue between community leaders and founders about what it means bring something into the world and who gets to own it. Featuring award winning actor Brian Terrell Clark who was cast as George Washington in the Broadway Musical Production, Hamilton, this discussion will invite the audience to reimagine their story and how they tell it. Hamilton Karaoke to follow.
Remembering Juneteenth Fun Day
June 15, 2026
Jordan-Newby Library
Held at the Jordan-Newby Anchor Branch Library at Broad Creek at 3 p.m., this is an in-person event packed with music, food, and activities that bring us together to remember and honor this important day. Bring your friends, family, and your best smile—let’s make some awesome memories!
Juneteenth Read-In
June 17, 2026
Blyden BRanch Library
From 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., the Blyden Branch Library at 879 E. Princess Anne Road Norfolk, VA 23504 will hold a read-in. Free entry.
Juneteenth Celebration at Jordan-Newby
June 18, 2026
Richard Tucker Library
Norfolk Public Library’s Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library (2350 Berkley Ave. EXT) will host its fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 20, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Celebrate Freedom Day with music, food and all-day entertainment featuring the TFC Band, MLC Project, Becky Livas, cultural exhibits, Buffalo Soldiers, youth activities and much more. Stop the Violence’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Parade kicks off the day of celebration, stepping off at 10 a.m. at the Diggs Town Rental Office (1619 Vernon Dr.) and ending at Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library. NPL will also host several Juneteenth programs on June 17 and 18.
Juneteenth Norfolk Celebrations
June 19-21, 2026
TOWN POINT PARK
Join us for Juneteenth Norfolk, a celebration of unity, freedom, and empowerment for all! This vibrant festival honors the achievements of African American communities with live performances from national and regional acts, a spectacular fireworks show, delicious food, and community events. Come together for a day of education, reflection, and celebration of culture and heritage. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience for everyone! Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Friday night and performances over the weekend by Patti LaBelle, Sister Sledge and Roberta Lea.
New Hope 2026 Juneteenth & America 250 Community Festival
June 19, 2026
Brest Ave.
New Hope is hosting a community festival block party on June 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., coinciding with Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The event, themed “Honoring Our Past, Building a Culture and a Healthier Future,” aims to foster unity by bringing diverse community members together. It will focus on American history reflection, African American resilience celebration and promoting physical and spiritual well-being through music, food and health and cultural awareness activities.
Juneteenth Free Fare on HRT
June 19, 2026
On the Juneteenth holiday, all Hampton roads transit fixed route services (bus, light rail, ferry) and paratransit will be free for passengers.
Juneteenth 2026 Jubilee
June 19, 2026
Eleanor’s NFK
Join us on Juneteenth from 5 to 8 p.m. to celebrate Black resistance, freedom, and resilience. Together, we will explore the deep roots of resistance and freedom in Norfolk’s rich past, resilient present, and hopeful future. Using archival materials, we will tell a story of freedom and the grassroots efforts that made it possible, while building community through games, raffles, food, and laughter.
Sally & Tom
June 19, 2026
Wells Theatre
Virginia Stage Company will present a free staged reading of Sally & Tom by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks on Friday, June 19 at 2:00 PM at the historic Wells Theatre in downtown Norfolk. Presented in observance of Juneteenth, the reading offers Hampton Roads audiences an opportunity to experience one of the most acclaimed contemporary works from one of America’s foremost playwrights. In Sally & Tom, The Good Company, a scrappy self-produced off-off-off Broadway theatre company, is rehearsing its next big show: a play about Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. Writer Luce is playing Sally; her partner in romance and art, Mike, is both directing the production and playing Tom. As the company grapples with the challenges of bringing history to the stage, Parks explores the complicated intersections of art, power, race, and American history.
A Juneteenth Celebration at Selden Market
June 19-21, 2026
Selden Market
A three-day celebration of creativity, music, and community featuring an art exhibition, creative vendor marketplace, live performances, panels, open mic, DJs, and community activations.
Location: Selden Market | 208 E Main Street | Downtown Norfolk
Date: June 19–21
Friday, June 19th: 12PM-11PM
Opening night of the Exodus art exhibit curated by Jordan Dunman and produced by Traptastic featuring work by Hampton Boyer, Doris Hawkins, Dathan Kane, Earl Mack, Rain Spann, Marcus Thornton and Charles Walbrook. The exhibition opens at noon and the opening night’s celebration begins at 6pm.
Saturday, June 20th: 12PM-5PM
A celebration of black-owned creatives and businesses produced by The Locker Room, featuring DJs, a panel discussion and business marketplace.
Sunday, June 21st: 12PM-5PM
Community Day + Open Mic: featuring live band, Fortresses.
Resource Inc: A Juneteenth Community Festival & Norfolk 250 Celebration
June 20, 2026
Transformed LLC Salon
From noon to 4 p.m., attendees will experience cultural performances and speakers from within the community, along with access to valuable resources and educational materials. Free light refreshments, basic grooming services (limited time), hygiene kits, informational giveaways, and community resource connections will be provided to support individuals and families beyond the event.
This experience is designed to honor the spirit of Juneteenth by celebrating freedom while actively investing in the growth, confidence, and well-being of the Norfolk community as we celebrate the 250th anniversary.
This event brings together culture and service by offering complimentary grooming services, workforce readiness support, and educational information on hygiene, confidence, job prep and personal development.
Juneteenth Freedom Block Party
June 20, 2026
ACDC Campus
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., join ACDC for a FREE, all-ages Juneteenth Freedom Block Party produced in partnership with the City of Norfolk. The event celebrates African American freedom and America’s 250th anniversary through African cultural dance performances, a Black history educator, an intergenerational storytelling circle, a veteran’s honor recognition, a community cookout, youth activities, face painting, a bounce house, a Freedom Wall, and featured community speakers. All programming is free and open to every Norfolk resident.
Black Music & Art Celebration
June 20, 2026
Attucks Theatre
Beginning at noon, experience an unforgettable afternoon at the Black Music & Art Celebration. Witness a legendary conversation between MadSkillz, the Grammy-winning rapper, wordsmith, and torchbearer for Hip-Hop culture, with Torae, songwriter and co-chair of the Black Music Collective. Feel the energy of live performances from the Bobby Blackhat Band, Hot Gumbo Brass Band, Shark City Drum and Dance Corp, Leviticus Gospel Choir, and FORTRESSES Band. Hear from Teens With a Purpose’s newly named Youth Poet Laureates, engage in Music & The Movement with Delegate Jackie Glass, and meet artists from the “Rhythm of the Stage” exhibition in a special conversation with curator Nyree Dowdy, podcaster Kayda Plus, and artist Briana Ariel. Go behind the scenes of today’s music industry with Creatives for Virginia, and explore artwork that reflects the depth, creativity, and influence of Black culture.
Poplar Hall Juneteenth Reunion!
June 20-21, 2026
Poplar Hall Park
11:00 a.m. – Sunset
Join the Poplar Halls Civic League for our Poplar Hall Juneteenth Reunion Cookout, a celebration of freedom, family, and fathers designed to strengthen connections across generations. For more than 20 years, our civic league has worked to build a welcoming and engaged community through parades, bike rides, cleanups, movie nights, and other neighborhood traditions. This year’s Juneteenth event continues that legacy by bringing residents together for a meaningful, uplifting celebration that highlights the spirit and unity of Poplar Halls. Led by a dedicated team of civic league members, partners, and volunteers, we look forward to delivering a memorable experience for all who call Poplar Halls home.
Coronado Inglenook Neighborhood Juneteenth Celebration
June 20, 2026
Coronado School Grounds
A neighborhood celebration of the history of this area and notable African Americans who have a connection to the neighborhood and have contributed to its ” hard worker(s)” origins.
Juneteenth Your Way: Self-Guided Explorations and Activities
With any holiday, individuals, families and communities commemorate in ways that feel special to them. Here are some additional ideas to begin your own Juneteenth traditions.
TAKE A SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF WATERWAYS TO FREEDOM
With its complex and interwoven waterways, Virginia provided a starting point for thousands of individuals to escape slavery. Fugitive slaves would depart on wharves, steamships and schooners and be assisted by safe houses (especially churches and neighborhoods) on their journey to northern states and Canada. Take a self-guided tour of Underground Railroad Sites in Norfolk and Portsmouth and learn the history of the people and places that made it possible to escape–and the many dangerous obstacles that stood in the way.
VISIT WEST POINT MONUMENT AT WEST POINT CEMETERY
West Point Monument was dedicated as a special place of burial for African American Union Civil War and Spanish American War veterans. It is one of only a few African American Civil War Memorials located in the South. The Civil War soldier depicted on the monument is Norfolk native Sergeant William H. Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. Carney was the first black soldier to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery. Nearly 100 African American veterans are laid to rest in the West Point Cemetery. West Point Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 and is now commemorated with a historical highway marker along Princess Anne Road.
SUPPORT A LOCAL BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS
The city of Norfolk would not be the creative, diverse and vibrant community that it is without the endless contributions made by African American residents and business owners. From scrumptious soul food to self-care sanctuaries, we celebrate these businesses within our city and encourage you to visit their establishments as you celebrate Juneteenth–but especially all year long.
