HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) – Events are taking place across Hampton Roads and northeast North Carolina in celebration of Juneteenth.
The federal holiday takes place on June 19 each year. It commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States.
Virginia
Hampton Roads Transit
On Wednesday, June 19, in honor of the Juneteenth holiday, all HRT fixed route services (bus, light rail and ferry) and paratransit will be free for all passengers.
Chesapeake
Juneteenth Community Cookout 2024
- When: Sunday, June 16 from 12 to 6 p.m.
- Where: Elizabeth River Park, 1400 Elizabeth River Way
- What: Enjoy a day with food, music, games and community. Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission made a children’s tent possible with Juneteenth focused coloring pages and activities. There will be a black business market to support and shop. It will be a creative village highlighting local, community-focused, black artists and brands. There will be free food, music, entertainment and more. The event is free and open to all.
Hampton
City closings
City offices and services will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth Freedom Day.
3rd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest
- When: Sunday, June 16 from noon to 7 p.m.
- Where: Mill Point Park, 100 Eaton Street
- What: It’s a celebration of fathers and families with music, food and community spirit. The event hosted by Celebrate Healthcare invites everyone to come together to “honor our past, celebrate our present and look forward to a brighter future”. It is free and open to the public.
Party on the Plaza: Juneteenth Edition (21+)
- When: Friday, June 21 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Where: Hampton Coliseum
- What: Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with a party on the plaza, brought to you by Community of Change, Inc. and Newport News Councilman John Eley. Listen to music from live DJs all night long playing R&B, southern soul, and old school music. According to the event, it is “a significant initiative aimed at fostering a sense of community, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for adults, and promoting peace and unity within our neighborhoods.” Event is for adults 21 and older. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster. Eley tells WAVY.com all teachers are invited to attend for free, citing their hard work and commitment through out the school year.
Newport News
Juneteenth Raising of the Flag Ceremony
- When: Monday, June 17 beginning at 10 a.m.
- Where: City Hall, 2400 Washington Ave.
- What: All are invited to come together to raise the Juneteenth Flag over City Hall. The ceremony includes the reading of the Mayoral Proclamation by Mayor Phillip Jones and a special presentation by Sylvia Tabb-Lee. The Juneteenth Flag will remain flying at City Hall until sunset on June 19.
Note: The festival will now take place from 4-8 p.m. The time change is in preparation for a heat wave expected to impact our area, according to the city of Newport News.
- When: Saturday, June 22 from 4-8 p.m. (event originally scheduled from noon – 5 p.m.)
- Where: Victory Landing Park, 50 26th St.
- What: Spend the afternoon celebrating African American culture and history at the fourth annual Freedom Festival at Victory Landing Park. Enjoy exciting entertainment by AGO-AME Story Adventures (12:15 p.m.). Other highlights include musical performances by Roberta Lea (1:30 p.m.); Mosaic Steel Orchestra (2:40 p.m.); and Tank and The Bangas (3:15 p.m.). Indulge in delicious foods & beverages; shop handcrafted vendors, visit with informational exhibitors, participate in interactive games, activities, and much more.
City offices in Newport News will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 in observance of the holiday.
Norfolk
City closings
The City of Norfolk’s government offices, including libraries, The Slover and recreation centers, will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 in observance of the holiday. Closures include the Norfolk Courthouse, offices of the Commissioner of the Revenue and City Treasurer. Offices will reopen at regular business hours on June 20.
Waste and recycling will be collected as scheduled. Requests for bulk waste collection for Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 20 must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18. To schedule, you can submit a service request via the MyNorfolk app, online portal at the link here, or call Norfolk Cares at (757) 664-6510.
Street sweeping scheduled on Wednesday, June 19 will be made up on Monday, June 24.
Norfolk Beach lifeguards will be stationed only at Community Beach Park from noon to 6 p.m.
- When: Saturday, June 15 from noon to 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Downtown Norfolk at Town Point Park
- What: The award-winning festival is back for the fourth year. It’s hosted in collaboration with Festevents. All are welcome to enjoy the full-day of fun, activities, performances and more. There will be games, including opportunities to win gift cards. The event is free and open to the public with items available for purchase.
Juneteenth at The Slover
- When: Saturday, June 15 from noon to 5 p.m.
- Where: Slover Library, 235 East Plume Street
- What: The Slover is partnering with Selden Market and Noir Art to commemorate Juneteenth. There will be performances, art, a business expo, children’s activities, a pop-up market, workshops and more. Jayne Thomas will moderate the Emancipation Conversation panel that will explore historical roots and the legacy of the day through generations.
Juneteenth Celebration at Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library
- When: Saturday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Tucker Field, Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library, 2350 Berkley Ave Extension
- What: Celebrate Freedom Day with music, food, performances, activities for all ages, African American vendors and more. There will be performances by Shine Dancers, Shark City Band and Built to Worship Dance Group. The event will also feature speakers on the history of Juneteenth and the Legacy Walk. It is free and open to the public.
Juneteenth Black Business Market
- When: Wednesday, June 19 from noon to 6 p.m.
- Where: The Plot in the NEON District, 776 Granby St.
- What: Celebrate Juneteenth and support Norfolk’s black-owned businesses.
BuyBackTheBlock Juneteenth Festival
- When: Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Where: 1037 W 25th St
- What: Celebrate culture, support black-owned businesses and empower the community at the festival! The day will have music, food, community and celebration. There will be a live DJ and activities for all ages. It is free and open to the public.
Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority: Juneteenth
- When: Wednesday, June 19 from noon to 4 p.m.
- Where: Calvert Square Envision Center, 975 Bagnall Rd.
- What: Celebrate Juneteenth with an opening ceremony and parade, food and drinks, horse rides, raffle giveaways, free health screenings, live music and more. There will also be an activity station and vendors.
Portsmouth
- When: Saturday, June 15 from 1 to 9 p.m.
- Where: Festival Park
- What: The annual event is hosted by the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. They invite everyone to join to celebrate African American Freedom. The event is free and open to all. There will be vendors, food, drinks, live music and entertainment.
- WAVY TV 10 is a proud sponsor of this event.
- The WAVY team will be on-site at the event. Visit with Reporter KaMaria Braye and Anchor Aesia Toliver from 1-3 p.m. and Reporter/Anchor Kiahnna Patterson from 2-5 p.m.
- When: Wednesday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Cradock Skate Park, 4117 George Washington Highway
- What: The 4th annual Juneteenth Jam is presented by Hard Times Skate Shop, Portsmouth’s Park and Recreation Department and other sponsors. This year’s event includes DJ music, a skateboard contest, food trucks, vendors, prizes, giveaways and more. The event is free and open to all.
Smithfield
- When: Wednesday, June 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: The event will be held along various locations on Main Street. Some performances will take place on the Main Street Stage.
- What: All-day long enjoy events, performances, games, food and more right along Main Street. There will be storytellers, choirs, story walks and more. Watch performances including, the Juneteenth Choir, Sounds of Music Drummers, and Turquoise School of Dance. View the full schedule at the link here. The event is free and open to all.
Suffolk
City closings
In observance of the holiday, Suffolk city offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19. Normal city operations will resume on Thursday, June 20 at 8:30 a.m.
Suffolk Transit will operate on a normal schedule. The Southeastern Public Service Authority Transfer Station in Suffolk and the Regional Landfill will be closed.
Suffolk’s four major parks will remain open, but no park attendant will be on duty. The Suffolk Visitor Center will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cypress Park & Pool will be closed. It will reopen on Saturday, June 22 at 2 p.m.
All Suffolk Join Use Recreation Centers will be closed and will reopen on Thursday, June 20 at 6:30 a.m. The East Suffolk Recreation Center, Curtis Milteer Recreation Center and Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center will be closed and reopen on Tuesday, June 20 at 6 a.m. The Suffolk Parks and Recreation Administration Office will be closed and will reopen Tuesday, June 20 at 8:30 a.m.
All Suffolk City libraries will be closed. Morgan Memorial and North Suffolk Libraries will reopen at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 20. The Chuckatuck Library will reopen on Monday, June 24.
The Suffolk Art Gallery will be closed, and will reopen on Thursday, June 20 at 10 a.m.
It’s A Celebration!: A Juneteenth Jamboree
- When: Tuesday, June 18 at 4 to 7 p.m.
- Where: Morgan Memorial Library, 443 W Washington St
- What: This celebration will have food, Juneteenth-inspired crafts, workshops and performances. At 4:15 p.m. there will be an open mic with spoken word artist Marquice Williams. Guests are encouraged to bring their materials and sign up at the link here, Juneteenth Open Mic Sign Up Sheet. At 6:30 p.m. watch and learn the principles of West African Dance with dancer MiKeshia McPhaul. The event is free and open to the public, and all ages.
Virginia Beach
City closings
In observance of Juneteenth, these Virginia Beach facilities will be closed on Wednesday, June 19.
- All Virginia Beach government administrative offices
- All Virginia Beach public libraries including the TCC/City of Virginia Beach Joint-Use Library
- Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
- Sandler Center for the Performing Arts box office and administrative offices
- Virginia Beach Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts and Clerk’s Offices
- Virginia Beach Convention Center
- Virginia Beach Department of Public Health
- Virginia Beach History Museums
- Voter Registrar’s Office
- Waste Management administrative offices, the West Neck Recycling Center and the Landfill and Resource Recovery Center
Residents who normally receive waste collection services on Wednesdays will have their cans serviced on Monday, June 17.
- When: Saturday, June 15 through Sunday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 19
- Where: The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the 24th Street stage and park at the Oceanfront.
- What: The third annual event is presented by T.E.A.M. L.A.M.B. and The L.A.M.B.S. Foundation with support from the City of Virginia Beach. It’s a three-day celebration of African American culture that is centered around music, fashion, art, food, education, and history. Free and open to all. Tickets available for VIP.
- When: Wednesday, June 19 from 7-8:30 p.m.
- Where: Vibrant Shore Brewing Company
- What: Virginia Beach Public Library (VBPL) is hosting this event off-site. Adults can learn about the history of Juneteenth while creating a painting in celebration of the holiday. The event is free and open to all. Supplies are provided for the event. Registration is required.
- When: Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to noon
- Where: ViBe Creative District Outdoor Stage at the ViBe Creative District’s Art & Eco Market
- What: The Virginia Beach Globally Inspired Gatherings (VBGIGs) in the ViBe celebrating Juneteenth is free and open to all. It will feature performers from the Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC), in honor of Juneteenth week.
Jubilant Juneteenth Eve Storytelling and Puppet Show
- When: Tuesday, June 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)
- Where: Virginia Beach Central Library Main Auditorium (4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.)
- What: This event is free and open to the public, but you must register online at this link to receive your free tickets. Each ticket includes admission to an original stage play and puppet show, pizza meal to go, a certificate and a souvenir necklace. The Jubilant Juneteenth Eve Show is funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission. This is a multicultural celebration. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to wear attire that reflects their heritage.
York County
3rd annual Juneteenth celebration
- When: Saturday, June 15 from 3 to 8 p.m.
- Where: McReynolds Athletic Complex, 412 Sports Way
- What: Celebrate at the third annual event with children’s activities, a bounce house, community groups, guest speakers, music, food trucks and free popcorn. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chair and blankets to sit. The band Slapnation will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Stick around for Movies in the Park after the event. The event is free and open to the public.
Williamsburg
At Jamestown Settlement, museum admission will be free on Wednesday, June 19 on the official Juneteenth holiday.
Prelude to Juneteenth: Emancipation on the Virginia Peninsula
- When: Sunday, June 16 at 3 p.m.
- Where: Jamestown Settlement
- What: According to the event, “there will be thought-provoking history and performances exploring the precarious nature of freedom from 17th-century Jamestown to Juneteenth.” Performances feature, Shalandis Wheeler Smith, Dale Heiskill, Sylvia Tabb Lee & the Rejoicing Singers, Brandon Lee and Valarie Gray Holmes. Admission to the program is free for all. Registration is encouraged.
North Carolina
Elizabeth City
Juneteenth Celebration Business After Hours
- When: June 14 at 5 to 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Arts of the Albemarle, 516 E Main St
- What: Join for a Business After Hours to celebrate Juneteenth!
- When/where: On June 15, the main celebration is hosted at Waterfront Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 16, a prayer breakfast is set to take place at Cornerstone Church.
- What: The event includes a DJ and several musical performances as well as a speaker. For families, there will also be face painting, bounce houses, games, painting, vendors and a pageant. The event says there will be free food. It is free and open to all.