LIST | Ways you can celebrate Juneteenth in central and eastern NC

Juneteenth is an annual commemoration of the end of slavery for all in the United States.

As the country prepares to celebrate, several events are planned in our area to honor the occasion.

ABC11 is proud to sponsor the 2023 Juneteenth Jubilee in Downtown Fayetteville on June 17-18. The event will be a cultural celebration featuring nationally touring headliners, local performances, food, art, and activities for all ages.

Also, on June 17, DeJuan Hoggard will serve as Grand Marshal for the Bull City Juneteenth Parade in Durham. The parade is presented by the Victor Company, a Raleigh-based volunteer fire department established in 1870 by formerly enslaved people. The parade kicks off at 10 am on Fayetteville Street in front of North Carolina Central University.

Below is a list of other FREE Juneteenth events around central and eastern North Carolina:

Raleigh

June 12 - 16: Juneteenth Jubilee at John Chavis Memorial Park

This is a week-long celebration of events honoring African-American culture through history, arts, and more. Check the link for the times and dates of each event.

June 16: Juneteenth Celebration at the NC Museum of History, Noon - 4 p.m.

Meet the members of the Battery B Second Regiment, United States Colored Troops, and Light Artillery Reenactors. Discover the legacy of the USCT in the struggle for freedom and citizenship during the American Civil War.

June 17: Capital City Juneteenth Celebration, 1 p.m - 6 p.m.

Beginning with a cannon salute by US Colored Troops reenactors, this family day at the park includes musical performances, vendors, speakers, exhibits, and a kids' zone. Dorothea Dix Park - Harvey Hill & All Faiths Chapel

June 17: Raleigh Juneteenth Festival, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

A celebration of freedom, culture, and empowerment, the festival includes storytelling, live performances, a fashion show, and more at the Garner Road Community Center.

Durham

June 17 - 18: 18th Annual NC Juneteenth Celebration

Enjoy live music, vendors, kids' activities, and more on the Golden Belt Campus from 1 pm - 10 pm on Saturday and 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Monday, June 19: 1 to 4:30 p.m.: Honoring Juneteenth In Our Courts: North Carolina Central University's (NCCU) School of Law Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute (SJREI) and the North Carolina Public Defender's Association will commemorate the Juneteenth holiday with a film screening of "Racist Roots," followed by a panel discussion.

Chapel Hill

June 17: Chapel Hill - Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Beginning with the dedication of the Hargraves Historical Marker, this event will showcase Black-owned businesses, local non-profits, live performances, and Kids Zone.

Hillsborough

June 17: Juneteenth Celebration at Orange County Public Library, Noon - 4:30 p.m.

All are welcome to the African-Influenced Mini Cookout, Black Literature Fair, and Black Business Pop-Up Market.

Morrisville

June 19: Party in the Park: Juneteenth Celebration, Noon - 2 p.m.

Happening at The Experience Center in Research Triangle Park, the celebration includes music, food trucks, and games. Early guests receive books by Black authors while supplies last.

Wake Forest

June 17: Freedom Walk and Juneteenth Festival, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Walk begins and ends at The Dubois Center, followed by an afternoon of performances, vendors, food, and fun.

Wilson

June 17: Juneteenth 7th Annual Street Festival, 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Mount Hebron Masonic Lodge #42 presents its annual street festival at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park. Expect local performances, speakers, vendors, and more.

Garner

June 17: Garner's 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

The Town of Garner presents its annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Garner Performing Arts Center. The event will feature remarks by a Duke professor, performances by a local church, and gospel legend Lena Mae Perry. Garner Mayor Ken Marshburn will also read the Town's Juneteenth proclamation

Apex

June 17: Juneteenth Festival 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

At The Depot on the corner of N Salem St and Center St the Town of Apex will have live music and entertainment with NiiTO and ET Drum Prophet, food trucks, basketball games and much more.

Learn about parking for the event here.

Elizabethtown

Sunday, June 18 from 2-8 p.m. Juneteenth at Jones Lake: Join us at Jones Lake State Park in Elizabethtown to commemorate the life of Dewitt Powell, the first African American state park superintendent. Enjoy live music featuring Spirit of Oya at 4:30 p.m. and The Stanley Baird Group at 6 p.m.

Sanford

June 19, In observation of Juneteenth, the City of Sanford's Parks Department will run a slideshow in Depot Park featuring prominent Black leaders of our community. The slideshow will feature photos dating back to the early 1900s, and will run a loop from 7:00 a.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m.

ABC11 Juneteenth Celebration is proudly sponsored by Honda Dealers of the Carolinas.