Honoring Juneteenth: White Tears And A Free Concert

Juneteenth: Celebrating Black Liberation

June 19, 1865: two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally received their freedom. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived to enforce the directive, liberating Black people from the clutches of white supremacy. Texas, the last Confederate state to announce emancipation, marks a turning point in American history.

In 2021, Juneteenth became federally recognized, but Texas had already been celebrating this pivotal moment. Now, Austin joins the yearly festivities with a series of events:

Juneteenth Festival Barbecue Taste-Off

June 14, 7-11 p.m.
Old Settlers Park, Round Rock

A barbecue competition with live music.

Juneteenth Festival Round Rock

June 15, 5 p.m.-midnight
Old Settlers Park, Round Rock

Concert featuring Lloyd, Paul Wall, 1K Spin, and more.

Central Texas Juneteenth Parade and Festival

June 15, 10 a.m.-noon (parade), noon-9 p.m. (festival)
Parade: Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Leona St.
Festival: Rosewood and Boggy Creek Park

Juneteenth parade followed by a festival with food, vendors, music, and children's activities.

A Juneteenth House Party: Celebrating Black History, Cultivating Black Stories

June 15, 1-3 p.m.
1501 E. 12th St.

Outdoor event celebrating the reopening of the historic Southgate-Lewis House, originally the residence of Dr. Thomas H. Davis, one of Austin's first Black physicians.

Leander Juneteenth Block Party

June 15, 5-9 p.m.
Robin Bledsoe Park, Leander

Live music, food trucks, craft vendors, bounce houses, swimming pool, splash pad, and a basketball tournament.

Freedom Fest

June 15, noon-4 p.m.
Turner Roberts Recreation Center

Austin Area Urban League presents slingshot showcase, children's activities, comedy, live music, and free food.

Black Makers Market

June 15, noon-6 p.m.
African American Cultural and Heritage Facility

Over 40 vendors, food trucks, giveaways, and DJs.

Community Juneteenth

June 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Carver Branch of the Austin Public Library

African dancers and drummers, puppet show, arts and crafts, fashion show, vendors, art gallery, DJ, and a speech by Professor Roland Hayes.

Buda Juneteenth Jubilee

June 15, 1-5 p.m.
Buda Amphitheater and City Park

Music, dance, food, and shopping.

Juneteenth Community Celebration

June 15, 1-4 p.m.
Willie Mae Kirk Branch of the Austin Public Library

Food, games, live music, face painting, and crafts.

Juneteenth Festival with Scarface and Free Your Mind Symposium

June 15-19
George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural, and Genealogy Center‎

Cookout, concert with Scarface and Tank and the Bangas, readings, talks, screenings, poetry slam, theatrical performances, drag ball, and more. juneteenthatx.com/festival

The Neill-Cochran House Museum Juneteenth Celebration

June 22, noon-5 p.m.
The Neill-Cochran House Museum

New exhibit: "A Juneteenth Rodeo," tours of the enslaved dwelling, and gospel choir performance.