Join the City of Alexandria in honoring Juneteenth with two free community events celebrating African American history, culture, and resilience.
Tomorrow, June 19, from 1 to 3 p.m., enjoy an outdoor concert on Market Square (301 King Street) featuring the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices. This performance weaves together African American storytelling and traditional songs that speak to freedom and perseverance.
Then on Saturday, June 21, from 12 to 6 p.m., head to the Juneteenth Festival at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) for a vibrant, family-friendly event filled with live music, local vendors, food, games, art, and cultural performances. Hosted in partnership with the City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Momentum Collective Inc., and the Alexandria NAACP, the festival honors the richness of African American heritage and community service.
As part of the day’s festivities, the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe Street) will be open free of charge. Visitors can enjoy powerful exhibits, a curated book sale, cultural activities, and short films exploring the meaning and legacy of Juneteenth. Don’t miss a special Storytime for Little Historians at 12:30 p.m.
An award ceremony will also recognize local community leaders aged 60 and over who have dedicated at least 20 years to serving Alexandria.
Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865—the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, the holiday stands as a powerful celebration of freedom, culture, and unity.
These events are part of Historic Alexandria’s ongoing mission to preserve and share the full story of Alexandria’s past to inspire a more inclusive future.
Learn more at alexandriava.gov/museums/juneteenth-a-time-of-reflection-and-rejoicing.
About the Office of Historic Alexandria
The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the history of the City of Alexandria with eight museums, historic sites, archives, archaeology, tours, exhibits and public programs. Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serve as a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.
If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-3960.