A guide to Triangle communities celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth, which is celebrated on June 19 each year, is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of African Americans from slavery in the United States, which occurred on June 19, 1865. 

Several towns in the Triangle are hosting Juneteenth celebrations — here is when and where they are.

Chapel Hill and Carrboro

On June 16, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro will be hosting their fourth annual joint Juneteenth celebration at the Hargraves Community Center, located at 216 N. Roberson St. in Chapel Hill. 

The celebration will have a market featuring local nonprofits, Black artists and Black-owned businesses. There will be speeches from community members including Barbara Foushee, the mayor of Carrboro. 

There will also be performances by various artists, including local jump rope team the Bouncing Bulldogs and steel drummer Mickey Mills. 

Raleigh 

On June 15, Raleigh will be hosting a celebration at Harvey Hill in Dorothea Dix Park, located at 693 Palmer Drive. The event is presented by the Capital City Juneteenth Committee in partnership with the City of Raleigh and the Dix Park Conservancy.

Opening remarks and guest speakers begin at noon, followed by various musical and spoken word acts as well as a recognition of historically Black colleges and universities.

There will be an activity zone for children with inflatables and lawn games as well as a story corner. 

Durham

Spectacular Magazine and Triangle Cultural Awareness Foundation will be hosting Durham’s 19th annual Juneteenth celebration on the N.C. Central University campus on June 15. The celebration will go from 1-8 p.m. and will feature live music, an Afro-centric fashion show, children’s activities, as well as vendors selling traditional African and African American clothes, items and food.

Organizations will also set up exhibition booths to inform event-goers of services such as mentoring, substance abuse and mental health resources, as well as activities like summer camp and after-school. 

At Sarah P. Duke Gardens, there will be a Juneteenth Jamboree hosted by Duke Arts, in which three artists will tell stories of Black historical figures through music. Registration closes on June 11 at 11 a.m., and the event will be hosted on June 19 at 7 p.m.

There will also be a free informational event at the Historic Stagville State Historic Site, which was formerly part of a plantation. The event will share stories of enslaved people, their lives and the transition to freedom.

The event will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 22. 

Pittsboro

On June 15, Community Organizing for Racial Equity will be hosting a Juneteenth Black Arts Festival at the Chatham County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

This year’s theme is “Freedom to Dream,” and the event will provide cultural and educational experiences. The festival is free and open to all. 

Hillsborough

The Orange County Office of Equity & Inclusion is hosting the Orange County Juneteenth Celebration on June 14 throughout the day.

The opening ceremony will take place at the David Price Farmer’s Pavilion at 10 a.m., followed by an informational session at the Orange County Public Library from 1-4 p.m. on the legacy of Black farming. There will be a discussion with local Black farmers and lunch is included. The closing celebration will take place at the Eno Arts Mill from 6-9 p.m. with music, a market, community art workshops and food. 

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