11 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth in the Charlotte Area
A guide commemorating life, art, culture and more
The best way to kick off your summer early is with any of these Juneteenth celebrations spread throughout the greater Charlotte area.
House of Africa’s Annual Juneteenth Festival
June 12-15 | Times vary | House of Africa, 1215 Thomas Avenue | Free
Launched in 1998, House of Africa owner Pape Ndiaye is heading into his 28th year hosting his annual Juneteenth celebration in Plaza Midwood, making it one of the longest running observations of the holiday not only in Charlotte but all of North Carolina. Events planned this year include a drum circle, youth culture camp, Gospel Fest and more. A Freedom March is scheduled to start at Skyla Credit Union at Central and Thomas avenues at 11 a.m. on June 14. Beyond that, expect plenty of vendors selling food, beverages, arts, crafts and other goods throughout the weekend in a family-friendly environment.
Gastonia EbonyFest Juneteenth Festival
June 14, 2 p.m. | June 19, 6 p.m. | Rotary Centennial Pavilion, 107 N. South St., Gastonia | Free
Celebrate freedom, culture and community with live music, food, crafts, art and family-friendly activities on two separate days.
Belmont Juneteenth Celebration
June 14 | 2-9:30 p.m. | Stowe Park, 24 S. Main St., Belmont | Free
Hosted by Elements of Empowerment, Inc., this free cultural festival features arts, crafts, music, food and more, including a finale concert from 7-9:30 p.m.
Queen City Juneteenth Cultural Celebration
June 15 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive
Coinciding with the one-year anniversary of he reopening of the Historic Siloam School, this year’s cultural festival will be held on the historic grounds of The Charlotte Museum of History — land that was once part of the Alexander Plantation and has since been transformed into a site dedicated to education, preservation and truth. Expect live performances, inspiring guest speakers, local vendors and food trucks, community storytelling and art, interactive exhibits and tours, including special access to the restored Siloam School building.
Matthews Juneteenth Celebration
June 18 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews | Free
Folklorist April C. Turner hosts an evening of music, dance, history, art, storytelling, food and community. With performances and appearances by Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Praise Team, Drums 4 Life, neo-soul vocalist Makeda Iroquois, cultural historian Makheru Bradley, and a headlining concert by Africa Unplugged.
Ada Jenkins Juneteenth Celebration
June 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St., Davidson | Free
The fifth annual Ada Jenkins Juneteenth celebration will be held mostly outdoors and will have a heavier emphasis on education as it relates to the historic African American communities in the Lake Norman area. The free celebration and family day includes a simulated neighborhood tour, crafts and activities, DJ and arts performances, vendors with a focus on Black-owned businesses, dessert stands, a Kids Zone (weather permitting) and a free meal for the first 300 attendees.
University City Juneteenth Art Fest 2024
June 19 | 4-8 p.m. | The Shoppes at University Place, 8931 JM Keynes Drive | Free
Celebrate creativity, culture and community at the Shoppes at University Place, with local artists, live music, dance performances and a marketplace showcasing small, minority-owned business. Local food vendors will also be serving a range of dishes from soul classics to contemporary cuisine.
An Ode to West Fest
June 21 | 2-6 p.m. | West Charlotte High School, 2219 Senior Drive | Free
Local community activist organization For the Struggle partners with the Gantt Center to hosts its sixth annual Juneteenth celebration, celebrating Black unity and liberation in Charlotte’s historically Black corridor by honoring the history and vibes of the iconic West Fest, the community celebration that rose to popularity in Charlotte’s West End in the ’90s.
“By honoring the legacy of West Fest, we’re grounding this year’s festival in the rich history of one of the most iconic Black corridors in the city,” reads the website. Expect free entertainment, giveaways, a kids corner and a special area for senior citizens, plus the return of West Fest’s iconic dance competition.
Durag Fest
June 21 | 2-10 p.m. | The Pass, Raleigh Street | $49
Organizers of the Durag Fest, a homegrown cultural phenomenon held near Juneteenth each year, announced in January that this year’s event will be held at The Pass, a creative development bridging NoDa with the historically Black neighborhood of Howie Acres and other surrounding Sugar Creek developments.
Now in its eighth year, the internationally recognized event has earned features in Vogue, ESPN and Blavity while attracting attendees from seven countries ranging from the Netherlands and Jamaica. This year’s theme will honor the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities with a Juneteenth Homecoming theme.
Read More: Durag Fest Serves as a Different Type of Juneteenth Celebration
Historic Rosedale Juneteenth Celebration
June 21 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Historic Rosedale, 3427 N. Tryon Street | Free
As part of its African American Legacy programming, Historic Rosedale follows through on its mission to honor those who once forcibly labored on the property. This Juneteenth celebration will include music, dance, children’s activities and a panel titled “How We Preserve Our History.”
Read More: The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society Goes Ghost Hunting
Juneteenth Festival on the Green
June 28 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Barber-Scotia College, 145 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord
The annual Concord-Cabarrus Juneteenth Celebration features food, music, vendors and more.
