Communities throughout Connecticut are commemorating Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 to honor the emancipation of the last enslaved people in the U.S. in Galveston, Texas.
President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. Juneteenth was observed as a state holiday in Connecticut in 2023 after Gov. Ned Lamont signed legislation the previous year.
Here's a look at some of the events happening across Connecticut to mark Juneteenth:
Berlin
The Berlin-Peck Memorial Library hosts its Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dr. Amanda Anderson will discuss the radical Black Women’s Movements of the 1970s and ’80s starting at 11 a.m. At noon, Central Connecticut State University Prof. Matt Warshauer will talk about the history of citizenship. Then, Dan Morrison, founder of the John Brown Project, will facilitate a viewing of selections from "Pushing the Rock," a documentary about the history and formation of systemic racism in America at 1:15 p.m. Presentations conclude at 2:15 p.m. with local historian Nicole Thomas discussing the resilience and resistance along New London's Black Heritage Trail.
Visitors of all ages are also encouraged to paint rocks at the library. Each participant will be able to paint a rock to take home and a rock to place in the library's rock garden.
Bloomfield
Bloomfield and Blue Hills Fire Department hosts a Juneteenth celebration Friday, June 20 through Sunday, June 22. DJ Sikani performs at a kickoff party June 20 at 8 p.m. at the firehouse at 1021 Blue Hills Avenue. There will be a run and walk 5K race starting at the firehouse at 8 a.m. on June 21, followed by a parade at 9 a.m. The parade is followed by live entertainment outside the firehouse from 1 to 5 p.m. On June 22, a food and craft festival will feature food trucks, vendors, live entertainment and a kid zone from 1 to 5 p.m.
Danbury
The 2025 Danbury Juneteenth Celebration is scheduled to kickoff with a concert by The Men of Soul on Friday, June 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. on the CityCenter Green, 1 Ives St. Then on Saturday, June 21, Western Connecticut State University hosts a celebration at its midtown campus at 181 White St., from noon to 5 p.m. The event will feature live music and spoken word poetry performances, an art exhibit curated by Danbury native Brailyn Rodriguez Brito, a wellness and health Fair with free screenings, children's activities and food trucks and vendors.
East Hartford
East Hartford hosts its fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Town Green, 1047 Main St. There will be music and spoken word performances, a double Dutch demonstration and remarks by Mayor Connor Martin and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas.
Enfield
Live music, spoken word, dance and storytelling from diverse performers highlight the Fourth Annual Juneteenth Festival on the Enfield Town Green, 820 Enfield St., scheduled for Saturday, June 21. Items will be available for purchase from vendors and food trucks.
Farmington
The band FriendZWorldMusic will perform at The Hill-Stead Museum, West Lawn at 35 Mountain Road, on Friday, June 20 starting at 6 p.m. Registration is requested.
Hartford
The Hartford African American Parade & Juneteenth Celebration starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at Keney Park. Following the parade, a community celebration runs until 3 p.m.
Celebrate at the Connecticut Science Center on Thursday, June 19 with a Juneteenth-themed scavenger hunt designed to highlight key moments in the journey to freedom. Learn about the achievement of Black scientists and inventors through hands-on experiences and demonstrations.
Hebron
The Peters family, descendants of formerly enslaved Hebron resident Cesar Peters, will provide music at a church service at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 30 Church St., on Sunday, June 22 starting at 10 a.m. A dedication of a stone in memory of enslaved Hebron residents is scheduled for 11 a.m. The church service will be followed by a Juneteenth Celebration, in partnership with the town of Hebron, in the Parish Hall with music, poetry, storytelling and soul food until 2 p.m.
Litchfield
Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, 229 East Litchfield Rd., will host a spiritual Juneteenth program with prayer and historical reflection on Thursday, June 19 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Middletown
A Juneteenth parade will start at 10:30 a.m. on Prince Mortimer Avenue and end at the South Green on Thursday, June 19. Immediately after the parade, the Middletown Ujima Alliance presents a Juneteenth festival at Harbor Park that runs until 6 p.m. The festival will feature vendors, poetry, line dancing and free hamburgers and hot dogs for children.
Milford
The Milford Juneteenth Celebration Committee and Mayor Tony Giannattasio will raise the Juneteenth Flag on Friday, June 13 at noon outside City Hall, 110 River St. The Sixth Annual Milford Juneteenth Celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 on the Milford Green, 84 South Broad St. The event features food vendors, musical performers, children's activities, books, games, clothing, novelty items, artwork and Milford nonprofits will be featured.
New Britain
The New Britain Juneteenth Freedom Festival is scheduled for Thursday, June 19 at Central Park, 230 Main St., from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be live music, a flag raising and a free community cookout.
The New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St., hosts its 24th Annual Juneteenth Celebration! on Saturday, June 21 with free admission to the museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features artistic performances, music, in gallery experiences and artmaking as well as vendors representing Black-owned businesses and independent artists.
New Haven
The International Festival of Arts and Ideas will host an evening with Monique Martin at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School on Wednesday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. with a moderated conversation followed by a reception. Tickets are $75.
Sandra’s Next Generation Soul Food, Jazzy’s Cabaret and other Black-owned New Haven restaurants will participate in Juneteenth Restaurant Week from Sunday, June 15 through Sunday, June 22. Eateries will have a fixed-price menu.
A Juneteenth Jamboree with The Keepers of the Culture Performing Arts Company, The Rahsaan Langley Project, and R&B singer Johnny King marks the start of The International Festival of Arts and Ideas on the New Haven Green, 250 Temple St. on Friday, June 20 starting at 7 p.m. (Connecticut Public is a sponsor of the event.)
New London
The city of New London, Connecticut Landmarks and the New London NAACP hosts educational programs at the Hempsted Houses, 11 Hempstead St., on Saturday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is appreciated.
Norwalk
The Norwalk Public Library, 1 Belden Ave., hosts a Juneteenth: Our Culture Is Beautiful event on Wednesday, June 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with African drumming and storytelling.
Portland
Portland's 7th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 14 from noon to 5 p.m. at Portland Middle School, 93 High St. The celebration will feature speakers, live music by the band At Last, as well as a variety of vendors from Black-owned businesses — and free ice cream.
Simsbury
The Simsbury DEI Council is hosting a Juneteenth celebration with live music and performances at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, 22 Iron Horse Blvd., on Saturday, June 14 from 1 until 5 p.m. Kids will be able to build with Legos and see a full-sized Black Panther statue made from Legos. Several Black-owned food trucks are expected at the event.
Stamford
Stamford's Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 14 will start with a flag raising at 1 p.m. at the Government Center, followed by a parade stepping off at 1:30 p.m. and live music and food trucks until 7 p.m. at Mill River Park, 1010 Washington Blvd.
Waterbury
The Waterbury Juneteenth Collective presents a freedom celebration on Thursday, June 19 at 11 a.m. at City Hall, 235 Grand St. The event includes a flag raising, vendors, live entertainment, music, dance, storytelling and food.
The Palace Theater, 100 East Main St., hosts a Juneteenth Celebration Thursday, June 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. The free event features Grammy-nominated jazz artist Chris "Big Dog" Davis, Gospel singer Will Davis II and singer Devin Tiana along with the children and teens in the 3D Music Academy Ensemble.
West Hartford
The West Hartford CommUnity Juneteenth Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, June 14 at Town Hall, 50 S Main St., between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event is in its fifth year and features Juneteenth memorabilia, musical performances, arts and crafts and food trucks.
