The International African American Museum will mark Juneteenth festivities on June 19 with J.O.Y. – “Juneteenth on the Yard,” an annual, multigenerational program centered around joy, reflection, culture and community.
The museum will have free admission and outdoor festivities throughout the day. Its program invites guests to explore Black history while celebrating freedom and expression through music, dance, storytelling and fellowship.
The museum opens at 10 a.m. Guests are encouraged to reserve timed-entry tickets in advance, though walk-ups will be welcomed based on capacity.
The garden outside the museum comes alive at noon with a live broadcast from Z93 JAMZ’s Riecy G. and music by DeeJay Rubin. An hour later, the mainstage program begins with artist performances, reflections and more. Headliner D Smoke, a three-time Grammy-nominated artist, songwriter and cultural storyteller, promises an unforgettable conclusion to the day’s celebration. D Smoke is known for his lyrical precision, genre-spanning artistry and reflections on identity, family, community and self-discovery.
Visit iaamuseum.org/event for a full list of offerings at Juneteenth on the Yard, including schedules, social media channels and more.
What is Juneteenth?
Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved Americans, on Jan. 1, 1863, news didn’t reach some parts of the nation — or was intentionally withheld in others — until more than two years later.
On June 19, 1865, Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 in Galveston Texas, officially declaring all enslaved people in Texas, the last bastion of slavery, were free.
Widely regarded as the nation’s “second Independence Day,” the day is celebrated each year as Juneteeth, with community gatherings, church services, parades, historical readings, musical performances and more.
Other ways to celebrate Juneteenth
THURSDAY: Jazz Under the Stars
Join jazz artists Jeanette Harris and Reggie Graves & Jazz Theory for a special night of smooth tunes and good vibes. This event, part of the sixth annual J19 Week celebration, is perfect for jazz lovers looking to unwind under the night sky. Bring your friends, and get ready for amazing live performances, light bites and the beautiful ambience of North Charleston’s Admiral’s House. June 18. 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets start at $40. Charleston Naval Base Admiral’s House. 1100 Navy Way. North Charleston. j19week.com
FRIDAY: 6th annual Gullah Juneteenth
Head to the Charleston Visitor Center and bring the whole family to sound the drums of freedom with the Gullah/Geechee Family Foundation at its 6th annual Juneteenth freedom celebration. Bring chairs, drums, ancestral tribute items and anything else you need to honor Black history in the United States for this intergenerational gathering. June 19. 6 p.m. Free. Charleston Visitor Center. 375 Meeting St. Downtown. gullahgeecheefamilyfoundation.com
FRIDAY: Juneteenth Liberation Festival
This inaugural collaborative celebration presented by Divine Tempo CHS and BlackPeople.Love.HouseMusic will bring the community together at LO-Fi Brewing for an intentional evening centered around liberation, movement, healing, music, art and Black culture. Featuring live sets by DJ Heartless, DJ BiBi Beatz, DJ Nor\ Way and more, this festival also boasts a lineup of local vendors, small businesses and live artists creating works inspired by liberation and Black culture in real time. June 19. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Donations encouraged. LO-Fi Brewing. 2038 Meeting Street Road. North Charleston. posh.vip/e/juneteenth-liberation-festival
FRIDAY: Rhythm and Roots
Summerville Parks and Recreation is hosting its first ever Rhythm and Roots concert in celebration of local African American history and culture for Juneteenth. This event, sponsored by Renewal By Andersen, features food trucks, local vendors and live musical performances. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets to sit on the Brown Family Park lawn and enjoy the show. This year’s performance is by Mystic Vibrations. June 19. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free. Brown Family Park. 3000 Front St. Summerville. summervilleparks.com
FRIDAY: Living Legacies: A Juneteenth Commemoration
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens each June partners with the Slave Dwelling Project to commemorate Juneteenth with a day of education, honor and reflection. Living Legacies invites guests to explore the enduring resilience of the enslaved community at Magnolia through a powerful reading of names and a performance by the Bright Family Singers. The day features immersive experiences with living historians, including traditional brickmaking, open-fire cooking, sweetgrass basket weaving and more. June 19. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $32/general admission. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. 3550 Ashley River Road. West Ashley. magnoliaplantation.com
SATURDAY: Juneteenth Family Fest
The fifth annual Juneteenth Family Fest will take over Riverfront Park in North Charleston on Saturday. This free event is open to the public, with festivities beginning at 3 p.m and lasting until 10 p.m. The day-long celebration is power-packed with live performances, Black art displays, games for children and cultural food. There will also be non-profit organizations, local community service vendors and other groups on site. The party will be topped off with a grand fireworks display. June 20. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free. Riverfront Park. 1061 Everglades Ave. North Charleston. jffcharleston.com
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