Juneteenth: What's Happening in Boston?

Juneteenth is tomorrow, Friday, June 19th. There are many ways to observe Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, so we’ve compiled a list of Juneteenth events happening virtually here in the Greater Boston area. As the fight for equity and justice continues, we hope this list provides some resources to commemorate this vital day in history and celebrate the contributions, writing, art, and experiences of Black Americans.

Black Composer Miniature Challenge

Friday, June 19th, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

A Free Virtual Event by Castle of Our Skins

Hear Bahamian-American composer, sound artist, and sonic activist Shannon Sea's "Hannah Elias II" for solo viola. Castle of our Skins will be streaming this performance on Facebook and Instagram.

Concert with Dzidzor: Freedom as an Act of Practice: Celebrating Juneteenth

Friday, June 19th, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

A Free Virtual Event by the Boston Public Library

An online concert in spirit of BPL’s annual Concerts in the Courtyard series, this week in celebration of Juneteenth. They will be streaming this performance on their YouTube page.

Boston's 10th Annual Juneteenth Emancipation Observance 2020

Friday, June 19th, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

A Free Virtual Event by the National Center for Afro American Artists, Juneteenth Committee, and Peace Mas

Virtual links will be sent via email. RSVP here.

How To Build An Anti-Racist Movement

Friday, June 19th, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM

A Free Virtual Event by the Boston Globe

Join Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Director of the new BU Center for Antiracist Research and best-selling author in conversation with Boston Globe Editorial Page Editor and author Bina Venkataraman on Juneteenth, 2020, the 155th anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States. RSVP here.

MFA Community Celebration: Juneteenth

Friday, June 19th, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

A Free Virtual Event by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

This year, the MFA is taking their eighth annual Juneteenth event online to honor the contributions of Black creatives, scholars, and artists to the City of Boston. The event will be live-streamed on their Facebook and YouTube pages.

Juneteenth 2020 Celebration

Friday, June 19th, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

A Free Virtual Event by the West Medford Community Center & North Shore Juneteenth Association

There will be dance, music performances, interviews, poetry, and children’s book readings! The event will be live-streamed on their Facebook page.

PSB Presents Jabari Asim with Porsha Olayiwola, Stop & Frisk: A Juneteenth Poetry Reading

Friday, June 19th, 7:00 PM

A Free Virtual Event by Porter Square Books

This event is free and open to all; any contributions via Crowdcast to this event will be donated to Black Lives Matter Boston. RSVP here.

Michael E. Sawyer presents "Black Minded" with Flores A. Forbes

Friday, June 19th, 7:00 PM

A Free Virtual Event by Harvard Book Store

Harvard Book Store's virtual event series welcomes Michael E. Sawyer for a discussion of his latest book Black Minded: The Political Philosophy of Malcolm X. He will be joined in conversation by Flores A. Forbes. RSVP here.

Poetry as Protest: Dr. Malcolm Tariq

Friday, June 19th, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

A Free Virtual Event by Royall House & Slave Quarters, Museum of African American History - Boston and Nantucket, Boston African American National Historic Site, Friends of the Public Garden, and the City of Boston

A night of poetry and conversation on Juneteenth with Dr. Malcolm Tariq. Malcolm will read from his stunning debut "Heed the Hollow." RSVP here.

Freedom Fête: A Virtual Juneteenth Celebration

Friday, June 19th, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM

A Free Virtual Event by The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston

A virtual dance party exploring how much musical innovation is an ingrained part of the Black legacy. Genres innovated by Black musicians include gospel, jazz, blues, salsa, R&B, rock and roll, soul, funk, house, techno, hip-hop, and so much more. RSVP here.

Looking for more ways to celebrate Juneteenth? Check out our list of Juneteenth events happening remotely across the country: