However you celebrate Juneteenth this year, Bluebikes can get you there. Check out all the events going on around town.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 that Union soldiers announced that the Civil War was over and that all enslaved persons had been declared free. Ride Bluebikes to one of the many events around greater Boston to gather with loved ones, celebrate Black lives, and reflect and recognize the struggle for liberation in America.
Ride to: Fields Corner T Stop
Juneteenth is a day to be remembered when African Americans were finally liberated from slavery in 1865, years after the Civil War ended. Celebrate with us as we guide you through step-by-step instructions to create a beautiful canvas painting that celebrates our Freedom.
Ride to: Washington St at Melnea Cass Blvd
The Slave Narrative of Willie Mae (TSNWM) is a work of historical fiction by multidisciplinary artist Ifé Franklin which tells the story of Willie Mae Lenox, a 20-year old Black woman enslaved in Virginia in the mid 1800s, who sets upon her journey to freedom. TSNWM began as a series of blog posts and live readings and was published in book form in 2018.
Ife Franklin Ifé Franklin/IféArt. Indigo Project, in association with Rhythm Visions Production Company, Inc., presents the premiere of an experimental short film, The Slave Narrative of Willie Mae, on Saturday, June 19, 2021 (rain date Sunday, June 20th) as part of a day-long Juneteenth Celebration held at Black Market Nubian Square
Ride to: Virtual Event
This virtual streaming presentation will celebrate the holiday of Juneteenth, when the Emancipation Proclamation was read in 1865 in Texas to the final groups of enslaved people marking the end to slavery in the United States. Through a variety of music from Black Composers across three centuries, we will celebrate Juneteenth with the themes of freedom, triumph, and joy. These works will be performed by leading Black Musicians of the Greater Boston Arts scene and filmed at the African Meeting House on Boston’s Black Heritage Trail.
Ride to: Wentworth Institute of Technology - Huntington Ave at Vancouver St
Join us on site at the MFA for a day of activities and programs to celebrate Juneteenth and honor the contributions of Black artists, scholars, and creative voices to the City of Boston. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally observed commemoration of the ending of slavery in the US.
Throughout the day, make art inspired by “Writing the Future: Basquiat and the Hip-Hop Generation,” see a concert curated by BAMS Fest, and catch a screening of Summer of Soul, a documentary from legendary musician Questlove featuring unearthed footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival.
Ride to: Curtis Hall - South St at Centre St
A soulful American drama about Turquoise, a single mom and former teen beauty queen, who enters her rebellious daughter Kai into the local Miss Juneteenth pageant; a title commemorating the day slavery was abolished in Texas on June 19, 1865. A Sundance Film Festival smash-hit in 2020, written and directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples and starring Nicole Beharie, Kendrick Sampson and Alexis Chikaez. Rated 15. All movies will feature English subtitles for the benefit of the deaf or hard of hearing.
Ride to: Nubian Square - Bolling Building
Rooted in racial equity, healing, wellbeing, and joy, this year's celebration will mark the beginning of establishing Juneteenth as America's original Independence Day. The evening and weekend, organized in collaboration with a host of amazing organizational partners including BAMS, Boston Children's Chorus, Boston Ujima Project, Boston While Black, Jazz Urbane, Project Step, and Roxbury Cultural District, will serve as the inaugural launch of an annual Juneteenth collaboration, One Night In Boston.
Ride to: Chelsea Square
You are invited to the City of Chelsea’s FIRST Annual Commemoration of Juneteenth on Friday, June 18th from 11-2pm at
Chelsea Square Park. Please join us as we Embrace, Educate, and Celebrate the Emancipation of Enslaved People in the United States on the 19th day of June in 1865. Entertainment Includes: Light Refreshments, Professional Drumming (accelerates physical healing), Vendor (Prime Taste of Africa)!!! Chelsea Black Community is looking forward to sharing this celebration with all of you
Ride to: Everett Square (Broadway at Chelsea St)
Mayor DeMaria is pleased to announce that the City of Everett in collaboration with the North Shore Juneteenth Association, Inc. will be raising the Juneteenth Flag on Thursday, June 17th at 11AM outside of City Hall, on the corner of Broadway and Church Street. Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement, and the City of Everett is honored to host this year’s ceremony with the North Shore Juneteenth Association, Inc. Speakers include Mayor DeMaria, President of the North Shore Juneteenth Association, Inc. Nicole Mcclain, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, State Representative Joe McGonagle, Bishop Robert Brown, and more. The Phunk Phenomenon dance group will also be performing at the ceremony. All members of the community are welcome to attend.
Ride to: Brookline Village - Station Street at MBTA
This year, a group of community leaders Brookline POC Committee, BBYBM (Brookline Black Yellow Brown Men) BDC (Brookline Diversity Club) have worked tirelessly to partner with the Brookline Community Foundation and the Town of Brookline in order to bring to you Brookline’s First Annual Juneteenth Celebration.
On June 19, 2021 we welcome everyone to join us outside of the Florida Ruffin Ridley School at 10am for a Freedom March (up Harvard to × ) and ending at the Brookline Ave Park at 11:00am. Music, dancing, kids games, and food will be available to all through 6/8pm
Ride to: Union Square - Somerville
Join us in commemorating and celebrating Juneteenth at Bow Market through a showcase of Black Art and Culture
11am - 5pm || Black Owned Bos. Retail Bazaar featuring House of Art & Craft, Adorn Me Africa, Ankhara by Luciana, and B. Royal Boutique
6pm - 7pm || Wild Child - Black Like Vinyl: Spin Party w/ Vinyl Index
7pm - 9:30pm || Wild Child - Steam Power Hour: Black Poetics After Dark
Ride to:
Join Volunteer Docent Stephen Pinkerton on the 150th anniversary of this momentous occasion for a guided tour of the graves of key members of Boston’s African American community who lived through the Civil War and celebrated the abolition of slavery in their own time.
Ride to: Central Square at Mass Ave / Essex St
The Black Matters Juneteenth Experience is an opportunity for our community to come together, celebrate, and heal. The evening will include live musical performances from Cambridge artists, poetry readings, dancing, and giveaways! We hope you will join us!