Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed — when the Union army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed African Americans, as well as plantation owners and enslavers, that “all slaves are free.”

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, but communities around the country have a long history of coming together on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.

Federal offices including the U.S. Postal Service will be closed on Juneteenth. Libraries and town offices across Vermont will also be closed in observance of the holiday.

Here are some of the Juneteenth events taking place across the state:

Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
Friday, June 19, 1-4 p.m.
Merchants Park
This free event brings live music, free food, educational presentations and performances to Merchants Park. It’s hosted by the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union, the Bennington Martens and the Bennington Banner. More information here.

Richard Kemp Center Juneteenth Block Party 
Friday, June 19, 12-5 p.m.
Richard Kemp Center
This Juneteenth celebration features food, face painting and a bounce house, as well as an opportunity for BIPOC Vermonters to share their experiences in the I Am Vermont Too photo booth. More information here.

The City of Burlington Juneteenth Celebration 
Saturday, June 20, 1-9 p.m.
City Hall Park and Church Street Marketplace
The city’s annual Juneteenth celebration fills City Hall Park with music, dancing, a community dinner and other programming all afternoon into the evening. More information here.

Juneteenth Art Party 
Thursday, June 18, 6-10 p.m.
Hard-Pressed Community Printshop
This by-donation party will feature printmaking, barbecue and music. More information here.

Juneteenth Open House and Movie Showing Event 
Friday, June 19, 3-6:45 p.m.
Essex CHIPS
Essex youth and families are invited to a free African beading workshop with snacks, followed by a showing of Black Panther for rising 7th to 12th grade students. Registration is requested for the movie. More information here.

Free admission to the Rokeby Museum
Friday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Rokeby Museum is offering free admission during its open hours on Juneteenth. Offerings include an exhibit and film about the Underground Railroad. More information here.

More from Vermont Edition: Juneteenth and the music of liberation

A Journey of Freedom
Friday, June 19, various times including 7 p.m. concert
Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro and West Glover Congregational Church

The Jubalo Singers of Kentucky, led by acclaimed conductor Kathy Bullock and musician Mat Callahan, bring to life songs that were composed by enslaved people and abolitionists. Community members are invited to a meet and greet in West Glover that morning, as well as a 4 p.m. workshop with Bullock before the performance at 7 p.m. More information here.

Richmond Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 19, 3-30-4:30 p.m.
Town Center lawn
Celebrate Juneteenth with Richmond Racial Equity, featuring singing and free ice cream. More information here.

Juneteenth Celebration - SB Nite Out
Thursday, June 18, 5:30-8 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park
The first SB Nite Out event this summer celebrates Juneteenth, highlighting BIPOC food vendors and organizations, with music by Jenni Johnson and the Junketeers. More information here.

Juneteenth Community Dinner and movie 
Friday, June 19, 6-8:30 p.m.
South Burlington Senior Center
This community dinner will feature food prepared by Le Bon GoûT, followed by a showing of the movie Soul in the auditorium. Registration is required. More information here.

Juneteenth Jubilation: A Gathering of Spirit, Story, Creative Expression, and Celebration
Friday, June 19, 2-8 p.m.
The Alchemist Brewery
Celebrate Juneteenth in Stowe with live music, storytelling and tarot readings. More information here.

2026 Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 20, 2-4:30 p.m.
Lyman Point Park
The towns of Hartford, Bethel and Lebanon, New Hampshire, are inviting Upper Valley residents to join their sixth annual Juneteenth celebration in White River Junction with speakers, food, music, games and more. More information here.

Juneteenth in Winooski
Wednesday, June 17, 5-8 p.m.
Rotary Park
Winooski comes together for an evening of musical performances, food vendors and activities like face painting and block printing in celebration of Juneteenth. More information here.