The City of Alexandria is proud to recognize Juneteenth — also known as our nation’s second national Independence Day — on Wednesday, June 19. We are hosting several events around Alexandria to educate and entertain.
Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing news of freedom to the city’s enslaved population. It fulfilled the promise of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which outlawed slavery in Confederate states more than two years earlier.
After years of growing prominence throughout the country, President Joe Biden officially recognized Juneteenth as a national holiday in 2021, remarking on the nation’s “incredible capacity to heal, hope, and emerge from our darkest moments with purpose and resolve.”
The City appreciates the opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday that aligns with two of Alexandria City Council’s guiding priorities, eliminating community disparities and fostering community connection. We encourage all our community members to take this opportunity to reflect on the progress made toward racial equality, and just — as importantly — the work yet to be done.
If the story of Juneteenth is new to you, you can learn more on the City website. The City also provides resources to better support individuals experiencing race-based trauma. We invite anyone who thinks they would benefit to seek support.
You can also learn more about Juneteenth while enjoying all-ages fun at the following City-produced events:
Culture Queen: Juneteenth Jubilee
Friday, June 14, 10:30-11 a.m.
Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.)
Join Grammy-nominated performer Culture Queen for an interactive musical storytelling show and learn the meaning of the Juneteenth holiday. For all ages.
For reasonable disability accommodation for this program, contact Jean Gregorio at jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.
National Juneteenth Holiday
Wednesday, June 19, 2 p.m.
Market Square (301 King St.)
The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices will present a lively, interactive concert featuring traditional music, dance, and spoken word that celebrates Juneteenth, local stories, and the enduring legacy of the African American quest for freedom and equality.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.
Juneteenth Bench Dedication
Saturday, June 22, 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.
Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.)
The dedication of a Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial bench with a reception at 10:30 and remarks at 11.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.
Juneteenth at Houston
Saturday, June 22, 12-7 p.m.
Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.)
Live entertainment, food, vendors, a moon bounce, and arts and history activities for all ages. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to this celebration of African American history and culture.
For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Jacquay Plummer at Jacquay.Plummer@alexandriava.gov or 7033.746.5434, Virginia Relay 711.
If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you. Please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.
Alexandria at 275: Connecting to our past to define a brighter future.
Since its 1749 founding, the historic city of Alexandria has played a major role in our nation’s story and reflected its progress toward inclusivity. Join us at events from April through September as we mark Alexandria's 275th anniversary and embark on the next chapter in our city’s vibrant history at alexandriava.gov/ALX275.