Juneteenth Events in North Texas 2021

Discover unique events across North Texas and celebrate the enriched culture of Juneteenth with NBC 5!

June 19, 1865, signifies the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston to take control of the state to ensure that all enslaved people would be freed. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abram Lincoln, had been signed two and a half years earlier and it declared that "all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free."

Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, honors that day and the end of slavery in the United States. It is considered the longest-running African-American holiday.

National Juneteenth Virtual Music Festival
Friday, June 18 – Sunday, June 20
Special Opening Reception June 17 Honoring Ms. Opal Lee
3-Day In-Person Location: The Warehouse, 1125 E. Berry Street, Fort Worth
FREE Live Stream Tickets
In-person Tickets Available
www.JimAustinOnline.com

NBC 5, Jim Austin Online, and the DFW Metroplex Jazz are hosting the National Juneteenth Music Festival in-person and virtually featuring an incredible weekend of Zydeco, Blues and Jazz, and more for music lovers.

A special reception honoring Fort Worth Living Legend and National Juneteenth Holiday advocate, Mrs. Opal Lee. The reception will take place on June 17 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum will host the reception, which will feature entertainment by saxophonist John Taylor. Complimentary food and beverages will also be served.

Proceeds for the National Juneteenth Virtual Music Festival will benefit the United Way of Tarrant County’s Covid-19 Relief, the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum, and The Artist Outreach.

Juneteenth Celebration Parade, March and Festival 2021
Saturday, June 19 at 10 a.m.
Fair Park
Parade Registration Here
For more information, visit www.dfwjuneteenthcelebration.com.

Don’t miss the Juneteenth Celebration Parade, March, and Festival in Dallas. The event is free to attend. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. at William Blair Jr. Park and proceeds to Fair Park. There will be horses, trail riding clubs, parade floats, organizations walking, along with truck and trailers riding, a Car and Bike Show, International Hair Show, Dominoes and Spades Tournament, Horse Competitions, Negro Baseball League Historical Exhibit, Vendors Village with Food Trucks, Live Free Music Concert and more! The Juneteenth Celebration, March, and Festival will benefit the Blair Foundation for Humanitarian Assistance and Social Services.

The following Monday, June 21, at 9:00 a.m. a golf tournament will be held at The Golf Club of Dallas, in Oak Cliff community of Dallas, Texas.

Opal’s Walk Live
Saturday, June 19
Starts at 10 a.m. at Evans Avenue Plaza, 1050 Evans Avenue, Fort Worth
For more information, visit www.opalswalk2dc.com

Ms. Opal Lee invites you to celebrate Juneteenth and embark on her annual 2.5-mile walk with her from the Historic Southside of Fort Worth to the downtown Courthouse. The walk signifies the 2.5 years it took for the news of freedom to reach all enslaved people in the United States.

You do not have to be local in order to participate. While Ms. Opal Lee will walk and celebrate alongside her community in Fort Worth, Texas, she invites you to walk the 2.5 miles with her, from wherever you may be! Walk through your neighborhood, on a treadmill, at a local track or wherever you can. Gather family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to help spread the word.

Denton Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 18 – Saturday, June 19
In-Person Location: Fred Moore Park, 501 S. Bradshaw Street
Register Here
Virtual Celebration and All Information Here

The City of Denton’s Juneteenth Celebration is an annual celebration to honor Black freedom, accomplishments and promote unity in the community. The celebration will be held in person and virtually. The virtual celebration will go live on Friday, June 18, at noon. It will include live entertainment, a poetry contest, a coloring contest, and an educational lecture.

The Denton Public Library will host a Juneteenth 101 session where DJ Cox will present an informative beginner’s guide to Juneteenth, a Texas state holiday. Newcomers will be able to embark on the journey of discovering the true origin of Juneteenth. Participants will also be able to survey worldwide recognitions. Myths that are commonly held will be challenged and analyzed. This is a learning space for uninformed and curious learners, but seasoned Juneteenth celebrants and historians are also welcomed. Participants must register by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16 to receive an invitation to the Zoom meeting. To register, visit www.denton.bibliocommons.com/events/search/index/event/608821682d4b123a006007db.

Juneteenth Celebration and Pageant
Irving Parks and Recreation
Saturday, June 19 at 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
In-person Location: Jackie Townsell Bear Creek Heritage Museum
3925 Jackson Street, Irving
For more information: 972-721-2519

Georgia Farrow presents Bear Creek’s Juneteenth Celebration and pageant from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Jackie Townsell Bear Creek Heritage Museum. The celebration will focus on the importance of Juneteenth facts through an abundance of culture. There will be free food, kids play zone, a museum tour, pageant, a DJ and live band, and much more!

American Airlines Juneteenth Jubilee
June 18, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Legacy Park Pavilion
701 NW Green Oaks Boulevard, Arlington
Register Here

American Airlines' Black Professional Network Members, in collaboration with the Dock Bookshop, My Brother's Keeper, Unity Unlimited, and Jim Austin Online, invite you to celebrate the emancipation of Black enslaved people in the U.S. Guest speaker, Ms. Opal Lee, Honorary Grandmother of Juneteenth, will share the history of Juneteenth and the status of her quest to make it a national holiday. This exciting, family-friendly event will have steppers, drummers, poets, storytellers, food, games, and more to help you celebrate this holiday. Register to secure your ticket(s).

2021 MLK Juneteenth Celebration
June 19, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center
2292 MLK Boulevard, Dallas

The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, in collaboration with the Dallas Police Department's Office of Community Affairs, will host a drive-thru celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon. You can drive or walk to the center and get free food, household products, and more. The center is also looking for volunteers and will accept donations.

2021 MLK Juneteenth Celebration
June 18 from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
June 19 from 2 a.m. - 4 a.m., 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., 10 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Sheraton Suites Marker Center
2101 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas

The Annual Juneteenth Unity weekend, hosted by Dallas Southern Pride, will take place at Sheraton Suites Market Center from June 17 to 20. This year's lineup includes artists like Lil' Kim, Rick Ross, Young M.A, and DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown, also known as Erykah Badu. The event will also include health screenings, vendors, and other community resources. On Friday, June 18, a welcome reception will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. DSP After Dark will take place on Saturday from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., and a Pool and Block Party will be held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Finally, a Mega Party will take place from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday at Gilley's Dallas. Additional information can be found here.

2021 Juneteenth Fest
June 19 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Legacy West, 5908 Headquarters Drive, Plano
For more information, click here.

The Mtoto Agency presents Juneteenth Fest at Legacy West, starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 19. Black-owned businesses will be open for shoppers to visit, local musicians will be performing and artists will be showcasing their work. The Mtoto Agency booth for kids will have face painting from 12 p.m. -2 p.m.

AMC Black Picture Showcase Celebrating Juneteenth
June 18 - June 24
Select AMC theatres
For more information, click here.

AMC is featuring a range of Black-led films in honor of Juneteenth. Movies like Moonlight and Love And Basketball will be in select theaters across the Metroplex for $5. According to an AMC press release, the weeklong event was created by "AMC African-American associates" as part of an initiative to celebrate Black excellence in film and amplify Black voices.