Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It is a time to educate, commemorate, celebrate, and reflect on the Black experience in America. Looking for a way to celebrate the rich culture and history of the holiday in Williamsburg? From parades, to picnics in the park, to free museum admission, here is a list of Juneteenth events in the region.
William & Mary Juneteenth Commemoration
William & Mary will celebrate Juneteenth in person in the Sadler Center from 10-1 p.m. on Wednesday June 18. This event is free and will include exploring and dancing of all varieties.
Main Schedule
Program begins at 10:15 a.m. in the Chesapeake Room
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Greetings from William & Mary and the City of Williamsburg
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The history of Juneteenth by Ghana Smith
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Boots on the ground: Line dancing led by Kelsea Mangrum of Keeping up with Kels and 5Starr Band
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5Starr Band
Exhibitors and Vendors
- 1940 redesign LLC
- Jeter
- Joanne Hainesworth
- Baked Sugar Bakery
- The arts Daughter
- Keeping Up With Kels
- Defined Arts
- William & Mary Bray School Lab
- AT&T
- Divine Beauty Bling
- Simply Unique T-shirts, Portraits, and more LLC
- Mia Bakery
- York- James City- Williamsburg Youth Council NAACP
The Village Initiative’s Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
Join James City County and the York-James City-Williamsburg NAACP branch for a free celebration on Thursday, June 19, at 12 p.m. There will be free admission and free food along with so much more! From parades to DJ Drew Carter AKA Grand Master Dee of the legendary, chart-topping Hip Hop group Whodini, Live entertainment, and Loco Strut African Fashion Show, tribute to Displaced Families and Churches, Dancing Divas, 757 City Slide Steps, and VA Steppas. So many things to see and hear! Don’t forget to eat with the line of food trucks that are expected!
Juneteenth at Jamestown Settlement
Although Juneteenth springs from events that happened in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, the event celebrates liberation from a system of slavery with origins in Jamestown, where in 1619 the first recorded Africans were brought after landing at Old Point Comfort, and where the first slave laws enacted in the mid-17th century impacted the lives and status of Africans and their descendants.
Jamestown Settlement will celebrate Juneteenth on Sunday, June 15, at 1 p.m. Starting off at 1 p.m., view the documentary film, "Reclaiming the River: African American Life on Virginia's Waterways," which sheds light on African American contributions to river life of early America. At 3:30 p.m., paddle out on Jamestown area waterways. The group, limited to 15 participants, will launch from the James City County Marina at 3 p.m. and return at approximately 5:30 p.m. Paddlers must be age 15+ and do not need to be expert kayakers but should be familiar with water safety and be comfortable on the river. The paddling event will Cost $35 and require pre-registration.
African Baptist Meeting House Groundbreaking & Williamsburg Bray School Public Opening
On June 19, at 9 a.m., the public is invited to join members of The Historic First Baptist Church and the descendant families of Williamsburg for the groundbreaking of the reconstructed African Baptist Meeting House. This is the original permanent location of The Historic First Baptist Church, one of the earliest African American congregations in the United States. The African Baptist Meeting House and Burial Ground will open to the public in 2026 in honor of the 250th anniversary of The Historic First Baptist Church’s founding. Following this event on June 19, at 10 a.m., marks the public opening of the restored Williamsburg Bray School building, one of the earliest North American institutions in which Black children were formally educated, and the 89th original building in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. This building is an admission-free site that plans to tell the complicated stories of the past.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Grab your crew and head to Colonial Williamsburg where admission is free on Thursday, June 19, for the historic area and art museums. Special Juneteenth programming includes performances by Nation Builders, family programming designed to help families discuss slavery with their children, a walking tour exploring the paradox of the institution of slavery and the movement for independence, and more.
We invite you to join several organizations who will be hosting events during this special weekend. For more information please visit the Juneteenth Community Consortium.