Juneteenth in Charlotte: A guide to festivals, community events and more
The Charlotte area is gearing up for a variety of Juneteenth celebrations to honor Black freedom and the end of slavery in the United States.
The June 19 federal holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when news of their emancipation finally reached 250,000 enslaved people in Galveston, Texas — long after President Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862.
Charlotte’s Juneteenth events offer the opportunity to create community connections for newcomers and longtime residents alike, with tours, festivals and more.
Here are some events to check out:
QCT Charlotte Pilgrimage Tour
Location: The Market at 7th Street, 224 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
When: Monday to Saturday, through June 30, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
At this Juneteenth event, expect to explore over 25 miles of historic sites, including three slave cemeteries, a former slave church and a Civil Rights-era home. Costs run as follows: Adults 13-61: $32-$42; seniors 62+: $30-$40; children and students 5-12: $23-$33. Groups of 10+: $5 off per ticket.
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas
Location: Multiple in Plaza Midwood
When: June 12-15
The annual Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas celebrates the end of slavery with a lineup of events that includes a youth culture camp, drum circle and other entertainment, Gospel Fest and more. The festival’s Freedom March will take place on June 14 at 11 a.m., starting at Skyla Credit Union at 718 Central Ave., and end at the House of Africa at Central and Thomas avenues, where the festival started 28 years ago.
Juneteenth Festival
Location: Samuel William Davis, Sr. Multipurpose Field, 730 3rd St SW, Hickory, NC 28602
When: Saturday, June 14, from 5:30-9 p.m.
Hickory’s Juneteenth Festival will feature live music by Baby Black Band, kid-friendly activities, dance performances, food trucks, vendors and resources. The all-ages event is sponsored by Arts Culture Catawba, Target and Legacy and Sports Development.
Juneteenth in Matthews
Location: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105
When: Wednesday, June 18, 5:30 p.m.
Matthews will mark Juneteenth with a festival featuring food trucks, fun activities and vendors. Look for entertainment including Drums 4 Life, and a headlining concert by Africa Unplugged! A bonus: The first 50 diners will receive a $20 food truck voucher.
Juneteenth: What Does Freedom Mean to You?
Location: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - University City Regional branch, 5528 Waters Edge Village Dr.,Charlotte, NC 28262
When: Wednesday, June 18, 6-7:30 p.m.
The Charlotte Observer and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library are teaming up for a round-table discussion featuring guest speakers: Kenny Robinson, founder and president of Freedom Fighting Missionaries; and civil rights attorney Geraldine Sumter, managing partner with Ferguson Chambers & Sumter, P.A. RSVP for the free event to save your space.
Juneteenth at The Gantt Center
Location: The Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, 551 South Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202
When: Thursday, June 19, 12-6 p.m.
Juneteenth celebrations at The Gantt Center offer a variety of all-ages options for participating including a community archiving workshop, an hour-long screening that goes in-depth into the meaning of Juneteenth, art creation and more.
Juneteenth Art Fest
Location: Shoppes at University Place Lakefront, 8931 JM Keynes Drive, Charlotte NC 28262
When: Thursday, June 19, 4-8 p.m.
Juneteenth Art Fest — sponsored by Culture Blocks and others in partnership with the University City Library — is a free event that will feature local artists, live music and dance. While you enjoy the music, you can shop the marketplace showcasing small, minority-owned business. Performances include appearances by Emmy Award winner Boris “Bluz” Rogers and Charlotte’s inaugural Poet Laureate, Junious “Jay” Ward and many others.
Juneteenth events at Blush CLT
Location: Blush CLT, 7631 Sharon Lakes Rd Ste. E Charlotte, NC 28210
When: June 19-22
Multiple events are taking place at Blush CLT to celebrate Juneteenth, including a poetry showcase, comedy show, adult prom and more. The lineup culminates with the Queen City Juneteenth Music & Food Festival, a 21+ event featuring live music and dancing, local food trucks from 1-6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
’Trouble So Hard’
Location: Davis Theater, 65 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28205
When: Friday, June 20, 7:30 p.m.
A new showing of will take place of “Trouble So Hard,” a narrative performance that spans Black history in America from 1526 to the present day. The free musical show hosted by the Cabarrus Arts Council features diverse artists.
Juneteenth Rock Hill
Location: Multiple
When: June 20-22
Rock Hill’s Juneteenth celebrations include a Friday food truck rally to kickoff the weekend, Freedom Fest at Clinton College from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday and a Sunday service at Mt. Prospect Baptist Church.
Durag Festival
Location: Blackbox Theater, 421 E Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28213
When: Saturday, June 21, 2-10 p.m.
This year’s Durag Festival includes a change of location to Sugar Creek with a “campus-style” setup across two venues and Juneteenth Homecoming theme honoring Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Music, food and, of course, the annual Wave Check will all be on the schedule.
Juneteenth Beach Bash
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd. Charlotte NC 28206
When: Sunday, June 22, 2-8 p.m.
Camp North End is holding Boileryard Brunch: Beach Bash, a Juneteenth edition of the event hosted by Jaleta Gardner and Dammit Wesley. Special drinks, bites and shopping opportunities will be spread across the campus.
This story was originally published June 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
