20 Juneteenth events in Charlotte — plus ways to celebrate Black culture all year long

Why it matters: Nationwide, communities recognize June 19 as the day enslaved African Americans gained freedom in the U.S. 

• In 2021, President Biden signed legislation officially recognizing that date, which is referred to as Juneteenth, as a federal holiday. 

Here are 20 Juneteenth events to check out this month. You can also celebrate the culture all year long by supporting a local Black-owned business. 

Editor’s note: Serving the Culture’s event on June 24 is a recent addition to this list. 

Meditate at the Pauline Tea Bar Apothecary

Details: Calm your mind with herbal tea and a variety of events throughout the year to help you unplug and reset your spirit.

Upcoming events:

• Meditation for busy minds on June 15 and June 22.
• Restorative yoga on June 24.
• Journaling and tea on June 17. 

Cost: Prices for events typically range from $10-$15.

Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas in Plaza Midwood.

Details: Reflect on the roots of the historical holiday with unity march, live music, discussions, activities for kids alive entertainment from June 15-18. 

Upcoming events: 

• Youth Culture Camp on June 15. 
• Drum Circle on June 16.
• Gospel Fest on June 18.

Cost: Free

View African artwork at Real African Art Gallery

Details: The art gallery host weekly “Sip & See” events every Friday. They include two glasses of wine and live music. The events also feature a collection of sculptures, paintings, jewelry, masks and other wooden carvings from African countries. 

Upcoming dates: June 16 and June 30.

Cost: $10

Eat from a Black-owned food truck at West Complex

Details: Taste a variety of dishes from select food trucks, shop from retail vendors, and enjoy music from a live DJ all summer long, every third Friday of the month.

Upcoming dates: June 16, July 21, August 18 and September 15.

Cost: Free

Queen City Juneteenth Parade at Central Piedmont Community College.

Details: Celebrate the holiday with a parade consisting of Black professionals. The event will also include activities, food and a band performance on Saturday, June 17, at 10am.

Cost: Free

Juneteenth LIFESTIVAL at Fran’s Kids Boys and Girls Center

Details: Enjoy face painting, horseback rides, bounce houses, arts and crafts, music, games plus local food and business vendors. The event will be held June 17 from 12-4pm.

Cost: Free

Listen to live Jazz music at Ivy Hall Foundation

Details: Bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy jazz sounds on the lawn on June 17. There will also be food trucks and local vendors that day from 2-7pm.

Cost: $40 

Celebrate Black Liberation and Unity at West Charlotte High School

Details: Expect children’s activities, dance performances, live music, health screenings plus voter registration and education on June 17 from 2-6pm.

Cost: Free

Annual Juneteenth Cookout at Victoria Yards

Details: A family-oriented celebration of Black culture with feature story time, panel discussion, live DJ, food and a spades tournament.

• The two-day event will be held from June 17-18.

Cost: Free

Experience LGBTQIA+ ballroom culture at The Gantt Center

Details: Celebrate Black culture and pride month with a full day of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, drag brunch, installations, a fashion show and a kiki ball hosted by DUPP&SWAT on June 17.

Cost: General admission is free. Tickets for the Drag brunch are $35 and the fashion show is $60. 

Go deeper: 15 drag shows in Charlotte this June

Cultural Music Fest at Route 29 Pavillion

Details: Listen to lineup of musicians including Doug E Fresh, Adina Howard, DJ Fatman Scoop, Carl Thomas, Chubb Rock and Sunshine Anderson. There will also be vendors, food trucks, beer, wine and alcohol on June 18 from 11am-8pm.

Cost: Tickets start at $37.50.

Durag Festival at Camp North End

Details: A week-long series of events celebrating Black art, fashion, food, music, tech and the community from June 18-24. 

Upcoming events: 

• R&B Rooftop Day party at Skyline Terrace on June 18.
• Brunch at Skyline Terrace on June 19.
• Durag Fest at Mad Miles on June 20.
• Durag Labs at The Gantt Center on June 21.
• Goofy Movie screening on June 22.
• Uptown Football Club tournament on June 24. 

Cost: Some events are free but tickets for the festival range from $40-$115.  

Go deeper: The unapologetically Black Durag Festival is back

Embrace Black culture at Archive.

Details: This coffee shop is a display of Black history and culture through its preservation of books and Ebony magazines, art, music and vibe. For Juneteenth, they will host events starting Monday, June 19, with a full day of giveaways, movie night, educational discussions and a tribute to Wu-Tang.

Upcoming events: 

• Watch a movie screening of Daughters of The Dust Wednesday, June 21, from 7:30-10pm.
• Discussion with Davidson College professor Randi Gill-Sandler on Thursday, June 22, from 7-8:30pm.
• They also host a Vinyl spinning event on the last Sunday of every month.

Go deeper: Archive, a coffee shop celebrating Black culture, now open in west Charlotte

Shop at Buy-Black Fest

Details: Purchase items from an array of retail and food vendors while you enjoy music from a from a live DJ on Monday, June 19, from 2-9pm.

Cost: Free.  

Educate family and friends at the Gantt Center

Details: Gain a wealth of knowledge from exhibitions, conversations and hands-on art as you explore the Black history museum.

Cost: Free on Monday, June 19, from 12-6pm.

Connect with Black women through BlkPrnt CLT

Details: Make new friends at one of BlkPrnt’s monthly events designed to create a safe space for Black women to meet, converse and hopefully develop newfound connections.

Upcoming date: Skate meet up on June 22 at 7pm.

Go deeper: Social Group BlkPrnt CLT aims to bring Black women in Charlotte closer together

Take an African dance classes at NC Dance District

Details: Learn traditional African dance movements from Imania Detry plus rent drums for a Dun Dance and Drum class on June 23-24, 2023. 

Cost: $18

Get active with Mad Miles Run Club

Details: Walk, run or jog a two- or four-mile route every week before celebrating a completed work out with music from a live DJ, dancing and shopping from local small businesses. 

• Meet-ups are every Monday at Social Status, Tuesdays in Camp North End and every Saturday in Elizabeth Park.

Cost: Free

Go deeper: I hate running but I’ll exercise with Mad Miles Run Club

Honor Black excellence with Charlotte FC

Details: Charlotte Football club will hold a panel discussion so Black community leaders can share their personal experience about how they achieved success in the Carolinas. A special edition of jersey numbers will also be worn by Charlotte FC in their match the week of Juneteenth to celebrate the Black culture and community of the Carolinas.

• Pre-Match Panel Discussion at Fahrenheit Rooftop on Saturday, June 24, from 3-4:30pm.

Cost: $100 ticket includes entry to the discussion, food and ticket to the game.

Hip-hop inspired brunch at Lenny Boy Brewing Co.

Details: Serving the Culture’s quarterly dinner series pays homage to hip-hop artists with themed dinner items and cocktails. Their upcoming event will be a “GET CRUNK” themed brunch with eight courses, various cocktails, giveaways, art and a live DJ.

Cost: $150

Go deeper: Popular dinner series pays homage to hip-hop and culture in Charlotte