Jun 17, 2025 - Things to Do

Celebrate Juneteenth in D.C. with festivals, music and history

Members of the Limitless Dancing Warriorettes perform as they march in the Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival Parade at Cabin John Regional Park on June 19, 2024 in Potomac, Maryland. — Members of the Limitless Dancing Warriorettes perform as they march in the Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival Parade last year. Photo: evin Dietsch/Getty Images

Celebrate Juneteenth around D.C. with festivals, history and family-friendly gatherings.

The big picture: Juneteenth — a new federal holiday marking the 1865 emancipation of enslaved people in Texas — has grown in popularity nationally amid Trumpian backlash.

It's become a rich and history-steeped holiday in D.C. with ties to historic Black communities, special museum exhibits and plenty of music and culture.

What's happening:

🎶 Backyard Band at Ivy City Smokehouse

The go-go legends kick off the holiday with a Wednesday night show.

📍 Ivy City | ⏰ 9pm | 💵 $44

🎉 Scotland Juneteenth Festival

Montgomery County's largest celebration honors Scotland's historic Black community with multiple days of events and a full-day festival on Thursday.

📍 Multiple locations | 📅 Ongoing through Thurs | 💵 Free

🗣️ Washington Revels in Old Town

Thursday's two-part program features storytelling with David Olawuyi Fakunle and a Jubilee Voices concert of traditional songs and spirituals.

📍 Old Town Alexandria | 📅 Thurs, 1pm | 💵 Free

🌁 Anacostia Juneteenth Freedom Walk and Jubilee

The Anacostia Renaissance Kollective is holding a freedom walk across 11th Street Bridge starting at 10am, continuing with activities in Anacostia.

📍 Anacostia | 📅 Thurs, 10am–5pm | 💵 Free

🎤 Juneteenth at National Harbor

Festivities include a marketplace of Black creators, dancing, live music — and a waterfront screening of "Black Panther."

📍 National Harbor | 📅 Thurs | 💵 Free

📜 National Archives display

See the original Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth order from 1865 — on view for just four days.

📍 Capitol Hill | 📅 June 19–22 | 💵 Free

🏛️ Mount Vernon "Freedom before Emancipation"

George Washington's estate explores the road to emancipation with family-friendly programs, tours, and storytelling.

📍 Near Alexandria | 📅 June 19–21 | 💵 From $28 (kids free or discounted)

🌿 Anacostia Community Museum celebration

A full Saturday of yoga, urban gardening, poetry, workshops, and live performances awaits at the Smithsonian museum.

📍 Anacostia | 📅 Sat, 10am–5pm | 💵 Free

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Celebrate Juneteenth in D.C. with festivals, music and history

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