Today, Congress passed legislation that was signed by President Biden establishing Juneteenth as a new federal holiday, and there are several events happening in the Orlando area this weekend in honor of the day.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — two months after the Confederacy had surrendered.
Here are the events planned throughout the city:
FRIDAY, JUNE 18
Haines City: Lake Eva Event Center – 1st Annual Juneteenth Black Tie Gala
This event will include a catered dinner, entertainment, speaker, cultural art displays & more. Cost: $50
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Orlando: Bronze Kingdom Museum – Friday Night R & B Live Juneteenth Weekend
This is an evening of grown and sophisticated vibes with Live R&B music. Cost: $15-$70
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Orlando: Downtown – Black Friday Orlando: Juneteenth 2021
This is a free citywide scavenger hunt centered on Orlando’s Black-owned businesses in the morning, then big block party and local market in the evening on Church St. Must RSVP to participate in the scavenger hunt at the link above.
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Orlando: Wells’Built Museum – Celebrate Freedom: Juneteenth at the Wells’ Built
This event offers opportunities to shop from local black owned businesses, plus food trucks and an open-air, maker’s market. Cost: $10
SATURDAY, JUNE 19
Kissimmee: Lakefront Park – Kissimmee Juneteenth Festival
This is a free community celebration of African American culture, including live music, delicious food, and craft vendors.
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Kissimmee: The Love Bar & Restaurant – Juneteenth Freedom Day: Comedy Grove
An evening of comedy, music, and food featuring Tae, Jerry McCarter, Genesis and Desmond Atkins. Cost: $10 – $90
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Maitland: Nan’s Place – Facets of Freedom: A Celebration of Juneteenth
Presented by Black Theatre Girl Magic Inc., this event features live musical and visual arts performances. Cost: $20
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Mt. Dora: The Peachy Market – Juneteenth Jamboree
This free family event will feature music, food, voter education and registrations, vendors, cake walks, raffle giveaways, face painting, balloon art and more.
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Ocoee: The Preserve at Crown Point – Juneteenth in the Preserve
This free family event will feature fun, music, and activities for the kids.
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Orlando: Bronze Kingdom Museum – Celebrate Juneteenth
This free event will offer live entertainment, local vendors, food, and discounted entry into the museum, as well as African food for purchase.
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Orlando: Courtyard 390 – MELANIN
An evening of music and dancing. Cost: $10-$225
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Orlando: Novelty at 101 – HUSH Society: Juneteenth Celebration
Music courtesy DJ Dalastmo, complimentary food from Jesse’s Rib Shack, sports on multiple screens and $120 for selected premium bottles. Cost: Free-$120
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Orlando: Orlando Repertory Theatre – Lunch and Learn: A BTGM Juneteenth event for Kids and Families
This free family event will feature story time with books about Juneteenth, acceptance, and loving the skin you are in. Food and drinks will be provided, and there will also be a face paint station and music for the littles to jam out to.
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Orlando: Sky Lounge at Amway Center – Afro Love: An Afro-Caribbean Experience (Juneteenth Edition)
An evening of music and dancing. Cost: $15 – $125
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Orlando: Wall Street Plaza – Black Wall Street: The Juneteenth Remix
This event will feature multiple djs, four clubs, and up to fifty small black businesses. Cost: $10-$40
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Orlando: WHPB 98.5 The Wire Studios – Freedom Day! Juneteenth Block Party
This free event will include music, food and drink for purchase, and more.
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Orlando: Painting With A Twist – Juneteenth Freedom Day
In addition to painting and enjoying wine, Black Barb’z Entertainment & Community Outreach Inc. presents a short production entitled “Freedman Delayed,” a theatrical performance on the history of Juneteenth as it explores a captivating narrative of the Texan slaves who weren’t made aware of their freedom until two and half years later. Cost: $45
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Polk City: Freedom Park – Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom
This free event will celebrate with comedians, food and drink (for purchase) and musicians Tanya Wilder, Chavonda Barnes, and Candi the Violinist.
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Sanford: Shantell’s – Juneteenth on Sanford Avenue
Sanford Avenue will be closed between Sixth and Fifth streets for this free event that includes live performances, a BBQ cookout, special guests, and keynote speaker Dr. Alzo Reddick.
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Winter Haven: Lake Maude Nature Park – The City of Winter Haven’s Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrate African American history and culture at this free family festival with music, education, kids’ fitness challenges, and more.
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Winter Park: Hannibal Square – Juneteenth Celebration In Historic Hannibal Square
This year’s free Juneteenth observance will feature Hannibal Square’s Chief Historian, Fairolyn Livingston, on the history of Winter Park’s African American community; an intimate conversation with Civil Rights Activist and Author, Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy, as to how she integrated Alachua County Public School system; and a panel discussion on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice with Lynette Jackson, Christianah Oyenuga and Glen Samuels on how major corporations are implementing equitable opportunities within marginalized communities in education, business and the environment, co-sponsored by The Rollins College Black Student Union
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