Simmons will observe Juneteenth, on Friday, June 19, 2026, a day which commemorates the moment when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom following the Civil War. This day marked the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas and symbolizes freedom and equality.
Boston offers a variety of ways to celebrate Juneteenth, involving art, music, dance, food, and a shared remembrance of the history of enslavement and freedom. Here are some key events:
- Book talk with Dr. Edda L. Fields-Black, COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During the Civil War, June 9, 6:00–7:00pm, virtual, hosted by the African American History Museum and American Ancestors. This talk will discuss the first detailed account of one of the most dramatic episodes of the Civil War. During the June 1863 Combahee River Raid in South Carolina, Harriet Tubman and 150 African American Union soldiers rescued and emancipated more than 700 enslaved individuals. Register here.
- Author talk by Nicholas Boggs: James Baldwin, A Love Story, June 10, 6:00–7:30pm at the Boston Public Library’s Copley Square location or on Zoom. Boggs will discuss his bestselling Baldwin biography and sign books for in-person attendees.
- Juneteenth Joy Celebration at Hyde Park, June 13, 9:30am–2:30pm. Register to attend this event, which features a dancehall flash mob, African dance, and drumming lessons, Afrocentric exhibitions and vendors, and free ice cream.
- Family Movie Night: Black Panther, June 18, 3:00–5:30pm. The Lower Mills (Dorchester) branch of the Boston Public Library will host a screening of this beloved film that honors African culture.
- Juneteenth Celebration at Boston Public Library, June 18, 6:00–7:30pm. The Parker Hill branch will host a community celebration with music, food, and crafts.
- Roxbury International Film Festival, in person: June 18–26; online: June 26–July 2. This is the largest film festival in New England that celebrates films by, for, and about people of color. The festival is led by BIPOC women and run by volunteers, screening all genres of films. Consult the Festival’s website for details about the schedule and passes.
- Juneteenth Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts, June 19, 10:00am–10:00pm. In honor of Juneteenth, admission to the MFA is free for all Massachusetts residents. Enjoy performances, art-making activities, talks, storytelling, and special exhibitions. Tickets available in person on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free with a valid Massachusetts zip code.
- Juneteenth! A Block Party Celebration, June 19, 10:00am–5:00pm. Celebrate freedom and Black culture at the Museum of African American History with hands-on art workshops, music and poetry performances, and a vendor fair of local artists.
- Boston Landmarks Orchestra, “A Juneteenth Celebration,” June 20, 3:00pm at the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Center. The Landmarks’ fourth annual Juneteenth concert will feature the music of Scott Joplin, Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, Michael Abels, Julia Perry, and Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky. This year, the ensemble is collaborating with talented young musicians from the Sphinx Performance Academy intensive summer program. Admission is free, but online registration is required.
- Juneteenth Underground Railroad Harbor Cruise, June 20, 12:45–3:00pm, Boston Harbor Islands. Join National Park Service staff for a powerful 2-hour narrated harbor cruise that brings the hidden history of Boston’s role in the Underground Railroad to life. Stories of courage, resistance, and resilience will animate an exploration of waterfront sites, shipping routes, and communities connected to the fight against slavery. Details and registration are available via the Boston Harbor Islands’ website.
For a more comprehensive list of public Juneteenth events in the Boston area, visit the Meet Boston website, which includes lists of walking tours, in addition to local Black-owned restaurants.