There is a Juneteenth Flag of Freedom. It is half red and half blue with a star in the middle, showing that the formerly enslaved were and are Americans and represents Texas as the Lone Star state. In 2007, the significant date "June 19, 1865" was added to the flag. But despite these being the formal colors of the holiday, you'll also see people honoring Black Independence Day with red, black, and green. These are the colors of the Pan-African flag, which was created in 1920 and encouraged by leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey. This flag honors people of African Diaspora and also symbolizes Black liberation and freedom. Each year a Juneteenth Flag raising ceremony is held in Galveston.

Are you ready? The annual Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas is back! Juneteenth is a holiday marking the end of chattel slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was read to the last group of enslaved people in Texas. As a result, Juneteenth is honored with the veneration of our ancestors, prayer, African drumming, and dance. The celebration of Juneteenth is a recognition of the endurance of the African spirit over the cruelty of chattel slavery.

Above all, the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas’ purpose is to “share the history of chattel slavery in the USA and to commemorate its historical ending.” This year will mark the 25 annual Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas celebration. The event will run from June 19th to June 19th, 2022. This three-day-long event will happen in the heart of Plaza Midwood for the entire community to celebrate. Community members can come out to celebrate, learn, and honor the history of Juneteenth. Most importantly, take this time to celebrate and surround yourself with loved ones.

The Schedule:

  • June 16, 2022
    • Youth Culture Camp 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • June 17, 2022
    • Drum Circle 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • June 18, 2022
    • Opening Ceremony, Prayers & History of Juneteenth 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  • June 19, 2022
    • Gospel Fest & Closing Ceremony 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For more information on the celebration, you can visit their website.

List: Juneteenth Celebrations Happening In Charlotte

  • Charlotte Juneteenth Celebration

    The 3rd annual Charlotte Juneteenth Celebration is a 3-day celebration by SESA University in collaboration and More Color Inc. Happening June 17th – June 19th at 619 Anderson St. There will be vendors, live music, food trucks, art, fashion, and more!

  • Juneteenth Jam

    Blumenthal Performing Arts’ Juneteenth Jam is your place for all things music. The event will be June 16th to June 18th at NASCAR Plaza and Victoria Yards. 

  • 1st Annual Queen City Juneteenth Parade

    This year, a new Queen City Juneteenth Parade will take place right here in Charlotte. Monday, June 20th at 10:00 a.m. at Central Piedmont Community College’s Cato Campus will kick start the first annual parade celebration. 

  • Juneteenth at Gantt Center

    The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture presents Juneteenth events every year. There will be an Art After Dark event happening Friday, June 17th, 2022, from 6 to 10 p.m for those 21+. There will also be a free  Juneteenth Celebration on Sunday, June 19th, 2022 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. This event will feature hands-on art experiences, conversations, and a live performance by Quentin Talley and The Soul Providers. 

  • North Carolina Juneteenth Festival

    This year’s North Carolina Juneteenth Festival is themed “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining.” It will take place Saturday, June 18th, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. There will be giveaways, vendors, kids activities, and more for everyone to enjoy. 

  • Belmont Juneteenth Celebration

    The annual Belmont Juneteenth Celebration is back in person after a two year virtual break. It will take place at Belmont’s Stowe park on June 18th, 2022, from 2 to 9:30 p.m.

  • Concord-Cabarrus

    A Juneteenth Parade will take place Saturday, June 18th, 2022, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Lineup will be on Crowell Street, next to Barber Scotia College. The parade will end at Caldwell Park. On June 25th, 2022, the Concord-Cabarrus Juneteenth Celebration will take place at Caldwell Park, 362 George Street SW, Concord, from 11 am. to 3 p.m.

  • Town of Davidson Juneteenth Celebration

    The Town of Davidson Juneteenth Celebration will take place on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ada Jenkins Center. This free event will include historical dialogues, a keynote address, music, dancing, shopping, food trucks, face painting, games, a bounce house and a misting station. The first 300 people to check in at the welcome tent will receive a free lunch.

  • Salisbury Juneteenth Celebration

    Visit the Salisbury Juneteenth Celebration Saturday, June 18th, 2022, from 12 to 5 p.m., at the Bell Tower Green. It will include music, children’s activities, vendors and more. 

  • 3rd Annual Juneteenth Youth Experience

    The Juneteenth Youth Experience gives the spotlight to kids and teens, with a youth vendor market and youth entertainers. This is a free event that will take place at Romare Bearden Park. The event will take place n Sunday, June 19th, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Indian Trail Juneteenth Celebration

    The first Juneteenth celebration in Indian Trail is happening this year on Friday, June 17th, 2022, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Crossing Paths Park. The free family event includes spoken word performances, a community panel discussion, African dance and drumming, a DJ, food trucks, vendors, giveaways, arts and crafts, and a bounce house.

  • Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Monroe

    The 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration in Monroe is happening on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Belk Tonowanda Park.