News Summary
The Williamsburg area is set to host a variety of events to celebrate Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the U.S. The festivities include community fests, documentary screenings, and free museum admissions. Local organizations are collaborating to provide enriching activities aimed at engaging and educating attendees about African American culture and history. Highlights include food trucks, live performances, and family-friendly games, all occurring throughout the Juneteenth weekend.
Williamsburg – The Williamsburg area is preparing to host a series of exciting events to commemorate Juneteenth, the holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States. Known for celebrating African American life and culture, Juneteenth became a recognized Virginia holiday in 2020 and a federal holiday in 2021. The commemorative festivities will begin this weekend with several community events designed to engage, educate, and entertain attendees.
The York-James City-Williamsburg NAACP will kick off the weekend with a free Juneteenth Community Fest, taking place on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Freedom Park. This event will include live music, games, food from local vendors, and a presentation about the history of Juneteenth. The community fest aims to create a welcoming atmosphere for families and individuals looking to celebrate and learn more about this significant day.
On the same evening, York County will host its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the McReynolds Athletic Complex soccer fields, located off Route 17. This family-friendly event will feature food trucks, various games, arts and crafts activities, face painting, live performances, and a concert by the band Slapnation from 7 to 9 p.m. The York County celebration is alcohol-free and encourages attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets for a comfortable evening.
As part of the continued festivities, the Jamestown Settlement will hold a ‘Prelude to Juneteenth’ event on Sunday at 1 p.m. This event includes a documentary screening produced by Horace Scruggs titled “Reclaiming the River: African American Life on Virginia’s Waterways.” Admission for the event is free but requires advance registration for the film screening. Following the documentary, a guided paddle on the Jamestown area waterways will be offered, with a limited capacity of 15 participants at a fee of $35.
On June 19, admission to both the Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will be free to the public. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a variety of exhibits and films focusing on African and African American experiences from 17th century Virginia.
Colonial Williamsburg is also participating in Juneteenth celebrations, with a range of programming scheduled for June 17-19. A Juneteenth Sunrise Service is set for Sunday at 6 a.m. at the historic Compton Oak tree, featuring keynote speaker Daniel Black. Throughout the weekend, visitors can engage in demonstrations such as blacksmithing by craftsman Darryl Reeves.
The African Baptist Meeting House will celebrate its groundbreaking on June 19 at 9 a.m., accompanied by music from local choirs. Following this, the Williamsburg Bray School will open for public exploration at 10 a.m., showcasing the educational history where both enslaved and free Black students attended school.
Additionally, William & Mary is hosting its fifth annual Juneteenth celebration on June 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event will include food, games, local vendors, and live music by the band 5Starr, along with an opening program detailing the history of Juneteenth.
The weekend will conclude with the fifth annual Village Initiative Juneteenth Freedom Celebration on June 19 from noon to 6 p.m. at City Square Park. This event will showcase a parade, live entertainment, and the crowning of Little Miss and Junior Miss Juneteenth.
Local organizations are collaborating to enhance the Juneteenth events this year, providing a rich and diverse celebration for all attendees. For more detailed information on the events and activities planned for Juneteenth, residents and visitors can visit the Williamsburg tourism website.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Daily Press: Where to Celebrate Juneteenth
- Wikipedia: Juneteenth
- WY Daily: Prelude to Juneteenth at Jamestown Settlement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Juneteenth
- Williamsburg Families: Juneteenth Events in Colonial Williamsburg
- Google News: Juneteenth Williamsburg
- Brownstoner: Brooklyn Juneteenth Events 2025
- Google Search: Juneteenth Celebrations
- WY Daily: York County Juneteenth Celebration
