Juneteenth, a combination of “June” and “nineteenth,” is celebrated each year on June 19 and commemorates the day in 1865 when the last of those enslaved in Texas received news of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed two years earlier. Now recognized as a federal holiday, New Jersey was the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, the amendment wasn’t fully ratified until December 1865, after the Civil War. That’s when the Union Army rode south to inform those who were enslaved they were free. Here’s how you can explain the holiday to your kids.
We’ve rounded up events where you can commemorate Juneteenth in New Jersey.
June 19
Juneteenth
11 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
The community celebration will include a flag-raising ceremony. There will be fellowship, music, arts, voter engagement, tabling, a chalk mural, entertainment and snacks.
Juneteenth in Newark
Newark
Start the day at Harriet Tubman Square with Juneteenth Around the Square, continue the celebration with lunch at a Black-owned restaurant, shop during the Black Business Crawl, and finish the night with karaoke.
Black Voices of the Revolution
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Both in the galleries and online, you can explore the lesser-known stories of Black men and women of the Revolutionary era, as well as Black soldiers who fought with the 2nd Spartan Regiment of Militia from South Carolina. Special activities for the day include the Black Voices of the Revolution Gallery Tour, a performance by Elizabeth Freeman, pop-up talks, and themed activities for kids.
Juneteenth BBQ
Rooftop at Exchange Place, Jersey City
Commemorate the end of slavery with a special BBQ on the rooftop that overlooks NYC.
June 19-22
Juneteenth at Marcus Live!
Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, American Dream, East Rutherford
Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant created an “M’s Soulful Supper” dinner to represent heritage, freedom and new beginnings. The meal includes grilled pork chops (strength and resilience) with blueberry sauce (sweetness and hope), loaded sweet potato mash (comfort) and garlic-sautéed spinach (vitality).
June 20
Juneteenth Cocktail Party Fundraiser
Art is Bond, Montclair
The party honors three key sites on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail: the Howe House, the Montclair History Center, and St. Mark’s Church.
Juneteenth Ice Cream Social
The Pennington African Cemetery, Pennington
Get free Mr. Softee ice cream (while supplies last) while you take a tour of the cemetery to learn about the slaves who were buried there.
June 21
SSAAM Juneteenth 2025: Stories of Freedom
Mt. Zion AME Church and Reasoner/True House, Skillman
Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, which is Central Jersey’s only Black history museum, puts together a day of heritage performances, spoken word performances, storytelling, a drum circle, a read-aloud story corner, an artisan marketplace and the launch of the Little Free Library of Banned Books.
Juneteenth Celebration
Veterans Park, Gloucester Twp.
The day of culture and community will feature local businesses, a cultural marketplace, food, live music, and plenty of entertainment.
Juneteenth NJ Festival 2025
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Featured performers include Larry June, Showcase, Timmy Regisford, Flygerian, DJ Sliink, Blaze the Rebel, Autumn Jones, Carvell and more, plus special guests. Hosted by Moneta-Kai, Anayyah Lockett and Suaso.
Juneteenth Parade & Freedom Festival
New Brunswick
The Vulcan Pioneers of New Brunswick will lead the parade along George Street and Remsen Avenue to Recreation Park on Pine Street. The festival will have food trucks, live music, kids’ activities and giveaways.
Amazon Free Day at Staten Island Children’s Museum
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, New York
Amazon is sponsoring a free admission day in honor of Juneteenth.
Past Events:
June 5
Family Afternoon at The Farminary
The Farminary, Princeton
Princeton Theological Seminary opens The Farminary—a unique 21-acre sustainable farm where theological education meets ecological stewardship—to families. This interactive event gives kids in grades K–8 an opportunity to connect with nature through hands-on activities, like through seed planting and farm exploration. The afternoon will also feature a special storytelling session by author Alliah Agostini, known for The Juneteenth Story and The Juneteenth Cookbook, celebrating themes of food, culture and community.
June 7
Juneteenth Celebration
Metuchen Town Plaza, Metuchen
Metuchen’s 5th annual Juneteenth celebration will celebrate Bob Marley’s 80th birthday with a tribute to reggae music. Join the drumline performers, step dancers and calypso band.
June 8
Juneteenth Celebration
Downtown Freehold
There will be food, music, vendors, live entertainment by Valerie Adams & The Dimension Band, and more activities set up along Main Street, from Court Street to Throckmorton Street.
June 14
Juneteenth Freedom Day Festival
Minnie B. Veal Community Center, Edison
The celebration will be hosted by the NAACP Metuchen Edison Piscataway.
June 17
The History of Emancipation & Juneteenth
Virtual, via Monmouth County Library
The presentation touches on the American abolitionist movement, the election of Abraham Lincoln, Freemont’s Emancipation, Hunter’s Emancipation, and General Benjamin Butler’s orders on “Contraband of War.” Then learn how Juneteenth went from a local Galveston celebration to a national holiday.
June 18
Juneteenth Celebration + Fun Day
Bucky Jones Center, Long Branch
There will be a DJ performance, food vendors, local business vendors and bouncy houses in the name of freedom and unity.
Juneteenth Arts Celebration Kickoff Concert
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Lynette Sheard will sing popular freedom songs that demonstrate the joy and hope of the African-American experience.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
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