Nearly 30 Juneteenth Events Happening in Westchester in 2024
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a federal holiday that commemorates the date when slaves in Galveston, Texas found out they were free in 1865. The announcement, in fact, had been made two years earlier, so these were the last slaves in the confederacy to claim their freedom. Though June 19 is the official holiday, the day is celebrated throughout Westchester all month long. Here is a list of nearly 30 Juneteenth events happening in Westchester (and a few in Rockland):
Ardsley
6/15
The Ardsley Multicultural Diversity and Inclusion Juneteenth Celebration
Presented by: The Village of Ardsley
This event will include music, dance and poetry, as well as a DJ and local youth performances. Food and ice cream will also be available for purchase. 1-4pm at Pascone Park in Ardsley.
Greenburgh
6/14
Town of Greenburgh’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Presented by: Town Councilwoman Gina Jackson and Friends
This day of celebration and remembrancein Greenburgh reflects on the past, rejoices in the progress made, and recommits to the work that still lies ahead. Rain Date: Friday, June 21. 5:30-8pm at 177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh.
Haverstraw
6/14-19
Haverstraw African American Connection 2024 Juneteenth events
Presented by: Haverstraw African American Connection
The Haverstraw African American Connection’s 2024 Juneteenth events will take place over four days. Activities include a live band, presentations, re-enactments, vendors, food, music and the KIDZone. Times vary at Haverstraw African American Memorial Park Haverstraw.
6/15
Haverstraw African American Connection 2024 Juneteenth events
Presented by: Haverstraw African American Connection
Haverstraw’s Juneteenth celebration will include the unveiling of Beacon of Hope, a permanent Harriet Tubman statue and the Freedom Wall Mural at the Haverstraw African American Memorial Park.
Irvington
6/19
Ways to Fly: Irvington’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Presented by: Irvington Juneteenth Committee and the Village of Irvington
This free workshop for kids in grades four through six focuses on the messages of hope and resilience seen in sculptor Vinnie Bagwell’s Yesterday statue. The workshop will be grounded in the Jacqueline Woodson’s The Year We Learned to Fly story and will incorporate a discussion and art activity so participants can explore their own resilience techniques. Pre-registration is required. 10:45- 11:30amat Irvington Historical Society.
6/22
Celebrating the Legacy of Madam C.J. Walker: Irvington’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Presented by: Irvington Juneteenth Committee and the Village of Irvington
This historic street-naming celebration in honor of Madam C.J. Wallker at the legendary Villa Lewaro will be attended by Madam’s great, great granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles. There will also be music, food and tours of Villa Lewaro. The event is free, but preregistration is required for the timed tours. 2-5pmat Villa Lewaro, 67 North Broadway, Irvington.
Katonah
6/16
Charles Turner & Uptown Swing
Presented by Caramoor
Jazz vocalist and songwriter Charles Turner and his band performs music from 1920s to modern day in the style of swing, bebop and blues. The day includes family-friendly activities.
Lewisboro
6/22
Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth Together!
Presented by: Equity4All
This event includes live music, food, crafts, games, family fun and a DJ. 2-4pm at Lewisboro Town Park.
Mount Kisco
6/22
Mount Kisco’s Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Presented by: Aaliyah Thompson
This event includes food and entertainment. Rain Date: Saturday, June 29. 12:30-5pm at the Mount Kisco train station parking lot.
Mount Vernon
6/19
Mount Vernon Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Presented by: Yusef Shah Islamic Center in collaboration with the Mount Vernon Department of Recreation
A celebration of freedom and unity.12-3pm at Hartley Park, Mount Vernon.
New Rochelle
6/19
4th Annual Resilience Juneteenth Celebration 2024
Presented by: The Lincoln Park Conservancy, Inc.
This Juneteenth celebration will include an African marketplace, performances, a petting zoo, food trucks and more. 12-6pm at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle.
Ossining
6/1
Juneteenth Flag Raising
Presented by: The Juneteenth Council, The Village of Ossining
A ceremony for the raising of the official Juneteenth Flag will take place at Market Square. 9:30am on the corner of Main Street & State Street.
6/21
Ballroom Has Something to Say: An Ode to Black Gay/Queer Men
Presented by: ArtsWestchester, Bethany Arts Community, The Loft, The Juneteenth Council
Icon Michael Roberson’s newest production presents an intergenerational history of the Black LGBTQ+ house ballroom community. 7-9pm at Bethany Arts Community in Ossining.
6/22
5th Annual Ossining Juneteenth Festival
Presented by: The Juneteenth Council, The Town of Ossining, ArtsWestchester, Bethany Arts Community
This celebration includes performances, food, and vendors. 12-6pm at Louis Engel Waterfront Park, Ossining
6/29
WBBTC 3rd Annual Juneteenth Tournament & Family Fun Day
Presented by: The Juneteenth Council, Ossining
This celebration from the Westchester Basketball Tournament Committee includes performances, food, and vendors. 10am-2pm at Ossining Parks and Recreation (95 Broadway, Ossining).
Peekskill
6/13
Peekskill Juneteenth Flag Raising
Presented by: Peekskill Youth Bureau, Tuesday Paige McDonald
6pm at City Hall (840 Main Street, Peekskill)
6/15
Peekskill’s 13th Annual Parade
Presented by: Peekskill Youth Bureau, Tuesday Paige McDonald
This year’s celebration theme is “Empowering the Next Generation.” Grand Marshals are Dr. Glenetta C. Phillips, Kenneth A. Phillips and Todd M. Scott. The parade kicks off at 1pm AME Zion Church (1220 Park Street, Peekskill).
6/15
Peekskill’s 13th Annual Festival
Presented by: Peekskill Youth Bureau, Tuesday Paige McDonald
Festival with live entertainment, vendors offering unique and cultural goods and services, a food, vendors and community partners. The festival will take place in downtown Peekskill 2-7pm on the Intersection of N. Division Street and Park Street.
Pelham
6/16
Juneteenth in the Village of Pelham
Presented by: The Village of Pelham Council of the Arts
A celebration will be a day of inspiration, education, cultural connection and entertainment to honor the Juneteenth Federal Holiday. Approximately 3-6pm at Wolfs Lane Park, Pelham.
Pleasantville
6/19
Film screening: Miss Juneteenth
Presented by Jacob Burns Film Center
Once a beauty queen and now a single mom, this movie’s protagonist struggles to prepare her rebellious teenage daughter for the Miss Juneteenth pageant.
Port Chester
6/19
Juneteenth Celebration
Presented by: The Port Chester Historical Society
This family-friendly event will feature music, poetry, history and community art. 5:30-7:30pm at Bush Lyon Homestead in Lyon Park
Pound Ridge
6/19
Juneteenth in Pound Ridge
Presented by: Pound Ridge Partnership, Human Rights Advisory Committee, Pound Ridge Library, and Pound Ridge Library Foundation
A free Broadway performance will feature Dan Micciche, musical director of Wicked; and Stephanie Umoh, who plays Angelica Schuyler in the national tour of Hamilton. 6pmat The Green in Scotts Corners in Pound Ridge.
Tuckahoe
6/15
Tuckahoe Freedom Day Juneteenth
Presented by: Tuckahoe Kids Table, NY Presbyterian
This Freedom Day includes an opening ceremony, poetry, awards and presentation, chess, gardening demonstrations, local vendors and small businesses. There will also be arts and crafts, African drummers and dancers, music, food and line dancing. 12-5pm at Main Street Park in Tuckahoe
White Plains
6/8
White Plains Juneteenth Parade & Festival
Presented by: White Plains Juneteenth Heritage Committee
This 20th annual community event of “Preserving the Legacy & History of Juneteenth” in downtown White Plains features a parade and festival, including arts and craft vendors, food, and entertainment for the whole family. The 2024 parade’s Grand Marshal is Kenneth Chamberlain, Jr. and special honorees White Plains Hospital, African American Men of Westchester, Karen Jenkins and Sheran Lyons.
11am-5pm in Downtown White Plains.
Yonkers
6/14
Pan-African Flag Raising Ceremony
Presented by: Yonkers Downtown B.I.D.,The Autism Project- FLOS Inc.
A performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing with the raising of the Pan-African Flag will also include a short history of “Juneteenth and Ujima,” 2024 Juneteenth African Heritage Parade Marshall Bro Rich Crews, crowning of 2024 Juneteenth Queen & King, high school scholarship recipients, comments and proclamations from local politicians, light refreshments and music. 3-5pm at City Hall Plaza, South Broadway in Yonkers.
6/15
Juneteenth Heritage Parade
Presented by: Yonkers Downtown B.I.D.,The Autism Project- FLOS Inc.
Parade day will include food, merchandise, vendors, prizes, arts and crafts, and family fun. 1-3pm at JFK Marina Park in Yonkers; Raffle drawing at 6pm.
6/19
3rd Annual Juneteenth Educational Conference
Presented by: Yonkers Downtown B.I.D.,The Autism Project- FLOS Inc.
This educational conference will showcase Dr. Alexandria Connelly, Dr. William Seraile, Dr. Bob Baskerville and Sierre Leone Ambassador AmaraTuray Jalloh. Performances will include Terrell Armstead and TRCY, African Libation Drum & Dance with the Afrikan Healing Circle, as well as live DJ Superior and refreshments. 12-4pm at Nepperhan Community Center in Yonkers.
FROM OUR NEIGHBORS IN ROCKLAND:
6/14
Haverstraw Flag Raising
Presented by The Haverstraw African American Connection
The African American flag will be raised at Village Hall with the mayor and town officials. Following the flag raising, a gathering will take place at Haverstraw African American Memorial Park for “G’s Jook Joint,” where there will be music, dancing, and light refreshments for purchase. At6:30pm.
6/15
Haverstraw Juneteenth Celebration
Presented by The Haverstraw African American Connection
Haverstraw African American Memorial Park will be filled with entertainment, vendors, food and a Kidzone. There will also be a Beacon of Hope statue unveiling and Freedom Mural reveal. At 3pm.
6/16
Gospel in the Park
Presented by The Haverstraw African American Connection
Gospel in the Park will celebrate both Juneteenth and Father’s Day. At 1pm in Haverstraw African American Memorial Park.
