Juneteenth is sometimes referred to as America’s second Independence Day, as it commemorates the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers read the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas.
In St. Augustine, the proclamation was read in January 1863 – two and a half years earlier – making our city one of the first in the South to break the bonds of enslavement by executive order.
The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center celebrates Juneteenth with a lineup of special events featuring performers, speakers, and more.
Spend Juneteenth in the city of St. Augustine – where Emancipation began – with four days of history, culture, food, and fun.
These events are presented with support from the St. Johns Cultural Council and Tourist Development Council.
Author John Capouya shares the inspiring Soul artists who helped the Civil Rights Movement.
Free. Registration is required for virtual and in-person attendance.
Celebrate the first night of the Juneteenth weekend with an evening of smooth Jazz from saxophonist Marcus Click.
Tickets are $25.
Mahøgånëë is a Gullah Geechee Lowcountry creative, vocalist, poet, visual artist, and more. Her unique style of indigenous soul music blends genres including funk, blues, and hip-hop with African, Native American, and Caribbean influences.
Tickets are $30.
The Negro Motorist Green Book was published during the segregation era to identify restaurants, boarding homes, and more safe spaces for Black travelers.
The Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center will open a new exhibition looking at the Green Book and the local businesses featured in it.
International trumpeter and musician Dr. Longineu Parsons II will perform during a brunch in the historic Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center.
Experience down-home delicacies with a Caribbean flair catered by Heart & SoulFood.
Tickets are $55.
The St. Johns Cultural Council and Gamble Rogers Folk Festival have partnered to present Live from The Waterworks, featuring GRAMMY winner Dom Flemons with local duo Bad Dog Mama on June 17th.
Dom Flemons is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops with Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson. The group honored the legacy of their mentor, Joe Thompson, and the traditional string band music of North Carolina.
The Waterworks is an intimate historic venue built in 1898 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Doors open at 6:30 PM. Bad Dog Mama at 7 PM, Dom Flemons at 8 PM.
Tickets are $25-$50. Space is limited to 120 people.
Celebrating its 17th Anniversary, the St. Augustine Music Festival (SAMF) is the nation’s largest free chamber music festival was conceived to celebrate the rich artistic and cultural traditions of America’s Oldest City and bring classical music to diverse audiences in a welcoming environment.
In collaboration with the Ritz Chamber Players, the St. Augustine Music Festival presents the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Cathedral Basilica on Monday, June 19th at 7:30 PM.
This concert showcases works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor with featured artist Ann Marie McPhail.
Free and open to the public.