Juneteenth, first recognized as a national holiday last year, celebrates June 19, 1865, the date when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to free the remaining enslaved people in the United States. Here are some events where you can celebrate this momentous day.

June 18

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration. Come together with us for a powerful day of freedom, unity, and celebration! We're honoring the spirit of Juneteenth with: Live Entertainment, Music & Dance, Food & Drinks, Fun, Games, Local Amateur Performers – including spoken word artists, dancers, and musicians! Poughkeepsie. 12pm. 

June 19

5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration. This culture-filled family-friendly event honors the historic emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States and celebrates the enduring contributions of Black culture, community, entrepreneurship and excellence. Live Music & Performances Featuring local artists, spoken word poets, drummers & FREE digital portraits. Cultural Vendors & Artisan Market Shop from Black-owned businesses, artisans, and food vendors offering everything from handmade crafts to soul food favorites. Community Film Screening In collaboration with the paramount theater, FREE dual screening of American Fiction. Juneteenth is not only a commemoration of freedom but also a celebration of the strength, creativity, and resilience of the Black community. We invite everyone to join us in unity, reflection, and joy. The celebration is free and open to the public. The first 50 community members will receive a FREE culture filled swag bag. Come for the history, stay for the culture, and leave inspired by the power of community. Click the event link for times and locations. Middletown. 11am. 

5th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee. It's almost time for the 5th Annual MWLC Juneteenth Jubilee! A celebration of triumph and history and learning about Juneteenth with the New Paltz community. This is the 5th year in a row we will host an all-day extravaganza to help honor and remember the formerly enslaved Africans that were integral to the Village of New Paltz’s history. Mark your calendar and join us! We have a full day of fun and learning including AFRICAN DRUMMING BY AMADOU DIALLO, BLACK HISTORY MOMENT WITH ALBERT COOK, MUSICAL PERFORMANCE BY 7he 7EAM BAND, and many more. New Paltz. 10am. 

Juneteenth Memorial Unveiling at Waryas Park. Gather in Waryas Park on the Poughkeepsie Waterfront as the Poughkeepsie-based organization Celebrating the African Spirit honors the rich history of enslaved Africans and their descendants who shaped this community with the installation of a Memorial Marker, which has been designed by young people of color. Poughkeepsie. 6pm. 

Juneteenth Riverfront Festival at Pete & Toshi Seeger Park. Enjoy live music, food trucks, marching bands, vendors and more at this third-annual Juneteenth celebration on the Beacon riverfront. This event is presented by the Beacon4BlackLives grassroots organization and Bosco & The Storm, a Beacon-based R&B band. Beacon. 11am. 

June 21

8th Annual Juneteenth Festival. The event will begin with the Honoring the Ancestors Procession and Ceremony, from the Pine Street African Burial ground towards Academy Green Park @ 10am. Following, there will be a free Cultural Arts Festival, featuring local vendors, food, inspirational speakers, and live music and dance performances. This event is free to attend and open to the public. Kingston. 10am. 

9th Annual Town of Highlands' Juneteenth Parade & Flag Raising. Parade Line up begins at 10:45 am outside of West Point's Thayer Gate on Main St, where the West Point Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club will lead our March to Memorial Park, proudly holding the Juneteenth Flag. Parade/March will step off, southbound on Main Street in Highland Falls, NY and proceed down to Memorial Park for the Juneteenth Flag Raising & short program! This Year’s Honorees: Wilbur Aldridge Gato Smith & Jemika Hall. ALL ARE WELCOMED TO MARCH in the parade or drive your decorated vehicle to showcase your Juneteenth pride! Highland Falls. 11am. 

Liss: Slave, Servant, Spy. In Honor of Juneteenth, performers Jim and Karla Keyes will bring to life the story of Liss, a woman enslaved by the Townsend family, whose son Robert became George Washington's lead spy in Manhattan during the Revolutionary War. Evidence suggests that Liss may have been a secret agent for the famous Culper spy ring. This dramatic storytelling will shed light on Liss’ little-known story, expanding the spotlight on African American contributions to the War effort. Program is FREE and Family-Friendly! Fort Montgomery. 1pm. 

June 22

Colonial Crossroads Juneteenth Concert. On June 19th, 1865, enslaved people living in Texas were freed. With Texas being the last place in the traitorous Confederacy that the Emancipation Proclamation to reach, that day became synonymous with the freeing of enslaved people in America. Now a federal holiday, the name is derived from combining "June" and "nineteenth". Musical group Carla and Keyes, Carla Lynne Hall and Jim Keyes present a family friendly interpretation of African and European traditions and instruments that influenced each other during the Colonial and Revolutionary years. The audience is encouraged to participate in call-and-response and body percussion techniques. Jim is a multi-instrumentalist who uses baroque guitar, mandolin, mountain dulcimer and recorders to perform European music from the Colonial Era. Carla represents the African side of Colonial America through stories and songs performed on Shekere and Djembe. Clermont. 1pm. 

June 22

Juneteenth Concert with Blue Hearts Jazz. Join Blue Hearts Jazz for a concert in celebration of Juneteenth. Join Blue Hearts Jazz for a concert in celebration of Juneteenth. Enjoy a performance of works by African American composers from the Great American Songbook spanning the Swing through the Bebop eras of modern jazz. Newburgh. 2pm.