This month, several Little Rock events will honor Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. on June 19. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas after the Civil War in 1865 when enslaved people discovered they were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021.
Celebrations are taking place all across the city, and some have already gotten underway. Here are just a few options of where to join in:
Juneteenth in Da Rock
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will host the 16th annual Juneteenth in Da Rock Celebration on June 21 from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. This free festival will take place on historic Ninth Street with a block party for the whole family. There, you’ll find food trucks, activities for kids, vendor booths, educational opportunities and more, as well as a day full of live music. In the morning, the fourth annual Juneteenth 5K walk/run will tour through Little Rock’s Black historical sites beginning at 7 a.m. Click here for more information on Juneteenth in Da Rock.
ASO Jazz Quartet presented by Juneteenth in Da Rock
A free concert from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s jazz quartet will be held on June 20 in affiliation with the Mosaic Templars’ Juneteenth in Da Rock celebration. Honoring the legacy of African American emancipation, the concert will feature music by Black jazz composers and will be held outside on the lawn of the ASO Stella Boyle Smith Music Center from 5:30-7 p.m. For more information, click here.
The Art of the Abolitionist Movement with Aston Gonzalez, Ph.D.
On June 25 at 6 p.m., the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, in partnership with the Clinton Presidential Library and the Clinton Foundation, will welcome Aston Gonzalez, Ph.D., to speak about his book “Visualizing Equality: African American Rights and Visual Culture in the Nineteenth Century.” The free event, which is held in conjunction with the Arkansas Civic Education Institute, will include a moderated conversation that details how daguerreotypes, lithographs, cartes de visite and steam printing presses enabled artists to advocate for social reform. Click here for more information.
Juneteenth at the Little Rock Zoo
Commemorate Juneteenth at the Little Rock Zoo with special discounted days from June 19-21. All visitors will enjoy a $2 discount on regular admission to the zoo. Peruse the park and meet some local animal friends, take the kids on the carousel or express train and enjoy a fun meal at Café Africa. For more information, click here.
“Sounds in the Stacks” at CALS
CALS will host soulful singer/songwriter Kami Renee at the Dee Brown Library on Monday, June 23. The free concert takes place from 5-7 p.m. and is the perfect way to celebrate Juneteenth while enjoying live music. Click here for more information.
Juneteenth Creative Morning at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Honor Juneteenth through creativity during AMFA’s family-friendly drop-in artmaking activity on June 19. You’ll explore themes of resilience, freedom and community by creating a personal keepsake using photographs of you and your family taken and printed at the Museum. For more information, click here. AMFA is also hosting a special Artist Talk with Michael Grice on June 18. “Pine Bluff Through the Lens” features compelling photography by Geleve Grice and his son, Michael Grice. Click here for more information.
Juneteenth Freedom Ride
This year marks the inaugural Juneteenth Freedom Ride in Little Rock. Hosted by Rock Ryders, this free bike ride commemorates Juneteenth and is an inclusive, casual, family-friendly event. The ride takes place on Friday, June 20, at 6 p.m. and begins on historic Ninth Street. Along the ride, there will be many stops to appreciate historical places in the metro. All types of bikes are welcome and helmets are strongly recommended. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
River Market Live!
Don’t miss the first River Market Live! outdoor concert of the season featuring local artists Rodney Block & His All-Star Friends. Admission is free, and beer, soft drinks and water will be available for purchase to benefit the Art Porter Music Education, Inc. The concert takes place on Sunday, June 29, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the First Security Amphitheater. Click here for more information.
If you’re unable to participate in these activities, you can take the self-led Little Rock Civil Rights Tour, the Arkansas Civil Rights History Audio Tour or simply opt to spend the day in Black-owned Little Rock.