Three years ago, Governor Murphy designated the third Friday in June as a State and public holiday, known as Juneteenth Day. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved people of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and their freedom.
While New Jersey will officially recognize the day on Friday, June 16th, the Federal holiday is celebrated on Monday, June 19th. New Jersey is one of 22 states that have designated Juneteenth as a legal holiday.
To honor the day, several towns throughout New Jersey are holding special events and celebrations all weekend long.
Here is a list below:
NEW BRUNSWICK – FRIDAY, JUNE 16
The Juneteenth commemoration will begin at 3:00pm with the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Flag Raising by Middlesex County Commissioners and the community at the Middlesex County Administration Building, 75 Bayard Street, New Brunswick.
NEWARK- SATURDAY, JUNE 17
The Newark Juneteenth Festival is being held on Bergen St., Newark, from 11AM -7PM. Call 973.733 3753 for more information.
MONDAY, JUNE 19
Newark is holding an Expungement Event at Good Neighbor Baptist Church, 100 Chancellor Ave, from 11AM – 2PM REGISTER: TINYURL.COM/JUNETEENTHNJ
The march and rally for reparations will be held at 2 p.m., starting at the Lincoln Statue, 12 Springfield Avenue in Newark. The statue is located at the intersection of Springfield Avenue and West Market Street.
UNION TOWNSHIP- SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Union Township holding a Juneteenth Festival at Rabkin Park from 12pm to 6pm, and features a day of community celebration, music, food art, and vendors. They will also be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop.
JERSEY CITY- SATURDAY, JUNE 17
A Freedom Day celebration is taking place from 1-7pm at Berry Lane Park, 1000 Garfield Ave., Jersey City.
MORRISTOWN- SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Sankofa’s Juneteenth Festival of Morris County – Noon to 5 PM
The Green and Pioneer Plaza, Morristown, NJ 07960
BURLINGTON CITY- SATURDAY, JUNE 17
CHAI Community Development Corporation’s Burlington Freedom Day 2023: A Juneteenth Celebration from 2 to 7 p.m. with music, food trucks, vendors, kid’s zone, crafts, games, performances and more.
SUNDAY, JUNE 18
Praise on the Promenade: A Gospel Music Celebration,”with varied performances, special guests, food, and music. The timeframe is also 2 to 7 p.m.
CAMDEN- SATURDAY AND SUNDAY- JUNE 17- JUNE 18
June 17 celebrations will be held at Wiggins Waterfront Park and the June 18th date will take place at Farnham Park from noon to 8 p.m. and will include live performances, including gospel and R & B music, spoken word, African dance and drum and more.
CHERRY HILL- SATURDAY, JUNE 17
The Cherry Hill African American Civic Association is hosting a full day of celebrations, with the third-annual parade and festival. Health screenings will be available from some of the top providers in the area. Festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Croft Farm.
MOUNT LAUREL- SATURDAY, JUNE 17
The township is holding its first Juneteenth event. Taking place from 12:00- 3:00 PM at Laurel Acres Park at 1045 S. Church Street. Join the Township for an afternoon with historical exhibits, vendors, educational information, live music, food trucks and more.
LAWNSIDE- SATURDAY, JUNE 17
In recognition of Juneteenth, Lawnside is hosting a 5K Walk/1 Mile Walk. The race will start at 8:00 AM at 323 E Charleston Ave Lawnside, NJ 08045.
WILLINGBORO – SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Willingboro is holding its 3rd Annual Juneteenth Festival at Millcreek Park from noon to 4 PM. Festivities include great food, music, fun, and cultural celebration.
MOORESTOWN – SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Perkins Center for the Arts and MooreUnity are hosting the 4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day at the Perkins Center. This day will be full of family fun, featuring inspirational music, African dance and drumming, food, educational presentations, and offerings from some of our favorite local Black-owned businesses!
SUMMIT – SATURDAY, JUNE 17
The Summit Department of Community Programs is hosting its second annual Juneteenth event. This free event is open to all members of the public on Summit’s Village Green.
Event to invlude a ceremony which will include a prayer, performance of the black national anthem, and a flag raising for the Juneteenth and Pan-African flags.
ELIZABETH – SUNDAY, JUNE 18
The city is hosting its Juneteenth Parade starting at 1pm at the Veterans Memorial Waterfront and ending at the First Presbyterian Church.
RED BANK – SUNDAY, JUNE 18
The Red Bank Parks and Recreation Department is holding its 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration. This commuity event will feature food trucks, live music, speakers and so much more. This event if free for all to attend and take place from 12-5pm in Johnny Jazz Park.
