Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a powerful celebration of liberation, community, and Black joy. It commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. This moment marked the true enforcement of freedom for most of the last remaining enslaved Black people in the United States.

While Juneteenth celebrations have long been a staple in African American communities, it wasn’t until June 17, 2021, that it became a federally recognized holiday in the United States. Since then, Juneteenth has blossomed into a national moment for reflection, education, and most importantly, celebration. It’s a time for families to honor our past, embrace our culture, and look toward a future filled with hope and possibility.

If you’re wondering how to make this Juneteenth special for your family, here are some fun and meaningful ways to celebrate together.

1. Host a Juneteenth Cookout or Potluck

Nothing brings families together like good food and good conversation. Host a backyard cookout or picnic at a local park featuring classic soul food dishes and summer favorites like BBQ ribs, collard greens, mac and cheese, red velvet cake, and strawberry soda (the red symbolizes resilience and bloodshed in the struggle for freedom). Ask everyone to bring a dish that ties to their family history or culture and share the stories behind it.

2. Create a Family Freedom Art Project

Grab the crayons, paint, glitter, and poster board. Encourage your children to express what freedom means to them through visual art. Whether it’s painting portraits of ancestors, drawing African patterns, or designing their own Juneteenth flag, this is a great way to spark discussion and creativity.

Bonus: Display the finished masterpieces around your home or host a mini “Freedom Gallery” in your living room! Buy Kid Art frames to make your gallery feel authentic.

3. Attend a Local Juneteenth Festival or Parade

Many cities now host Juneteenth festivals featuring live music, dance performances, food trucks, art vendors, and educational booths. Check your city’s events calendar and plan a day of fun and culture. These community gatherings are perfect for supporting Black-owned businesses and watching your kids dance to the beat of freedom.

4. Take a Historical Day Trip

Turn Juneteenth into a teachable moment by visiting a museum or historical landmark that highlights African American history. Whether it’s a trip to a nearby heritage site, civil rights museum, or a virtual tour of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, this activity will help kids connect the past to the present. Don’t forget to support the museum by becoming a member!

5. Read Books That Celebrate Black History and Joy

Set aside story time as a family and choose children’s books or young adult titles that focus on Juneteenth, Black heroes, or cultural pride. Some great picks include:

• The Juneteenth Story by Alliah L. Agostini
• Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
• All Different Now by Angela Johnson

You can also have a family read-aloud session, where each person picks a book or passage to share.

6. Watch Family-Friendly Juneteenth Films or Documentaries

Turn movie night into a celebration! Films like Remember the Titans, Hidden Figures, and Soul are entertaining and spark meaningful conversations about race, resilience, and identity. Pair it with popcorn and red punch to keep the theme going.

7. Celebrate with Music and Dance

Have a dance party! Put on a Juneteenth playlist full of soul, gospel, hip-hop, Afrobeats, and jazz. Turn your living room into a dance floor, or better yet, teach your kids some classic line dances like the Electric Slide or the Cupid Shuffle. Music is a beautiful way to celebrate culture, freedom, and joy.

8. Make Freedom Vision Boards

Sit down as a family and create vision boards that reflect dreams for the future. Ask questions like: What does freedom mean to you today? What kind of world do you want to help build? This is a perfect opportunity to teach children about goal setting, empowerment, and legacy.

Why It’s Important to Celebrate Juneteenth

Juneteenth is more than just a day off work or a summer festival; it’s a sacred time to honor the strength of our ancestors, to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to recommit ourselves to the journey ahead. Celebrating Juneteenth with your family nurtures cultural pride, intergenerational connection, and hope.

When we take time to laugh, dance, learn, and love together, we’re not just remembering the past—we’re shaping the future. Let Juneteenth serve as a reminder that Black history is American history, and Black joy is a form of resistance. Let it be loud, proud, and full of love.