In 1865, a Union general arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans that they were free and that the Civil War had ended. This news came two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people were free.

Since then, this significant moment in our country’s history has been celebrated in the Black community. It only became recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.

ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp has curated a list of area events organized in celebration of Juneteenth 2023, and area road closures.

• Juneteenth Road Closures
• What’s open, what’s closed

D.C.

1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20560
On Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the NMAAHC will host a community day when visitors can “explore the gifts of gardening and the culinary arts, hear stories, listen to music, and discover their inner artist with crafts for all ages.” The public is also invited to visit the Museum’s galleries, grounds, and Sweet Home Café.

 

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The Michelle Obama Southeast Center | 1700 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
On Saturday, June 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Bread for the City will team up with Mema’s Popups for their annual Juneteenth celebration featuring music, performances and presentations, featuring dining and shopping options from various Black-owned businesses. Chocolate City Soul will perform from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

U Street Corridor | 2100 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
On Saturday, June 17, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., an R&B bar crawl will take place “with at least 7 popular U Street Bars and Clubs to hop to, All Day drink specials, 7 DJs spinning.” RegMoPromo, which is hosting the event, says on its events page, “This one is for the lovers and the friends!”

1900 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
On Monday, June 19, from noon to 6 p.m., this Juneteenth Festival is free and open to the public. The event will include giveaways, a children’s corner, music and more.

2501 Mill Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
On Monday, June 19, at 11 a.m., the Black Georgetown Foundation will host a walking tour where you can learn about the D.C. Emancipation Compensation Act, which freed 3,100 enslaved people in D.C. Participants will visit the Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society cemeteries. The sacred space served as a refuge on the Underground Railroad.

Maryland

Watkins Regional Park | 301 Watkins Park Dr., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
On Saturday, June 17, from noon to 5 p.m., this annual countywide festival will feature live entertainment, food, vendors, arts and history activities for all ages. You’re encouraged to bring your blankets and lawn chairs to this “joyous day of celebration of African American history and culture.”

 

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BlackRock Center for the Arts | 12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown, MD 20874
On Saturday, June 17, from noon to 10 p.m., Rockville and Montgomery County will host a Juneteenth festival featuring live music, food, art, films and awards.

Howard County Community College — Smith Theatre | Campus Dr., Columbia, MD 21044
On Sunday, June 18, at 7 p.m., the HCCAAC will host a program of spirituals, art, song and opera by Black composers.

St. John Baptist Church | 9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia, MD 21045
On Monday, June 19, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the HCCAAC will host “Black History 365: A Truthcentric View of History.”

Virginia

Frying Pan Farm Park | 2709 West Ox Rd, Herndon, VA 20171
On Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrate African American stories, food, music and contributions to American spiritual life. Activities will include storytelling, live music, crafts, history and food trucks.

 

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Bull Run Regional Park | 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, VA 20121
On Saturday, June 17, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, join NOVA Parks and Fairfax County NAACP for the Bull Run Church and Harris Cemetery Juneteenth Celebration. It will include a poetry reading, musical performances and an inspirational message by guest speaker Bishop Brett Fuller, Washington Commanders Chaplain and founder of Grace Covenant Church. There will also be a Black Expo and a children’s activity.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre | 12229 Bristow Rd, Bristow, VA 20136
On Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., “in honor of Juneteenth,” learn the stories of people and events that reshaped the area following the Civil War. Some walking will be involved. Lunch and transportation will be provided. The price is $80.

Juneteenth Road Closures

Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
17th Street from Good Hope Road to T Street, SE
The street will be posted as Emergency No Parking and closed to vehicle traffic
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Monday, June 19, 2023 from 12 to 6 p.m.
Vermont Avenue NW, between U and T Streets
Vermont will be closed to vehicle traffic

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includes a host of events this month, including the Saturday, May 6, embassy tour that’s curated by Ěýto encourage and inspire residents to learn about the District’s diplomatic community.

“I love the cultural diversity and the inclusiveness,” Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates said. “This gives us an opportunity and the embassies an opportunity to just share their culture and what their country has to offer.”

Participants can expect to learn about cultural traditions through food, fashion, art and music. In previous years, embassies have held karate demonstrations, K-pop dance competitions and sari wrapping lessons.

There is also a physical souvenir passport that participants are encouraged to use as they tour the embassies. An is also available to help visitors navigate the embassies while touring.

As preparation begins for Saturdays festivities, ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp spoke with a few ambassadors to the United States about what to expect during guests visits to embassies.

“We’ll have stations where you will see and witness the diversity of Colombia,” Colombian said during ĂŰĚŇĘÓƵapp’s visit. “Also, you’ll have the opportunity to taste our Colombian food.”

Ambassador Murillo Urrutia, a history maker in his own right, will be there meeting visitors. He’s the first-ever Afro-Descendant Colombian Ambassador to the U.S.

When visitors stop by, they’ll be able to explore “Colombia: Land of Diversity,” an exhibit of the country’s vast array of experiences while sampling Colombian coffee. The embassy is also hosting a “Picture Yourself in Colombia” social media photo competition.

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For over a decade, the has been participating in Passport DC events, and they are pleased to welcome guests to the culture center this weekend.

“We’ve prepared a lot of cultural programs to introduce Oman,” Moosa Hamdan Al Tai, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States said.

Activities for adults and children will be offered.

“We have Arabic Calligraphy, where they can write their name in Arabic, and music. A lot about Oman and the Middle East to be introduced,” The ambassador said. “I hope when they walkout, they learn something more and that will be a bridge between our culture, the United States and our country.”

Here’s what to know if you plan on participating in the Passport DC Around the World Embassy Tour:

• Admission: Admission is free but reservations are recommended
• Event Time: Embassies are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)
• Getting there: Many embassies are within walking distance of the and Metro stations
• Parking: Street parking is available but difficult at many embassy locations
• Souvenir passports: They’ll be available at the Dupont Circle and Van Ness Information booths

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