Historic Alexandria Invites Community to Commemorate Juneteenth 2026 with Day of Reflection, Music, and Festivities

Historic Alexandria Invites Community to Commemorate Juneteenth 2026 with Day of Reflection, Music, and Festivities

Historic Alexandria invites residents and visitors to commemorate Juneteenth on Friday, June 19, with a series of free, family-friendly events. Our events include a memorial program, a live concert, and a community festival.

The day begins with a Memorial Program at Douglass Cemetery (1421 Wilkes Street) from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The program will recognize those interested in the historic cemetery and their descendants. Keynote speaker Dr. Elgin Klugh, Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Applied Social and Political Sciences at Coppin State University, will lead reflections on the site's significancy and legacy.

At 1 p.m., the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices Concert will take place at Shiloh Baptist Church Worship Center (1401 Jamieson Avenue). The free performance will feature traditional African American storytelling and song while highlighting four Alexandria churches established during the Civil War: Shiloh Baptist Church, Beulah Baptist Church, Zion Baptist Church, and Third Baptist Church.

The day concludes with the Juneteenth Festival at Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) from 4 to 8 p.m. Opening remarks from Mayor Alyia Gaskins and a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" will kick off an evening of live Go-Go music, spoken word, junior cheer performances, line dancing, teen activities, and an Inova Blood Drive.

Visitors are also encouraged to explore Alexandria's African American heritage sites on Juneteenth. The Alexandria Black History Museum will offer extended hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with free admission for Alexandria residents. The Freedom House Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., while African American Heritage Park and the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial will be open from dawn to dusk.

Find out more about the history of Juneteenth and the City's celebrations at alexandriava.gov/Juneteenth.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at [email protected] or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email [email protected] or call 703-746-3960.

About the Office of Historic Alexandria

The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the history of the City of Alexandria with eight museums, historic sites, archives, archaeology, tours, exhibits, and public programs. Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City's past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serve as a partner in the City's equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.