8 Juneteenth celebrations in Greenville, SC

This will be the third Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration at the Peace Center.

This will be the third Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration at the Peace Center. | Photo by the Peace Center

Juneteenth is this weekend, Sun., June 19, commemorating the day slavery was abolished in the US, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

This week marks one year since Juneteenth was officially announced as a federal holiday — the first national holiday to be signed into law since MLK Day in 1983.

There are several events taking place to celebrate + commemorate the holiday that you won’t want to miss.

Friday

  • Juneteenth at Unity Park | Fri., June 17 | 4 p.m. | Prisma Health Welcome Center at Unity Park | Free | Listen to poetry readings, view art + enjoy jazz music from local performers and artists.
  • Juneteenth GVL Gala: Black Tie & Kente Affair | Fri., June 17 | 7-11 p.m. | Embassy Suites Resort, 670 Verde Blvd. | $150 | Get ready to hit the red carpet at this celebration with music performances and a fashion show while enjoying cocktails + dinner. Proceeds will help provide 6 scholarships to African American young adults in the county, the biggest going to Mr. & Miss. Juneteenth, which will be presented at the Juneteenth GVL Mega Fest.

Saturday

  • Juneteenth GVL Mega Fest | Sat., June 18 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Falls Park | Free entry | Enjoy a full day of art, live music, food + games at this inaugural event.
  • Juneteenth Soul Food Festival | Sat., June 18 | 12-6 p.m. | 110 Depot St., Fountain Inn | Free entry | Celebrate the theme “Together, We Have Power” on Main Street with food, live music + spoken word.
  • Juneteenth GVL Mega Fest 5k & Yoga with Vets | Sat., June 18 | 7-10 a.m. | Falls Park | Prices vary | Run or walk in the race + participate in a restorative yoga practice in remembrance of veterans and Black soldiers who fought during the Civil War.
  • 2nd Annual Black History Vendor Exposition | Sat., June 18 | Phillis Wheatley Community Center, 335 Greenacre Rd. | Free Entry | Shop, eat, and celebrate Juneteenth at this exposition to raise money for the nonprofit Young-Afro Excellence.

Sunday

  • 2022 Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration | Sun., June 19 | 2-7 p.m. | TD Stage at the Peace Center | Free entry | Join the Peace Center for its third annual celebration with live music from local artists, local food vendors, children’s activities + a Blood Drive.
  • Say What Poetry Open Mic Celebrates Juneteenth | Sun., June 19 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Coffee Underground, 1 E. Coffee St. | $10 | Hear from local poets of all styles + play poetry games in the longest-running open mic in South Carolina every Sunday at Coffee Underground.
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