How to celebrate Juneteenth in Birmingham this year—Thursday, June 19th + beyond

Every June 19th, we honor what’s become known as Juneteenth, a day to mark—and celebrate—the end of slavery in the United States. It’s become an important way to recognize the efforts and struggles of Black Americans, and it’s both a federally-recognized and locally-celebrated holiday.

We’ve gathered a guide to Juneteenth celebrations around the city this year. Schedule plans now to make the most of this important holiday.

Free health screenings + wellness resources: Saturday, June 14th

• What: Wellness Day with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
• Where: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI), 520 16th St N
• When: Saturday, June 14th 10AM-2PM
• Cost: free!
• What to expect: In addition to the health and wellness screenings, the BCRI is partnering with UAB’s Live HealthSmart Alabama + Jones Valley Teaching Farm to provide workshops on seed planting, food justice and small farming.
• What to do: To register for a screening, call 205.996.2304 and leave a voicemail with your first name, last name, phone number and the desired date and time for your appointment.
• What to know: Prioritizing your health is a form of well-being, and caring for your health is a form of liberation, according to organizers.

Adult craft day: Tuesday, June 17th

• What: Color Our World is an opportunity to craft + color your own Juneteenth flag from provided supplies.
• Where: Titusville Public Library, 2 6th Ave SW
• When: Tuesday, June 17th 10:30AM
• Cost: free!
• What to do: Register by calling 205-322-1140; more details here

View an important documentary: Tuesday, June 17th

• What: Explore the spiritual connection and importance behind the holiday via a showing of the PBS documentary “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom.”
• Where: Centerpoint Public Library, 533 Sunhill Rd NW
• When: Tuesday, June 17th 11AM
• Cost: free!
• What to do: Find more info here.

Network with Black business owners: Tuesday, June 17th

• What: Learn from Black-owned business owners who’ve become pillars in Birmingham like Patricia Ashford, Robert Hill and moderator Kenya Buchanan.
• Where: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th St N
• When: Tuesday, June 17th 5-7PM
• What to do: Register + find more info here.

Learn + enjoy delicious soul food: Wednesday, June 18th

• What: Come for one or both of these back-to-back events: First, learn about the significance of this important holiday, why we should all be celebrating it and how to move forward with unity from 6-7PM, then stay for A Taste of Soul Food Dinner with chef Timothy Powell of O’Taste & See from 7-8PM. Dinner reservations are currently full, but you can sign up for the waitlist now.
• Where: Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Drive
• When: Wednesday, June 18th 6-8PM
• What to do: Register + find more info here for the lecture + here for dinner info and to join the waitlist.

Put on your best black dress or tie: Wednesday, June 18th

• What: Adults 21+, it’s time to dress up and show out at one of the events of the season, A Vibe Called Black. This black-tie (literally) event honors the achievements of local entrepreneurs and helps pave the way for future business leaders in the community.
• Where: The Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev Abraham Woods, Jr Blvd
• When: Wednesday, June 18th 8PM-12AM
• What to expect: Organizers request an all-black dress code with cocktail attire preferred. Enjoy dancing, networking and good times.
• Cost: from $76.54; a portion of proceeds will benefit young Black entrepreneurs. Ticket includes a welcome cocktail + light bites.
• What to do: more info here

Kick off Freedom Day with a parade: Thursday, June 19th

• What: Join others to help commemorate 160 years of Juneteenth celebrations at this key location on the Civil Rights trail in Birmingham.
• Where: Kelly Ingram Park, 500 17th St N
• When: Thursday, June 19th 9-10:30AM

Play a round of golf: Thursday, June 19th

• What: The NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) Birmingham’s 2nd annual Juneteenth D9 golf outing and fundraiser is a great way to spend some time outdoors with your fellow golfers.
• Where: Roebuck Golf Course, 8920 Roebuck Blvd
• When: Thursday, June 19th 7AM; 8AM shotgun start time
• Cost: From $50
• What to do: Find more info + registration here; all skill levels welcome, but bring your own clubs.

Celebrate all day at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: Thursday, June 19th

• What: The BCRI is honoring Juneteenth by offering free admission all day—if you haven’t yet toured their exhibits, this is a fantastic opportunity to check it out and be moved—and their schedule is packed with events. Look for lectures, a kids’ zone, mural painting, line dancing, food trucks and live broadcasts from 98.7 KISS FM + 95.7 JAMZ.
• Where: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th St N
• When: Thursday June 19th 11AM-5PM
• What to do: Reserve your tickets + find more info here.

Honor Black baseball legends: Thursday, June 19th

• What: Birmingham is hosting the 2025 East-West Classic on Juneteenth as a tribute to the Negro Leagues’ All-Star Games, a national tradition that began in 1933.
• Where: Historic Rickwood Field, 1137 2nd Ave W
• When: Thursday, June 19th 12PM for the homerun derby; first pitch is at 1:05PM
• What to expect: MLB legends like CC Sabathia, Ryan Howard and Adam Jones, who will reunite for a five-inning tribute game celebrating the heritage and impact of Black baseball. Other events include a home run derby, community events, and the unveiling of a newly refurbished field at Willie Mays Park in Fairfield.
• Cost: $12
• What to do: Buy tickets here.

Hit the block party: Thursday, June 19th

• What: The UAB Black alumni is hosting the ultimate block party with food trucks, DJs and local vendors to keep things lively.
• Where: Hemings, 1623 2nd Ave N #106
• When: Thursday, June 19th 2PM-7PM
• Cost: free!
• What to do: find more info here

Enjoy breakfast + fellowship: Friday, June 20th

• What: The Foundation of League of Gentlemen is hosting folks for breakfast, fellowship, live performances and historical storytelling. Families welcome.
• Where: Bill Harris Arena in Bessemer: 2337 Bessemer Rd
• When: Friday, June 20th 8:30AM
• Cost: $55
• What to do: purchase tickets here

Shop + stroll: Saturday, June 21st

• What: Juneteenth Pop-Up Shop in Ensley
• What to expect: Celebrate freedom and culture with music, games and family fun at this black history-themed pop-up event for local vendors
• Where: 1701 Ave E in Ensley
• When: Saturday, June 21st 12PM-6PM
• What to do: find details here

A festival: Saturday, June 21st

• What: The Sip & Sizzle Juneteenth Festival at Sloss Furnaces
• What to expect: A huge cookout with food vendors, plenty of drinks and vibes all around.
• Where: Sloss Furnaces: 20 32nd St N
• When: Saturday, June 21st 2-8PM
• Cost: from $30, includes 2 chef samplers + 2 drinks
• What to do: more info + tickets here

A 90s-themed block party: Saturday, June 21st

• What: The Juneteenth celebration continues into the following weekend with Lit on 8th’s Juneteenth Cookout Block Party
• What to expect: A backyard cookout + 90s vibes (dress to the theme). There’ll be BBQ, DJs playing 90s hits and card tables set up for games. Ages 21+ 
• Where: Lit on 8th: 518 Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd
• When: Saturday, June 21st 6-10PM
• Cost: from $17.85
• What to do: purchase tickets here

A jazzy Sunday afternoon: Sunday, June 22nd

• What: The 5th Annual Jazz Essence Experience
• What to expect: Features performers Dee Lucas, Jolanda Green and the Between 9&7 Band, as well as education segments on financial literacy, real estate and voter registration.
• Where: Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, 1101 Martin Luther King, Jr Drive
• When: Sunday, June 22nd 5PM

A concert with global + local roots: Thursday, June 26th

• What: An Evening of Global Voices: A joint concert by Elias Hendricks and Guy Bertrand
• What to expect: Birmingham’s own Elias Hendricks is a renowned opera star, and he’ll be paired up with Ghanaian tenor Guy Bertrand. They’ll be performing Opera Negro, traditional spirituals and African music—all to celebrate the global influence of Black artistry and heritage through the musical lens.
• Where: The Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev Abraham Woods, Jr Blvd
• When: Thursday, June 26th, 6-7PM
• Cost: free!
• More info: register to attend this free event here

A final brunch to close it out: Sunday, June 29th

• What: Kiwanis Club of Vulcan’s 3rd Annual Juneteenth Brunch
• What to expect: A delicious breakfast + fellowship—plus, funds raised will support scholarships for Birmingham students.
• Where: Alcove Birmingham, 1713 4th Ave N
• When: Sunday, June 29th 12-3PM
• Cost: $65.87
• More info: purchase tickets here.

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Explore these resources to learn more about Juneteenth

Now that you’ve plotted out how you’ll celebrate, here’s where to go to learn more about this important holiday:

• How Birmingham made the holiday official
• How to celebrate with events across Alabama
• Juneteenth.com
• The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
• 16th St Baptist Church’s expansion plans
• Winners of the 2025 Minority Business Awards in Birmingham
• The National Museum of African-American History and Culture

How will you celebrate Juneteenth, Birmingham? Let us know @bhamnow!