Join us for the 2026 Beacon Hill Juneteenth Celebration, a free community block party on Joy Street hosted by the Museum of African American History. This vibrant festival is part of the nation's 250th anniversary commemoration — a day of music, art, food, storytelling, and community connection, with more than 1,000 attendees expected from across Greater Boston.

The Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

Event Highlights

Joy Street Takeover — A pedestrian-only cultural corridor featuring local Black Boston area vendors, art, music, food trucks, and storytelling.

Main Stage Performances — Live music, spoken word, and performances celebrating Black history and freedom.

Family Zone — Hands-on art, puppetry, face painting, story time, music, and fun for kids of all ages.

Ujima Food and Vendor Marketplace — Black-owned food trucks and local Black artisan vendors.

Wellness and Reflection Area — Drumming and dedicated space for healing and community connection.

Free Museum Access — Complimentary admission and mini tours of the historic African Meeting House and Abiel Smith School.

This event is hosted by the Museum of African American History | Boston and Nantucket, a City of Boston community partner. For more information, visit maah.org.

 Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Today, Juneteenth stands as a celebration of freedom, remembrance, and the ongoing pursuit of equity and justice.

Theme for 2026 "Juneteenth Brings Balance to America's Celebration of Freedom"

The ceremony will feature remarks from City leaders, a keynote address, a flag raising, musical performances, cultural traditions, food, and community gathering.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026

Time: 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location: Boston City Hall Plaza and Boston City Hall 3rd Floor Mezzanine

This event is free and open to the public.

Program Highlights

• Welcome remarks from City leadership
• Juneteenth reflection and moment of remembrance
• Libation ceremony honoring ancestors and community history
• Keynote address
• Juneteenth proclamation
• Official Juneteenth flag raising ceremony
• Live music and cultural performances
• Community gathering featuring traditional Juneteenth foods and educational displays

Additional Juneteenth Events

Attendees will also be able to learn more about additional Juneteenth celebrations and community events taking place throughout Boston.

Updates and more info

Are you looking to grow your artistic practice and build a thriving creative career in Boston? Join the Arts Action Consortium, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, and Spark Boston at this free Artist Resource Fair to connect with Boston’s vibrant network of resources and support.

Featuring:

• An art supply swap
• A dance clothing swap
• Access to City departments and arts service organizations
• Free 1:1 arts business coaching
• Free 1:1 physical therapy evaluations
• and more!

Alongside resource sharing, the event will invite creatives into an open dialogue space focused on what artists need to thrive in Boston - from affordable studios and venues to sustainable career pathways. By bringing artists, advocates, and city agencies into conversation, the AAC Resource Fair aims to strengthen Boston’s creative ecosystem and help shape a more sustainable, artist-centered city.

Whether you’re an emerging artist or an established creative, this is a unique opportunity to build connections, gain valuable knowledge, and deepen your engagement with Boston’s arts community. Don’t miss your chance to discover the tools, resources, and relationships that can support and elevate your artistic journey!

Juneteenth Elevated brings Cannabis Empowerment Week into the community as we join the historic Juneteenth Celebration at Franklin Park.

Stop by our tent and connect with the Cannabis Industry Development Team, explore educational resources, ask questions about social consumption and cannabis policy, and engage in conversations surrounding equity, opportunity, and community impact.

Come get Social in the City with us and enjoy a day of unity, joy, and liberation as we honor history while embracing the future.

Event Disclaimer: The Juneteenth Celebration is organized by a third party. We are participating as a vendor only and are not responsible for event production or overall event operations. For more information, event details and policies, please refer to the official event organizers. 

REGISTER HERE

LIVE and LIT: Curated Cannabis Events is an exploration of what cannabis-centered event experiences could potentially look like in Boston through the event organizer license type. Through a live visual walkthrough, guests will experience operational concepts, event flow, entertainment integration, compliance considerations, and curated social environments designed around cannabis-friendly programming and experiences.

This interactive educational experience explores how cannabis could intersect with live entertainment, festivals, art, music, culture, nightlife, and special events throughout the City.

Come get Social in the City with us as we explore the future possibilities of curated cannabis events in Boston.

REGISTER HERE

This session is a wonderful opportunity for organizations, businesses, and community members to learn everything you need to know about hosting a public event in Boston, from permits and logistics to planning processes and available City resources.

Registration Link

Register for the online meeting

This session is designed not only to share what the City is planning, but to create space for community groups, leaders, and organizations to share their own events, ideas, and priorities for the summer.

Zoom Link