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!

Boston Centers for Youth & Families, the Public Facilities Department, the Mayor's Office of Housing, and Boston Public Schools are studying the feasibility of adding housing with a new community center and possibly an elementary school at the Jackson Mann School site in Allston-Brighton. The study tests a range of community center sizes based on the previously completed programming and siting study, as well as a mix of affordable and market-rate housing. 

Fathers in Cannabis brings together dispensaries and cannabis professionals for a father-led basketball tournament centered on community, connection, wellness, and culture. This high-energy event will feature dispensary vs. dispensary team matchups, community engagement, music, networking, and cannabis education throughout the day.

Come get Social in the City with us as we celebrate fathers, mentors, leaders, and community builders helping shape the future of the cannabis industry both on and off the court.

RegistER HERe 

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

BENTOPIA: Juneteenth Edition is a community-centered cultural experience taking place during BENTOPIA, the largest outdoor day party curated by B.ENT. This activation invites residents, consumers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders to engage with the City of Boston's Cannabis Industry Development Team around cannabis education, equity, culture, and the evolving future of cannabis in Boston, while celebrating Juneteenth and partying at BENTOPIA. 

Come get Social in the City with us on Juneteenth as we vend at BENTOPIA.

PLEASE NOTE: BENTOPIA is a ticketed, third-party event. We are participating as a vendor and are not hosting or managing the event. Please refer to the official organizers for tickets and event information. For More Information contact the organizers by text at 781.408.0612. 

get tickets online

 CONNECT WITH THE ORGANIZERS

High Hospitality explores how social consumption could intersect with Boston’s hospitality, nightlife, arts, wellness, and entertainment industries through the hospitality license type. This visual walkthrough will examine the possibilities, challenges, and operational considerations surrounding cannabis-friendly spaces designed for social engagement and curated experiences.

Attendees will see how hospitality-focused social consumption models could create new opportunities for businesses, partnerships, and  activation throughout the City. 

Come get Social in the City with us as we explore the future possibilities of cannabis hospitality 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

Join us for the kickoff event of the Fourth Annual Cannabis Empowerment Week 2026: Social in the City — an evening centered on education, conversation, and the future of social consumption in Boston.

Hosted by the City of Boston Cannabis Industry Development Team and the Boston Cannabis Board, this informational session will explore Boston’s anticipated municipal planning process, the three new social consumption license types, community impact considerations, and the statewide framework surrounding social consumption.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from City and State representatives, engage in discussion, ask questions, and learn more about how social consumption could shape hospitality, culture, nightlife, equity, and economic opportunity throughout Boston.

We will also meet and engage with newly appointed Cannabis Control Commissioner, Xiomara Albán DeLobato.  

Whether you are a business owner, entrepreneur, community member, advocate, consumer, or simply curious about social consumption this event is designed to inform, connect, and empower.

Get Social in the City with us as we kick off a week dedicated to cannabis education, equity, culture, and community.

REGISTER HERE

Looking for support getting connected to resources and navigating City services? Meet with the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement during our community office hours at the East Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library. 

Office hours will take place on the following days:

• First Thursday of every month from 4 - 7 p.m. at the East Boston branch
• Fourth Thursday of every month from 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Copley branch

Registration is not required, and interpretation and disability accommodations will be available.