Birthplace of Juneteenth Celebrates Emancipation with Festivities in Galveston

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Mary Beth Bassett,
Visit Galveston
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The historic beach town celebrates the now national holiday with parades, festivals, picnics, Black heritage exhibits, reenactments, concerts and more.

From June 9-30, the Galveston Railroad Museum hosts The Pullman Porters: A Tribute to Juneteenth Exhibit, which tells the extraordinary story of human resilience, tenacity and fortitude of the men who served aboard luxury railroad sleeping cars and the great lengths they endured to keep the rail system moving.

On June 19, the Juneteenth Parade and Picnic begins at 3 p.m. at 26th and Ball Avenue and continues to Wright Cuney Park, 41st and Ball, with the community picnic.

These are two of the many events on the island that will commemorate the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth. A complete list of Galveston Juneteenth events can be found at www.visitgalveston.com/juneteenth.

Galveston Island Juneteenth Festival & Celebration
On June 13, the public is invited to a celebration featuring live entertainment, food vendors and local entrepreneurs. The event will take place from 1-8 p.m. at Menard Park, 2222 28th St.

The Underground Railroad and Living History with the Buffalo Soldiers
Taking place at the oldest residence in Galveston, the 1838 Menard House, the Buffalo Soldiers will host a reenactment of an encampment offering an inspiring glimpse into their legacy. On June 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., families are invited to bring a lunch to enjoy on the property’s grounds and celebrate freedom, resilience and community.

Juneteenth: Voices of Freedom at The Bryan Museum
A curated poetry showcase will honoring the legacy, resilience and cultural impact of Black voices featuring a lineup of renowned artists from the Galveston and Houston area brings together the spoken word, music and community June 18, from 6-8 p.m. at The Bryan Museum, 1325 21st St.

Galveston Island Juneteenth Music Festival & Fireworks
On June 19, Menard Park, 2222 28th St., hosts a day long cultural celebration with live music, community tributes, cultural activities and fireworks along the Gulf. Performances from gospel to blues to jazz to Tejano honors the history and legacy of Juneteenth. Performances begin at 1 p.m. with fireworks from the City of Galveston starting at 9:15 p.m. The festival is free and open to the public.

Juneteenth Family Fun Day, Honoree Recognition and Emancipation March
The Reedy Chapel AME Church was the last site on General Gordon Granger’s march through Galveston on June 19, 1865 to read General Orders No. 3 and declare all enslaved people in Texas free. It was also the site of early Juneteenth celebrations in which freed slaves marched from the county courthouse to the church, an annual tradition that is carried out to this day as part of the island’s Juneteenth celebrations. This year’s family fun day will take place on June 19 from 12 – 6 p.m.

Galveston Island also offers opportunities to experience Juneteenth year-round with a variety of sites, attractions and tours.

Absolute Equality Mural and NIA Cultural Center
The “Absolute Equality” mural, which illustrates the journey of Black Americans out of slavery into freedom, was recently added to Galveston’s rich history-focused attractions. The 5,000-square-foot mural, created by Houston-based Reginald C. Adams, was painted on the side of the Old Galveston Square building, located at 22nd and Strand in downtown Galveston.

Freedom Walk Tour
The self-guided Freedom Walk guides participants through five historic sites that played a crucial role in Juneteenth including Pier 21 and the Middle Passage, The Absolute Equality Mural and Nia Cultural Center, US Customs House, Reedy Chapel, 1859 Ashton Villa. See the map here.

“And Still We Rise…” Exhibit at Ashton Villa
And Still We Rise… Galveston’s Juneteenth Story is located in the carriage house of the 1859 Ashton Villa and is overseen by Galveston Historical Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee. The interactive exhibit introduces the context and consequences of General Order No. 3 from 1865 to the present. For more information, head to www.galvestonhistory.org

Juneteenth and Beyond Guided Tours
Juneteenth and Beyond is Galveston's first African American guided history tour franchise. The guided tours provides an opportunity to experience the heritage of Juneteenth. To book a tour and explore historical Galveston sites, visit www.juneteenthandbeyond.com

Galveston African American History Tour & App
Galveston’s African American History Tour, found on the Visit Galveston app, allows visitors to take a self-guided journey to learn about the island’s historically black institutions and monuments celebrating black accomplishments. To access the tour, go to www.visitgalveston.com

About Galveston Island
Galveston Island, Texas is a resilient historic beach town located 50 miles south of Houston. The birthplace of Juneteenth and home to the second largest immigration port into the U.S. in the 1880s, today Galveston Island is a major tourism destination for Texas and beyond. Galveston offers miles of beaches, top-tier museums, family attractions, plus special events and festivals. Galveston’s port is the fourth busiest for cruise passengers in North America and the island eagerly welcomes more than eight million visitors each year. To plan your Galveston Island experience, go to www.visitgalveston.com. 

Media Assets: Images and B-Roll can be found at www.visitgalveston.com/media.

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