In 2021, Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday, but June 19th has been of important significance for generations before that. Since its first celebration in Texas in 1865, the holiday commemorates the emancipation of all enslaved Black people in the U.S. Today, it’s honored with parades, festivals, educational events, art, and so much more. New Jersey has a host of different events honoring Juneteenth, and we’ve created a guide to local happenings here in Hudson County. Read on to see a list of Juneteenth events happening in Hoboken, Jersey City, and beyond in 2024.
This is a growing list. If you have an event to add, send us an email at [email protected].
Juneteenth History
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th. While Juneteenth has been celebrated throughout the country by many since the initial celebration in 1865, the day was officially recognized as a US Federal Holiday under President Biden in 2021. Known by many names including Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, or Juneteenth Independence Day, the holiday recognizes the time when enslaved Black people in Texas were notified of their freedom, more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863. You can read more about the history here.