Yesterday marked the 160th year since the U.S. Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, to declare that the approximately 250,000 enslaved people in the state were thereforth emancipated. The observance of this milestone in American history, known as Juneteenth, commemorates the freedom that generations of Black citizens have experienced since—even as civil-rights activists continue to push for fair treatment and equality for people of color in the present.
Because Juneteenth fell on a weekday this year, some Mississippians celebrated the holiday last weekend. Cities like Oxford, Tupelo, Biloxi, Hattiesburg and Yazoo City held festivities on June 14—the same day as the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, President Donald Trump’s birthday, and the dozens of “No Kings” protests held across the world. Many cities in the state honored Juneteenth by organizing celebrations and activities on Thursday, June 19, but a handful are continuing the festivities with events taking place through the weekend.
“Juneteenth is more than a celebration—it’s a sacred recognition of the struggle, sacrifice, and strength that brought us closer to freedom,” Greenville, Mississippi, Mayor Errick D. Simmons said in a statement on June 9. “As we honor our veterans and legacy, we continue the work of justice and unity for all.”
Read on for details about Juneteenth goings-on scheduled for this weekend in multiple cities across the state, and browse our Events Calendar for other upcoming activities to consider..
Jackson
At the Patton House and Gallery (512 N. State St., Jackson), “Diaspora: Rooted” will allow attendees to sample Caribbean, African and southern cuisines; screen a documentary that explores the stories of food, identity and liberation across the diaspora; and dance to music within the Afrobeat, reggae and southern-soul genres. Notable guests include curator Niketa Pechan, Briarwood Arts Center Founder Stephen Brown, Jamaican film director Mikey T. Campbell, and Jamaican culinary interpreter and food activist Peter Ivey.
Ticket prices vary, but general admission is currently under $25 online. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20, and continues until 10:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Jackson’s historic Farish Street neighborhood will play host to the ninth-annual Juneteenth on Farish on Saturday, June 21, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The festival is free and open to the public and will feature live music, food and craft vendors, games, and other activities.
Rounding out the metro area’s festivities is a screening of “Farming Freedom: The Inspiring Story of Black Land Ownership in Mississippi” on Sunday, June 22, at the Two Mississippi Museums (222 North St., Jackson) inside the Craig H. Neilson Auditorium starting at 2 p.m. The documentary shares the story of a Bolivar County family of farmers and discusses the history of challenges many formerly enslaved landowners faced during Reconstruction and beyond.
Afterward, director Kayla Thomas, filmmaker Henry Harris and Tamu Green of SR1’s Agriculture and Food Department will participate in a panel discussion under the moderation of journalist Howard Ballou to cover topics raised in the documentary.
Gulfport
Coastal Mississippian adults can make their way to the Press Box Daiquiri Lounge (1302 26th Ave., Gulfport) on Friday, June 20, for the Daiquiris & Dashikis Juneteenth Street Party, which starts at 8 p.m. and goes until midnight. The $5 admission fee enters patrons into a raffle for prizes such as a gift basket and a gallon of the lounge’s specialty Juneteenth daiquiri to take home. Proceeds from the night benefit the Gulfport Juneteenth Mary Spinks-Thigpen Scholarship Fund, which supports local youth in their educational pursuits.
Radio station JZ 94.5, in collaboration with the City of Gulfport, will be holding its annual Juneteenth celebration at the intersection of 19th Street and 31st Avenue on Saturday, June 21, starting at 2 p.m. and ending at 6 p.m. This year’s iteration pays a special tribute to Jackson County’s own Dr. Calvin Huey, a decorated seaman and physician who was also the first African-American service member to play in the long-running Army-Navy football game.
Festivities will include live-music performances, food and craft vendors, games, and a competition for high-school musicians who will have the opportunity to earn cash prizes while performing in front of judges from labels like Atlantic Records and Def Jam. Admission is free.
Over at the West Side Water Park (4010 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport), families can revel in the Gulfport City-Wide Juneteenth Celebration event, held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. The festival, organized by the Griots Society of Gulfport, will have live entertainment from local artists, kids activities, a fashion show, cooking demonstrations and more than 70 vendors selling various goods.
Moss Point
In the nearby city of Moss Point, nonprofits Girls A.R.E. and Boys C.A.N. and The 200 Men Stand have collaborated to host Juneteenth 228 at Second Street Park on Saturday, June 21. Starting at noon, the celebration will include vendors, food trucks and tables offering information about local resources. Admission is free.
Greenville
The Local Organizing Committee of Mississippi has organized a multi-day series of events commemorating Juneteenth. On Friday, Cee Bee’s Banquet Hall (136 S. Walnut St., Greenville) will be having a pageant starting at 7 p.m. Saturday’s free parade and festival at Historical Nelson Street (318 Poplar St., Greenville) will feature vendors and entertainment, including a performance by the group Variety. Finally, on Sunday, Mt. Horeb Baptist Church (524 Nelson St., Greenville) will lead an 11 a.m. sermon that touches on themes inspired by the holiday.
Natchez
The Natchez-Adams County Branch of the NAACP has sponsored the “Bridging the Gap from Past to Present” community Juneteenth celebration, scheduled for Friday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Concord Quarters (301 Gayosa St., Natchez). The free program will feature cultural exhibits, activities for children, live entertainment, oral storytelling, food, vendor booths and other family activities.
Additionally, in honor of the holiday, the Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum (9 St. Catherine St., Natchez) will open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering free tours and refreshments. The building, also known as the John Banks House, was the home of Natchez’ first Black physical and served as a hub for civil-rights activists in the 1960s.
Meridian
The City of Meridian has organized a Juneteenth Heritage Festival weekend that kicked off on Thursday with a gospel celebration at Temple Theatre and continues on Friday at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, better known as the Max, with the 2025 Black Business Expo. Starting at 6 p.m., the event will include live music, food trucks and Mississippi vendors selling their wares. Line dancing kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at City Hall Lawn in downtown Meridian, followed by a fireworks display at 10 p.m.
Columbus
The Juneteenth Music Festival at Sim Scott Park is a two-day affair starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 20, and at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. Lowndes County District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks said the music festival will showcase seven performers and about 10 food vendors.
Earlier on Saturday morning, the city’s fourth-annual Juneteenth parade will begin at 9 a.m., starting at the Roger Short Soccer Complex (301 3rd St. N., Columbus) and traveling through downtown Columbus before ending at the Municipal Complex.
Magee
At Marvin Jackson Park (516 8th St. NE, Magee), the Citywide Juneteenth Celebration begins on Saturday, June 21, at 9 a.m. with a parade followed by a “gospel explosion” and a series of guest speakers at 10 a.m. The Kids Zone, food trucks and local vendors will be set up by noon, and line dancing and a “southern soul” concert will take place later that afternoon. Someone will also be named “Miss Juneteenth” during the day’s festivities.
For more Mississippi events and activities, visit our Events Calendar.
