A federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US, Juneteenth brings a slew of celebrations to the Silver State on or around June 19.
Juneteenth has been a national holiday since 2021, and there are a variety of ways to honor it in Nevada, starting as early as June 13. Not only is it a great time to support Black-owned businesses and learn about Black history in the Silver State, but you can also attend a Juneteenth event, from jazz concerts and art exhibits to family-friendly festivals.
Read on for 13 can’t-miss Juneteenth events in Nevada.
Reno
38th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Where: Idlewild Park, Reno
When: June 28, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Presented by the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society (NNBCAS), Reno’s 38th Annual Juneteenth Celebration is themed, “Honoring Our Ancestors, Empowering Our Future.” The festival will feature fun for all ages at Idlewild Park in downtown Reno, including food trucks, live entertainment, family games, local vendors, and the crowning of Miss Reno Juneteenth.
Teams of five, including at least one participant under age 12, are encouraged to sign up for the Family Games Tournament through June 20 to compete for prizes in activities like a sack race, three-legged race, and tug-of-war.
Las Vegas
Juneteenth at Winchester
Where: Winchester Dondero Cultural Center
When: June 13, 5-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy the stylings of Las Vegas poets, including Clark County Poet Laureate Ashley “Ms. AyeVee” Vargas, AA Monet, Mercedes Kerr, and Q at the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center. There will also be live music by R&B artist Scorpio, and a reception with mocktails and small bites.
Conversation with Ms. Dee
Where: West Las Vegas Library
When: June 18, noon-2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Chat with Juneteenth Nevada founder Deborah “Dee” Evans, a leader of National Juneteenth, the country’s official Juneteenth foundation. Juneteenth Nevada is the state’s
Doc Myers Jazz Jam
Where: West Las Vegas Library
When: June 18 at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy a night of jive jazz, dance, and storytelling at this Juneteenth Jazz Jam with music curated by composer, conductor, lyricist, and pianist Woody Woods.
Freedom: A Juneteenth Production
Where: Myron’s at The Smith Center
When: June 19 at 7 p.m.
Cost: From $40; get tickets
Acclaimed vocalist Michelle Johnson, known as the city’s “First Lady of Jazz,” presents Freedom: A Juneteenth Production on stage in Myron’s intimate cabaret theater at The Smith Center. Drawing from her West African roots, Johnson reflects on the meaning of Juneteenth and the resilience of the human spirit with an evening of spirituals, Broadway, jazz, and soul, along with dance, percussion, and spoken word.
The Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival
Where: Symphony Park
When: June 20, 4 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free; $6 to park in city garages, free shuttle from Doolittle Community Center every 30 minutes; RSVP
A Symphony Park-wide celebration with entertainment, food, and culture, the 25th Annual Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival is the city’s largest Juneteenth gathering. A community-focused event, it includes live music from Vegas-based DJ Kelly J, local vendors, cultural exhibits, and family activities.
Christopher Williams Live
Where: Myron’s at The Smith Center
When: June 20, 4 and 7 p.m.
Cost: $25; Get tickets
As part of the Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival, R&B legend Christopher Williams, whose hits include “Talk to Myself,” “I’m Dreamin’,” and “Every Little Thing U Do,” presents a night of soul, rhythm, and celebration on the stage at Myron’s.
High-energy Las Vegas bands Kyss Kyss & the Squad and Unc & the Nephews will also play. Ticket sales benefit the nonprofit Rainbow Dreams Educational Foundation (RDEF).
Juneteenth at Area15
Where: The Portal at Area15
When: June 19, 3 p.m.
Cost: More Info
Eclectic entertainment venue AREA15 will transform its 360-degree projection-mapping venue, The Portal, into an immersive, interactive hub of history and culture, including a curated marketplace of Black-owned businesses for Juneteenth.
Attractions at this Juneteenth celebration of freedom include a walking museum of Black history, an all-ages fashion show, live entertainment, and educational activities.
Henderson
Juneteenth Festival
Where: Water Street Plaza
When: June 19, 6-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head to the downtown Henderson Water Street Plaza for tons of live entertainment, cultural experiences, a vendor market, scholarship presentations, and community tributes during the Juneteenth Festival, presented by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation of Nevada.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with DJ Jerry Cartier, followed by spoken word artists at 6 p.m., including: award-winning Afro-Latina Las Vegas literary artist Ashley “Ms. AyeVee” Vargas; Las Vegas-based photographer, poet, and teaching artist Petit Monstre (known as Ryan Alexander); and Las Vegas poet, teacher, spoken word artist, and author Vanessa Williams (known as Poetic V).
Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Thunderstorm Artis, seen on The Voice and American Idol, takes the stage at 6:40 p.m. The musician is followed by the world-famous a cappella and audio pyrotechnics group Naturally 7 at 8 p.m.
Juneteenth in the Present: An Art Exhibition
Where: Henderson City Hall
When: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Nevada Arts Council presents Juneteenth in the Present: An Art Exhibition in the Henderson City Hall Art Gallery through July 20. This inspirational exhibit explores the journey to freedom and Juneteenth through a diverse array of art.
Henderson raised the Juneteenth flag at Henderson City Hall in early June.
North Las Vegas
Juneteenth Flag Raising
Where: Liberty Park
When: June 18, 8:30-9 a.m.
Cost: Free
Join the City of North Las Vegas to raise the Juneteenth Flag in front of City Hall.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Where: Prentiss Walker Memorial Park and Pool
When: June 19, noon-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Dive into a Juneteenth pool party with island jams and tons of sun at one of North Las Vegas’ newest pool facilities.
F.A.I.T.H. Freedom Festival
Where: Craig Ranch Regional Park Amphitheater
When: June 19, 6-9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the community for the 4th annual F.A.I.T.H. Freedom Festival, a cultural celebration with live music, dance, spoken word, educational programming, food trucks, local vendors, and a fireworks finale. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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