Miami-Dade organizations are offering a stacked lineup of events to celebrate Juneteenth this year. Here are a few ways you and your loved ones can mark the holiday.
The Juneteenth Experience
Hued Songs, a nonprofit that creates year-round performances celebrating Black culture, is marking its sixth Juneteenth Experience.
Hued Songs Executive Artistic Director Kunya Rowley said the lessons of Juneteenth should stick with us all year.
(Hued Songs)
The organization kicked off its month-long Juneteenth celebration May 23 for Florida’s Emancipation Day at the Allied Cultural Arts Center in Pompano Beach. On June 11, it opens an exhibition at the Daisy Arts Center in Fort Lauderdale, titled “Where We Say,” which will explore themes of home within Black communities while honoring the history of the Sistrunk neighborhood and the legacy of Dr. James and Daisy Sistrunk.
These events will lead up to concerts on June 18 and June 20 at the Miami Beach Bandshell and the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, respectively.
A performance from last year’s Juneteenth Experience by Hued Songs.
(Osmay Torres)
Hued Songs’ executive artistic director, Kunya Rowley, is looking forward to the Bandshell performance.
“There’s something really special about doing it in this outside space,” Rowley said. “Juneteenth is about community, it’s about hanging out with folks, and so I think there’s something really special about doing it in this open air outdoor venue.”
Hued Songs Executive Artistic Director Kunya Rowley said the music at the Main Stage performance ranges from gospel to classical to R&B to contemporary music.
(Osmay Torres)
He promises an exciting show.
“We’ve got five incredible vocalists who are joining us. The music ranges from gospel to classical to R&B to contemporary music, and a lot of original music as well, a lot of original arrangements.”
During the United States’ 250th year, Rowley stresses Black culture’s contribution to America.
Hued Songs Executive Artistic Director Kunya Rowley said the performances will feature five vocalists.
(Osmay Torres)
“This is really a declaration that Black history, Black music, Black artists have always been a part of the tapestry of the United States,” he said. “We are really working to ensure and reclaim that Black history is honored and not erased. The other thing is that our organization has always been rooted in honoring and celebrating artists, and the way that we make sense of the world, I believe, is through the arts.
“What a beautiful way for us to invite people in to really honor and think about these pieces of American history, through songs, through dance, through multimedia, because what we recognize is Black history is American history,” Rowley added.
He also said marking Juneteenth shouldn’t be a one-day event.
“We want people to come and have an amazing time and to leave inspired by this incredible performance. But I think that Juneteenth doesn’t end on June 18 or June 20,” Rowley said. “The way that we honor freedom, the way that we celebrate freedom … and the ways that it shows up in our life, all of that is ongoing. And so I hope people and audience members carry a piece of that with them beyond the Juneteenth season.”
“Where We Stay” opening reception: June 11, 2026, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Daisy Arts Center, Fort Lauderdale. Free.
The Juneteenth Experience Mainstage Performances: Friday, June 19, 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Miami Beach Bandshell and Saturday, June 20, 2026, 7-9 p.m. at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Fort Lauderdale. Free.
The People’s Cookout
The People’s Cookout will feature a DJ set by Oli VV.
(Courtesy of People’s Cookout)
If you’re a night owl, you might want to check out The People’s Cookout featuring DJ sets, good food and a car showcase, all starting June 19 at 10 p.m.
The event’s website describes it as “an opportunity to gather, reflect, and celebrate the legacy, resilience, and creativity of the Black diaspora while honoring the historical significance of Juneteenth.”
One of the organizers, Maalik Nelson, of Malik Meets, sees the importance of coming together.
“Coming together to celebrate the triumph of Juneteenth, first through discussion and education and then through food and music feels like the fullest expression of that culture,” Nelson said. “We want to honor the history that paved the way for us to gather openly and loudly, the way we can today.”
Co-organizer Eliakim Pierre, of Burgundy XYZ, wants to take advantage of South Florida’s heritage.
“South Florida has a rich Black American culture, a rich Caribbean culture, and a deep history that deserves to be celebrated,” Pierre said. “What better place to do that than Miami? We wanted to create something that reflects our community and gives people a space to gather, celebrate and be proud of who we are.”
Another organizer, Raphael Vulcain, of Omni Sound Space, says The People’s Cookout will “feature some of the best Black DJs in Miami, as well as some of the best Black chefs in Miami, and food pop-ups. So, overall, it’s an experience celebrating Black culture through everything that Black people have touched throughout Miami, and just highlighting everyone in Miami that is making an impact that is Black.”
The event will be preceded by The Art of Building, a panel discussion by cultural leaders, led by Nelson, exploring the methodology behind building community and sustaining community using Black culture.
The People’s Cookout will feature a DJ set by DJ Frisco954.
(Courtesy of People’s Cookout)
“The education aspect is super important because education definitely gives perspective, and perspective gives understanding, and understanding gives empathy, and empathy gives community,” Vulcain explained. “So if we all understand each other through and through and understand each other’s cultural backgrounds, not only on Juneteenth, but across the board, I think that makes for a better community and a better world.”
The Art of Building panel discussion: Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. at Reserved MIA, 7200 NW 2nd Ave., Miami.
The People’s Cookout will feature a DJ set by RARA Vulcain.
(Courtesy of Raphael Vulcain)
The People’s Cookout: Friday, June 19 from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. at 7200 NW 2nd Ave., Miami.
Overtown Children and Youth Coalition events
Anthony Robinson, executive director of the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition, has a lot of plans for Juneteenth.
Overtown Children & Youth Coalition Executive Director Anthony Robinson.
(Overtown Children & Youth Coalition)
“There are about 12 or 13 different activities that are taking place at Overtown in order to bring people together, have some good, clean family fun and be able to celebrate the weekend,” Robinson said.
He stressed the importance of celebrating Juneteenth.
“It allows us to remember the history, remember from where we’ve come,” Robinson said. “It also allows us to celebrate our history, celebrate our assets, to celebrate the work that (our ancestors) have done to allow us to be here as free Americans.”
Overtown Children and Youth Coalition Juneteenth events:
Juneteenth Roll Call — Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater, 819 NW 2nd Ave., 9:30 a.m.
Juneteenth Community Breakfast: Breakfast with a Purpose — Overtown Optimist Club at Theodore Gibson Park, 350 NW 12 St., 10 a.m.
Legends on the Diamond: A Juneteenth Celebration at Dorsey Park — 1701 NW 1st Ave., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sepia Vernacular Exhibition, L.E. Thomas Building — 1021 NW 2nd Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Melanin Miami Tour — Historic Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum, 480 NW 11th St., 11 a.m.
Rooted and Rising: Juneteenth Celebration at the Corner — OVRTWN Corner, 1119 NW 3rd Ave., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Neighborhood – Juneteenth Block Party — Red Rooster, 936 NW 2nd Ave., Noon.
Pouring Legacy: A Juneteenth Wine Tasting Experience — OVRTWN Corner, 1119 NW 3rd Ave., Noon to 6 p.m.
We Too Sing America Poster Competition — Historic Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum, 480 NW 11th St., 3 to 5 p.m.
Voices From Historic Hampton House: Documentary Screening — OVRTWN Corner, 1119 NW 3rd Ave., 5 to 6 p.m.
Movies Under a Simple Tree — Historic Ward Rooming House, 249 NW 9th St., 7 to 10 p.m.
Other Juneteenth celebrations
The Juneteenth Festival, taking place June 18 from 6 to 11 p.m. and June 19 from 3 to 11 p.m., will feature live music, dance performances, spoken word, comedy, cultural presentations and a food truck village. The free event takes place at Griffing Park in North Miami.
The Black on the Block Juneteenth block party “highlights Juneteenth as both a celebration and a moment for gathering across generations.” It takes place June 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Dunns Overtown Farm & Market. Donations are accepted.
Catalyst Miami will host Legends on the Diamond, a Juneteenth celebration and community kickball game at Dorsey Park on June 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those interested can RSVP at catalystmiami.org/juneteenth.
More Juneteenth events can be found at miamiandbeaches.com/events/juneteenth.