Mississippians across the state will celebrate Juneteenth on Thursday.
The day commemorates what is also known as Black Independence Day, when more than 250,000 enslaved people received news of their emancipation in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.
In 2021, former president Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, formally making Juneteenth the newest federal holiday. Many celebrations took place last weekend, but an abundance of events are still on tap this week for Black Independence Day in the Magnolia State.
Wednesday, June 18
Jackson’s Juneteenth Fireworks Extravaganza: Jackson Convention Complex from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth at the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument: Medgar and Myrlie Evers National Monument in Jackson from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Juneteenth Jubilee: Two Mississippi Museums from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
42nd Annual Hattiesburg Juneteenth Festival: Vernon Dahmer Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Starkville Downtown at Sundown: Juneteenth Show: Cadence Bank Pavilion at Fire Station Park from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Juneteenth Faith & Freedom: The Strand Theatre in Vicksburg, beginning at 12 p.m.
Vicksburg Juneteenth Crafts: Vicksburg-Warren Public Library from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Peace Love Juneteenth: Painting with a Twist in Hattiesburg from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, June 20
Juneteenth Diaspora Rooted: The Patton House & Gallery in Jackson from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Daquiris & Dashikis Juneteenth Street Party: The Press Box Daquiri Lounge in Gulfport from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Saturday, June 21
Annual Juneteenth on Farish: Farish Street Historic District in Jackson from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
3rd Annual Juneteenth Family Fun Day: 19th Street and 31st Avenue, Gulfport, beginning at 2 p.m.
Juneteenth 228 Celebration: Second Street Park, Moss Point, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tupelo Juneteenth Parade and Festival: Gumtree Park on Front St., Tupelo, beginning at 3 p.m.
Meridian Juneteenth Festival & Fireworks: City Hall Lawn (for more details, call (601) 485-1998)
Downtown Corinth Juneteenth Festival: Johns Street Park
Sunday, June 22
5th Annual Gulfport Juneteenth Festival: West Side Park, Gulfport, from 3:19 p.m. to 8 p.m.