Juneteenth Happenings in South Florida

Juneteenth – June 19 – marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Last year, President Biden signed into law the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making this a federal holiday. This is also a time to celebrate African American culture. A new cookbook, Watermelon and Red Birds by Nicole Taylor, includes 75 dishes suitable for Juneteenth picnics, dinner parties and brunches, like New Age Wedge Salad, Blueberry & Beef Puff Pies, Squash Blossom Cornbread and Nectarine Milkshakes.

In South Florida, these events showcase Juneteenth community and celebration:

Juneteenth Juke Joint at the Arsht Center, Miami

WHAT: Community celebration of Black freedom and culture, with dancing, live music, cocktails and celebration. Pan-African beats, soulful sounds and a curated menu by the team at Constellation Culinary Group. For $15, guests can try catfish nuggets, beef burnt ends, or fried chicken wings with a side dish choice such as mac n cheese, sweet potato fritters, black-eyed pea salad, or cream corn casserole. Desserts include a red velvet shooter or banana pudding shooter.
WHEN: June 16, 7pm
WHERE: The Peacock Foundation Studio, Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd.
MORE INFO: Arsht Center

Juneteenth Father’s Day Brunch, Rosie’s: The Backyard, Little River

WHAT: Elevated soul-food-inspired brunch classics and specialty cocktails made with Duke and Dame’s salted caramel flavored whiskey.
WHEN: June 19
WHERE: 7127 NW 2nd Ave., Miami
MORE INFO: Rosie’s: The Backyard

Juneteenth Food and Wine Festival

WHAT: Series of events celebrating Juneteenth. Detroit vs NOLA: Team Chef Max Hardy (Detroit) faces Team Chef Charles “PeeWee” Armstrong (New Orleans) with co-host chef Carla Hall for a chef battle. Attendees can sample food, wine and spirits and vote on their favorite. Ultimate Juneteenth Beach Cookoff and Concert features a seaside foodie village with African American cuisine from all over the U.S.
WHEN & WHERE: Detroit vs NOLA: Fri., June 17, 6pm-11pm at Red Rooster; Cookoff & Concert June 19 4pm-11pm at Lummus Park, Miami Beach
MORE INFO: Juneteenth Food and Wine Festival

Juneteenth Celebration, Key West

WHAT: Key West’s celebration starts at the African Cemetery containing the graves of Africans who were rescued from a slave ship. Live reggae and Caribbean music, traditional foods and special cocktails from the First Legal Rum Distillery. At the end of the evening, the Caribbean Carnival Parade will wind through the streets of Key West.
WHEN: Sat., June 18, 1pm
WHERE: African Cemetery, Higgs Beach

Juneteenth at the Vizcaya Farmers Market

WHAT: Art, food and special programming at the weekly farmers market at Vizcaya Village. 
WHEN: June 19, 9am-2pm
WHERE: Vizcaya Village, 3251 S Miami Ave.
MORE INFO: Vizcaya Village Farmers Market

Third Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration, Miami Beach

WHAT: Gathering at Pride Park includes FIU keynote speaker Heather Russell, performances by jazz singer Carole Ann Taylor; Grammy-nominated educator Melton Mustafa, Jr.; and students of the New World School of the Arts Jazz and Instrumental Studies students.
WHEN: Sat., June 19, 9am-10am
WHERE: 1809 Meridian Ave. at the Rainbow Eucalyptus tree

The Juneteenth Experience: A Free, Multidisciplinary Celebration of Juneteenth

WHAT: Performance by a diverse cast of local artists Ace Anderson, Shanna Woods, Vanya Allen, Miriam King, J’Von Brown, Jasmine Williams, Christian Reategui and Stephan St. Louis with animation by Izia Lindsay and led by a creative team that includes Kunya Rowley, Michelle Grant-Murray, Wilkie Ferguson III and Joseph Cloud.
WHEN: Sun., June 19, 6:30pm
WHERE: North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave.
MORE INFO: The Juneteenth Experience

Lift Up Your Voice and Sing!, Miami Beach

WHAT: An evening of poetry, music and dance, including selections from the Great American Songbook by Miami Beach Classical Music Festival Director Michael Rossi; and performances by The Peter London Global Dance Company, poet Geoffrey Philip and musician Gregory LeDon (aka The Saxophone Guy)
WHEN: Sun., June 19, 7pm-8:30pm
WHERE: Lummus Park, Ocean Dr. between 14 St. and 14 Pl.

Live Jazz at The Betsy Hotel, Miami Beach

WHAT: Award-winning vocalist LeNard Rutledge and pianist Jim Gasior will perform in the evening. Visitor are also invited to visit The Betsy Poetry Rail to read “A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes. Free and open to the public.
WHEN: Sun., June 19, 6pm-1pm
WHERE: The Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Dr.

Museum Story Time: Juneteenth – Via Zoom

WHAT: Celebrate the joy of reading and be whisked away on a literary adventure as we read selections from Desmond and the Very Mean Word by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams, illustrated by A.G. Ford
WHEN: Sat., June 18, 10am-10:30am
WHERE: Online via Zoom
MORE INFO: Register here

The Juneteenth Fest, North Miami

WHAT: Three-day family-friendly event includes music, food trucks, vendors, art, live performances and kids activities all day.
WHEN: Kickoff Fri., June 17, 6-9pm;
WHERE: Griffing Park, West Dixie Hwy, North Miami
MORE INFO: Juneteenth Fest

Mello Fest, Dania Beach

WHAT: Spoken word, poetry and musical festival coming to Stage 954. featuring hip hop star Talib Kweli.
WHEN: Sat., June 18 7-9pm
WHERE: The Casino at Dania Beach, 301 E Dania Beach
MORE INFO: Mello Fest

Juneteenth Mural Project, Miami

WHAT: Mural unveiling, live music and block party to celebrate Juneteenth and Father's Day.
WHEN: June 19, 11am-3pm
WHERE: Jackson's Soul Food, 950 NW 3 Ave.

2022 Juneteenth Park-In & Party: We Are One!, Miami Gardens

WHAT: Music, food and fun including local acts to perform multiple musical selections to highlight successes, diversity and unity.
WHEN: Sun., June 19, 5pm (gates open at 4pm)
WHERE: Calder Casino, 21001 NW 27 Ave.
MORE INFO: Miami Gardens Juneteenth Park-in