BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge is gearing up for a series of Juneteenth events that highlight Black history, culture and community.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that enslaved people were free. That announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

The day is recognized as a pivotal moment in American history, when thousands of formerly enslaved Texans learned of their freedom and began celebrating what became known as Juneteenth.

While Juneteenth does not mark the formal end of slavery throughout the United States, it has become a symbol of liberation, resilience and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

For generations, African American communities have observed the holiday with gatherings, parades, music, food, educational programs and cultural celebrations that honor both the struggles and achievements of those who came before them.

This year, there are numerous opportunities to commemorate the holiday through festivals, live entertainment, educational programs and family-friendly activities. Here is a list of upcoming Juneteenth events in and around the capital city.

June 18
Iberville Parish Juneteenth Celebration — Carl F. Grant Civic Center, Plaquemine. Community observance honoring freedom and unity, followed by lunch. Noon-1 p.m.

A Celebration of Juneteenth — Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Baton Rouge. Community events focused on reflection, culture and engagement. 5:30-7 p.m.

Southern University Campus-Wide Juneteenth Celebration —
- Opening Celebration with guest speaker Judge John Guidry at Leon R. Tarver II Cultural and Heritage Center from 9-10 a.m.
- 'Learning and Preserving Our Past Experiences in Order to Move Forward' Panel Discussion at Leon R. Tarver II Cultural and Heritage Center from 10-11 a.m., registration encouraged
- Genealogy and GU 272 Workshop at John B. Cade Library from 10-11 a.m., registration required
- Library Zone for Kids and Youth at John B. Cade Library from 10-11 a.m.
- Food trucks and Freedom Market at Mayberry Dining Hall Lawn from 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Children's Village at Tarver Center Lawn 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- The Wellness Connection at Mayberry Lawn 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Author's Row at Mayberry Lawn 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Culture Fest at Amphitheater/Outdoor Classroom 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Ag Discovery Zone, Ag Station and Farmers Market at Mayberry Dining Hall Lawn 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Museum Tours at Southern University Museum of Art from 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Southern University Museum of Art 25th Anniversary Celebration at Leon R. Tarver II Cultural and Heritage Center from 1-2 p.m.
- Self-Publishing Session at Leon R. Tarver II Cultural and Heritage Center from 2:10-3 p.m., registration required
- Freedom March at Leon R. Tarver II Cultural and Heritage Center at 3:15 p.m.

June 19

Juneteenth Lunchtime Lecture on A. Ralph Slaughter Sr. — West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen. Free presentation exploring the educator, civil rights advocate and community leader's impact on West Baton Rouge Parish. Noon-1 p.m.

Heritage Park Dedication Ceremony - 14th Street Park in Port Allen, 10 a.m. 

Magnolia Mound Juneteenth Celebration — Magnolia Mound Plantation, Baton Rouge. Program highlighting the history of South Baton Rouge through presentations, discussion and children's activities. 2-4 p.m.

Free Admission Day at the LSU Museum of Art — Shaw Center for the Arts, Baton Rouge. Visitors can explore museum exhibits free of charge in observance of Juneteenth. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

River Road African American Museum Juneteenth Celebration — Donaldsonville. Programming includes an author discussion, book signing, guided tours, live art and oral history activities. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Juneteenth Concert — L'Auberge Casino & Hotel, Baton Rouge. Concert featuring Lil Nathan & The Zydeco Big Timers, Universal Language and The Michael Foster Project. Purchase tickets here. 8 p.m.

June 20
Discovery Day: Juneteenth — Capitol Park Museum, Baton Rouge. Special programming includes a scavenger hunt, educational activities and a Juneteenth-themed craft. 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Juneteenth Unity Festival: Project 63, 65, 21... — East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, Baton Rouge. Free festival featuring cultural exhibits, wellness resources, financial literacy programming, entertainment and family activities. RSVP here. 3-8 p.m.

"Pit. Pot. Boil." Juneteenth Cook-Off — Smoke Bayou, Baton Rouge. Food competition featuring jambalaya, crawfish, ribs and fried fish categories. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Woodville, Miss., Juneteenth Festival — At the Courthouse Square from noon to 6 p.m.

Mrs. Ray Helen Lawrence Juneteenth Festival - 14th Steet Park in Port Allen from noon to 8 p.m.

This list is not comprehensive. To submit information about additional Juneteenth events, email news@wbrz.com