14 Juneteenth events in southeastern North Carolina

Here’s a look at 14 events marking Juneteenth in Southeastern North Carolina, from downtown Wilmington and Brunswick County to Pender County and historic Seabreeze near Carolina Beach.

USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

June 12, 2026

Jole Gorman, 8, gets his face painted by Damiyar Speller with the Burnett-Eaton Museum during the Juneteenth celebration at the Martin Luther King Center in Wilmington, N.C., June 23, 2018. (USA Today via Reuters)

The holiday known as Juneteenth dates to June 19, 1865, when Black people in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free, an awareness than came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln ended slavery by signing the Emancipation Proclamation into law.

Sometimes called Black Independence Day, it became a federal holiday in 2021.

Juneteenth celebrations take place across the country, and in the Wilmington area they are not in short supply.

Juneteenth Committee of Wilmington

One of Wilmington’s biggest Juneteenth celebrations spans more than a week and is put on by the Juneteenth Committee of Wilmington. Schedule of events is below.

Gospel Fest, 2 p.m. June 14 at Shiloh Baptist Church.
U.S. Colored Troops remembrance, 11 a.m. June 16 at Wilmington National Cemetery.
Juneteenth Breakfast, 9:30 a.m. June 19 at the MLK Community Center, 410 S. Eighth St.
Juneteenth Music Festival, 1 p.m. June 20, MLK Center.
Juneteenth Pageant, 3 p.m. June 28 at MLK Center.

14 Juneteenth events in southeastern North Carolina — The New Hanover Black Leadership Caucus observed Juneteenth at the Wilmington National Cemetery on June 17, 2025. The ceremony paid tribute to the hundreds of U.S. Colored Troops buried at the site.

Juneteenth urban hike and community forum

Tour of historically Black Wilmington neighborhood known as “The Bottom” will go to such sites as Willison Middle School (formerly a Black high school), the former Community Hospital, and the locations of Black newspapers and churches. A community forum at the MLK Center will follow. 4-7 p.m. June 17.

Juneteenth Freedom Feast

Juneteenth Freedom Feast features a dinner with a wide range of food offerings and a keynote speech given by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Edda L. Fields-Black. 5:30 p.m. June 18 at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, tickets are $150 and include dinner.

6th annual Community Reunion

With food, speakers, live music, community resource links and “Forgotten Freedom Day,” a short play by Jermaine Major based on research by Islah Speller, directed by Marion Evans and presented by the Willis Richardson Players. Featuring the Positively Stunning Dance Co. 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 19, 410 N. 7th St. Play is at 5 p.m., with live music by The Darryl Murril Band 5-8 p.m.

Battleship N.C. Juneteenth Uplighting

For Juneteenth, the Battleship North Carolinawill be lit up in red, white and blue. The lights will be visible at sunset, or around 8:30 p.m., on June 19, from the Wilmington Riverwalk and other areas in downtown.

Juneteenth at the Beach NColor Festival

Festival held at the historic Black beach community known as Seabreeze will feature live entertainment, fireworks, food trucks, art exhibits, family activities, history tours and more. WilmingtoNColor tours will explore the history of Seabreeze and Freeman’s Beach. Presented by NColor Festivals, the Freeman family and WilmingtoNColor Heritage Tours. 4-8 p.m. June 20 on Seabreeze beach, this is a “pay what you can” event.

‘Boundless’ tour

Guided tour of Stephen Hayes’ life-size bronze sculpture “Boundless” in PNC USCT Park on the grounds of Wilmington’s Cameron Art Museum. The monument honors the United States Colored Troops (USCT) who fought on the site during the Civil War Battle of Forks Road in 1865. 1 p.m. June 19, free with museum admission.

Southport Juneteenth

The Southport Unity Committee will host a parade, along with music and live entertainment, food, family-friendly activities and more. Parade route will run from ILA Hall to A.C. Caviness Park in Southport. The event starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 20.

Juneteenth Sip & Paint

Selfie & Content Gallery at 5215 Market St. in Wilmington presents this event that includes food, drink, painting materials and more. 4-7 p.m. June 21, $35. 910-530-5992

Pender County Juneteenth

The 1865 Society of Pender County presents its annual Juneteenth Celebration. With live entertainment, art, exhibits, a fashion show, vendors, food trucks and a gospel concert with Monica Ross & Family, Chris Ledbetter & Friends and Andre Murrill & Kids. 10 a.m. June 27 at 100 Wright St. in Burgaw, gospel concert starts at 5 p.m. Free.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Juneteenth events in the Wilmington area to know about for 2026

Reporting by John Staton, Wilmington StarNews / Wilmington StarNews

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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