Juneteenth events to be held in San Antonio from June 13-21

SAN ANTONIO — Several Juneteenth events will be held all across the Alamo City – with many starting before the federal holiday. 

Juneteenth, commemorates the date of June 19, 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and told enslaved people of their emancipation. 

In 2021, then-President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by Congress to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

But despite being a relatively new federal holiday, Juneteenth has a 160-year history that has been celebrated by Black Americans for generations with parades, festivals, musical performances and cookouts. 

This year several San Antonio organizations plan to host an array of events throughout the month of June to commemorate the long-awaited holiday. 

The San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum (SAAACAM) is hosting the screening of “Black Is…Black Ain’t” on Friday, June 13 at the Carver Community Cultural Center on North Hackberry Street. 

Admission is free but registration is required. 

The film highlights black diversity and the pain of many people being silenced or excluded because they were seen as “not Black enough.” 

A panel discussion will follow the screening as part of the city’s Office of Historic Preservation. 

The public is invited to lace up their running shoes for the Juneteenth 5K Run/Walk at Martin Luther King Park on Saturday, June 14. 

The event begins at 7 a.m. and wraps up around 11 a.m. Music and cheering sections will be spread throughout the route. To see the route, click here. 

Participants are encouraged to wear colorful swag. Medals will be give to the first 200 participants to cross the finish line. 

Pricing varies per participant and is dependent on the date of sign up. 

The Juneteenth 5K supports True Vision Church. 

On Saturday, June 14 participants can watch the annual Juneteenth Parade that starts at Sam Houston High School and ends at Comanche Park #2.

The event is organized by the local volunteer organization, Juneteenth Freedom Coalition of San Antonio. 

The first Juneteenth Celebration was held at the Freeman Coliseum with local bands and live entertainment. Festivals have also been held at the Carver Cultural Center and St. Paul Square but for the past two decades the festival has been held at Comanche Park #2.  

So, as the Juneteenth Parade ends at Comanche Park #2 attendees can continue the celebration with the Juneteenth Festival from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. 

Don Diego will be a featured musical artist at the festival. 

And if you’re looking for a combination of fashion and culture, the Dream Big Scholarship Fund is hosting the Juneteenth Freedom and Fashion Day Party on Saturday, June 14. 

The event will be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites Riverwalk on Soledad Street from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Freedom and Fashion Day Party celebrates Black designers and African American contributions throughout history. 

General admission tickets are $19.99

The annual Wilson Pottery Foundations Gala Fundraiser will take place Saturday evening at The Silver Center on East Court Street in Seguin, Texas. 

The 2025 Potter Awardees and Future Pioneer Awardees will be announced as well as the inaugural Wilcox Ranch Scholarship, where Wilson recipients will be presented. 

The night will begin with a silent auction at 4 p.m. followed by dinner, the award presentation, ending with live music. 

Adult tickets are $50 and kids are $15. 

A Famer’s Market will take place Saturday later in the day from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The event will be held in the Gardopia Gardens on New Braunfels Avenue. 

The Farmer’s Market will include live entertainment, local vendors, giveaways and food samples. 

Parking will be available in the adjacent lot from Gardopia. 

Then on Sunday, June 15 the public is invited to the Party In the Park featuring music by DJ Rhythm and Beats. 

The free party will be held at Pittman-Sullivan Park on Iowa Street from 6p.m. to 8 p.m.  

Food truck vendors will be on-site. The event will benefit the Davis Scott YMCA. 

Monday morning, Dr. Shantana L. Robinson will present an interactive session. designed to equip small business owners with tools and strategies to steadily grow. 

The workshop, ““From Surviving to Thriving: Capacity Building for Business Owners,” will feature guided instruction and group activities. 

The session begins at 9 a.m. and is expected to finish up by 1 p.m.

The workshop is free but attendees are asked to register before the event. 

Another set of events will take place between June 18 through June 25.

On Wednesday, June 18 the Black Contractors Association of San Antonio will host a family-friendly event in the hopes of honoring the Juneteenth legacy. 

The event will feature speakers, cultural activities, food, local vendors and exhibit booths.

Attendees can reserve their spot by clicking here. 

The SAAACAM along with Bexar County and the Tobin Center is presenting “Freedom’s Song: A Journey Through Gospel Radio,” at the H-E-B Performance Hall on Wednesday, June 18. 

The 7 p.m. event will feature the San Antonio Gospel Heritage Choir under the direction of Rev. Dr. Lemelle Taylor, Michael A. Potts, and Earl “Skip” Jackson.

Legendary gospel artist Dr. Bobby Jones will be a special guest. 

Attendees interested in a pre-performance dinner and reserved seating will pay $35. 

Reserved seating is $10. 

The annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament will be held Thursday, June 19 at Canyon Springs Gold Club. 

The tournament begins at 8:30 a.m., finishing up at 11:30 a.m.  

The green fees are priced at $175 – which includes a cart, the driving range plus a catered breakfast and lunch. 

Attendees interested in a free yoga class can join the group at Civic Park on Hemisfair Boulevard on Thursday, June 19. 

Class starts at 10 a.m. and lasts for an hour and a half. This particular class is part of a citywide initiative offering free yoga classes across all city districts between June 15 and June 23. 

The free yoga is led by local instructors who plan to celebrate Juneteenth and the 10th International Day of Yoga. 

Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga mats, water bottles and towels. 

For more information, click here.

The San Antonio Black History Bus Tour: Juneteenth Edition will explore significant African American landmarks throughout the city like the Carver Cultural Community Center and Phyllis Wheatley High School. 

On Thursday, June 19 attendees will hear stories that inspired the award-winning documentary “Walk on the River.” 

Participants are requested to arrive 30 minutes early. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance. The tours are scheduled for 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

Attendees will ride on a 50-passenger charter bus with A/C, a restroom and reclining seats. 

The tour will begin at the Carver Library on East Commerce Street. 

Another bus tour available on June 19 is the Green Book and Civil Rights Bus Tour that explores San Antonino’s historic east-side neighborhoods. 

The tour begins at Brackenridge Parking Garage at 3501 Avenue B. 

Attendees are asked to arrive 30-45 minutes before the bus’s departure. Time slots for the bus tour are available at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

Professional video and photography is not allowed on the tour. 

Attendees should prepare for a 2.5-hour journey and must register beforehand. 

On June 19 at True Vision Church the public is invited to celebrate the federal holiday with live music, line dances, food trucks, and a firework display. 

The event will be held on the northeast campus on Ackerman Road from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. 

The public can kick off the day with movement, music and motivation. 

There will be a special morning wellness experience at the SA Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 21 at Crockett Park. The event is a free community event and fundraiser that benefits the Dream Big Scholarship Fund. Below is the lineup of exercise activities the public can register for. 

7 a.m. – Fun Run 

8 a.m. Yoga with Corn Bread Yoga

9 a.m. – Hip Hop Step Aerobics with Carol Chapman 

On Saturday, June 21 the Alpha Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, will host a free mental health forum. 

The event will feature a panel of mental health professionals, caregivers and community leaders who plan to address mental wellness across all stages of life. 

The event will be held at the E. Thurman Walker Sport Complex from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Guests are asked to register beforehand. 

An informative session will take place Saturday, June 21 to help people trace their African American ancestry and uncover their family history.  

The free event kicks off at 10 a.m. and lasts until 12 p.m. at the Carver Library on East Commerce Street. 

Registration is required. 

Later that day from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., the public can enjoy the final event – the Juneteenth Block Party. 

The party is family-friendly and supports scholarships and programs that benefit the community. 

Attendees will be able to enjoy live entertainment, browse local vendor booths, food trucks, connect with community organizations and listen to public speakers. No outside food or drinks will be allowed. 

Guests can register by clicking here.