CHARLOTTE — Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery, will be celebrated across the country on June 19. Here’s a list of celebrations and events happening in the Charlotte area:
The 25th annual Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas kicks off Thursday in Plaza Midwood at the House of Africa and runs through the weekend. Events include a parade, street festival and the Freedom and Unity March, which will begin 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Grady Cole Center.
[ ALSO READ: What to know about the holiday that celebrates slavery’s end ]
The 3rd annual Charlotte Juneteenth Celebration will be held from Friday through Sunday at 619 Anderson Street. There will be live performances, workshops, vendors and other activities through the weekend.
Bessemer City will host its 4th annual Juneteenth Festival from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday in Centennial Park. Admission is free.
The town of Indian Trail will host a Juneteenth Celebration from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday at Crossing Paths Park. The event will include professional poets and spoken word performances, a community panel discussion, African dance and drumming, food trucks, arts and crafts and other activities.
Blumenthal Performing Arts will host its 2nd annual Juneteenth Jam featuring two days of free interactive dance sessions, art installations and live music on Friday and Saturday in uptown. Admission is free.
Salisbury’s Juneteenth Celebration will take place from Friday through Sunday. Events include Jazz and Poetry Night at 7 p.m. on Friday at Vibez Lounge, a festival at 12 p.m. on Saturday at the Bell Tower Green and a “Soulful Sunday” performance at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Bell Tower Green.
Historic West End will host a Juneteenth Celebration from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday in front of West Charlotte High School on Senior Drive. Admission is free.
The Juneteenth Run & Ride Celebration will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at 1540 West Blvd. Participants can walk, run or bike. Registration is $30.
The North Carolina Juneteenth Festival will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. Admission is free.
[ ALSO READ: Lupe Fiasco, 6lack highlight Apple Music Juneteenth playlist ]
The Belmont Juneteenth Celebration will be held from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday at Stowe Park. Admission is free.
The Town of Davidson Juneteenth Celebration will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Ada Jenkins Center. Admission is free.
Huntersville’s Juneteenth Jubilee will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the David B. Waymer Recreation Center. Admission is free.
The Hugh Torrence House & Store in Huntersville will host Junion, a free community event on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring music, storytelling and other activities.
The Monroe Juneteenth Celebration will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday at Belk Tonawanda Park.
The Concord Cabarrus Juneteenth Parade will be held on Saturday. The parade will begin at 7 a.m. on Crowell Street next to Barber Scotia College and proceed to Caldwell Park via Cabarrus Avenue, Spring Street, Chestnut Drive, Lincoln Street and Melrose Drive.
Gastonia’s EbonyFest Juneteenth Celebration will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Erwin Center and Rotary Centennial Pavilion. Admission is free.
The town of Waxhaw’s Juneteenth Celebration will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Community Corner (under the water tower).
The Harvey B. Gantt Center will host a free Juneteenth program, “Elements of Freedom,” from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
StarMed Healthcare and Black Business Owners of Charlotte (BBOC) will host a Juneteenth Buy-Black Fest on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 4108 Triangle Dr. in west Charlotte. Admission is free.
The Queen City Juneteenth Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday at Central Piedmont Community College’s Cato Campus.
The Concord Cabarrus Juneteenth Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 25 at Marvin Caldwell Park.
Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas
This browser does not support the video element.
A crowd of more than 15,000 is expected to descend on Plaza Midwood for the 25th annual Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas celebration.
Big events are planned from Thursday through Sunday, including a drum circle, talent show, time for social gathering and a march.
At a kids camp earlier this week, children made art and heard stories related to the holiday. Its a weekend filled with education, food, music and fellowship.
“We invite everyone in Charlotte and the surrounding area to come out and celebrate this piece of history,” said Pape Ndiaye, the event’s founder.
(WATCH BELOW: Rock Hill restaurant preserves legacy of ‘Friendship 9′)
This browser does not support the video element.