Alexandria Kicks Off Juneteenth Week with Music, History, and Community Spirit
Free events across the city celebrate African American heritage and the journey to freedom
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Alexandria’s Juneteenth celebrations are in full swing this week, honoring African American resilience, heritage, and the enduring fight for freedom. The festivities began on Saturday, June 7, with the RiverRenew Hooffs Run Dedication Day, a powerful blend of history and environmental restoration that drew locals to reflect on the city’s past while envisioning a greener future.
New interpretive signage was unveiled to commemorate the vital role of Hooffs Run, an often-overlooked waterway tied to Alexandria’s Black history. The dedication marked not only a moment of remembrance but a commitment to preserving both cultural and natural legacies.
A Joyous Juneteenth Awaits
The centerpiece of the week takes place on Thursday, June 19, as Alexandria marks Juneteenth—the federal holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans—with an outdoor concert in Market Square (301 King St., in front of City Hall).
Kicking off at 1 p.m., the event opens with mesmerizing storytelling by Dr. David Fakunle, followed at 2 p.m. by a soul-stirring performance from the acclaimed Washington Revels Jubilee Voices. Known for their poignant narratives and spirituals, the ensemble’s program centers on family, faith, and the long road to liberty.
The free event is co-sponsored by the Washington Revels and the Office of Historic Alexandria. All are welcome to bring chairs, relax in the square, and enjoy a moving afternoon of culture and community. (Weather permitting.)
More Ways to Celebrate
Historic Alexandria is offering a week of free, family-friendly programs across the city:
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Juneteenth at The Athenaeum
Thursday, June 19 | 6–8 p.m. | 201 Prince St.
Celebrate art, freedom, and reflection in one of Old Town’s most beautiful spaces. -
Juneteenth Festival at Charles Houston Recreation Center
Saturday, June 21 | 12–6 p.m. | 901 Wythe St.
Don’t miss this lively community event featuring music, food, dancing, education, and cultural expression. Sponsored by the City’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, Momentum Collective Inc., and the Alexandria NAACP. -
Freedom Before Emancipation: Family Day at Mount Vernon
June 19–21 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Explore the stories of those who lived in bondage at Washington’s estate before freedom came. A powerful, educational experience for all ages.
A Legacy of Celebration
Long before Juneteenth became a national holiday in 2021, Alexandrians were already commemorating freedom. The Alexandria Black History Museum has celebrated the occasion for more than 30 years. Historical records from the Alexandria Gazette document Emancipation Day parades as far back as the 1890s—complete with floats, speeches, and church gatherings.
The significance of June 19 dates to 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, to announce that enslaved people were finally free. As Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed writes in her memoir On Juneteenth, Black Texans began commemorating the day as early as 1866. The tradition spread, evolving into the vibrant holiday celebrated across the nation today.
Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future
These events are part of Historic Alexandria’s ongoing mission to elevate the full story of the city’s diverse communities. From museums and archives to public performances and street dedications, the city invites all residents to participate in shaping a more inclusive understanding of Alexandria’s rich, complex past.
To learn more about the city’s Juneteenth offerings and the work of the Office of Historic Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.
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