ALEXANDRIA, VA – The city of Alexandria is honoring the resilience, culture, and history of African Americans with a vibrant series of Juneteenth celebrations this week. Rooted in remembrance and uplifted by music, education, and community connection, the city’s programming highlights the continuing journey toward equality and justice in America.
The festivities officially began on Saturday, June 7, with the RiverRenew Hooffs Run Dedication Day—a thoughtful event that connected environmental restoration with the city’s African American heritage.
Honoring Black History Through Nature: Hooffs Run Dedication
During the dedication event, new interpretive signage was unveiled at Hooffs Run, a little-known waterway closely tied to Alexandria’s Black history. Attendees gathered to reflect on the historical significance of the area while also embracing a greener future for their city.
This dual focus—preserving cultural and ecological heritage—underscores Alexandria’s commitment to telling a more complete and inclusive story of its past. As speakers emphasized, remembering and honoring places like Hooffs Run helps ensure that African American narratives remain central to the city’s evolving identity.
Juneteenth Celebration at Market Square
The heart of Alexandria’s Juneteenth celebration arrives on Wednesday, June 19, with a powerful lineup of music, storytelling, and community gathering in Market Square (301 King St., in front of City Hall).
Starting at 1 p.m., the celebration opens with a performance by Dr. David Fakunle, a gifted storyteller known for fusing West African oral traditions with African American narratives of survival and triumph.
At 2 p.m., the spotlight turns to the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices, a renowned ensemble that brings to life the songs and stories of African American history. Their performance weaves spirituals, gospel, and spoken word into a deeply emotional tribute to the generations that paved the way to freedom.
Presented by the Washington Revels and the Office of Historic Alexandria, this free outdoor event is open to all. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the afternoon celebration in the heart of Old Town.
Note: Event is weather-dependent.
Additional Events Throughout the City
Alexandria’s Juneteenth observance goes beyond a single day. A range of free, family-friendly activities will take place throughout the week, highlighting art, education, and culture:
Juneteenth at The Athenaeum
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Thursday, June 19 | 6–8 p.m. | 201 Prince St.
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Enjoy an evening of visual art, reflection, and conversation in a historic setting.
Juneteenth Festival at Charles Houston Recreation Center
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Saturday, June 21 | 12–6 p.m. | 901 Wythe St.
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Celebrate with live music, dancing, local vendors, delicious food, and educational programming. Hosted by the City of Alexandria, Momentum Collective Inc., and the Alexandria NAACP.
Freedom Before Emancipation: Family Day at Mount Vernon
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June 19–21 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
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Visit George Washington’s estate for interactive exhibits and guided experiences exploring the lives of the enslaved before Emancipation.
A Deeply Rooted Tradition
Although Juneteenth was only officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, Alexandria has long acknowledged and celebrated the day’s significance. The Alexandria Black History Museum has hosted Juneteenth events for over 30 years, continuing a tradition that dates back even further.
Historical archives from the Alexandria Gazette document Emancipation Day parades as early as the 1890s. These included church-led gatherings, speeches, and festive street parades that reflected the joy and solemnity of hard-earned freedom.
The roots of Juneteenth lie in June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation—over two years after it had been issued. That day marked the true end of slavery for many, and African American communities have celebrated it ever since.
As Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed notes in her book On Juneteenth, Texas became the birthplace of the holiday in 1866. It quickly became an enduring symbol of African American freedom, resilience, and culture—eventually evolving into the national celebration we recognize today.
Building a More Inclusive Future
Alexandria’s 2024 Juneteenth events are part of the city’s broader efforts to elevate often-overlooked stories of its past. Through the work of Historic Alexandria, local institutions strive to engage residents of all backgrounds in discovering and honoring the diversity that defines the city’s heritage.
From museum exhibitions to interpretive markers, community festivals to storytelling sessions, the city continues to provide platforms for historical truth, cultural pride, and collective progress.
Join the Movement
Alexandria’s Juneteenth programming is open to all and welcomes people from all walks of life to celebrate, learn, and reflect together. These events are not only commemorations—they’re calls to action. They remind us that the work of justice, equality, and unity is ongoing.
To view the full Juneteenth schedule, learn more about historic preservation efforts, or get involved with Alexandria’s cultural initiatives, visit the official website of the Office of Historic Alexandria.
Let this Juneteenth be more than a day off—let it be a moment of learning, remembrance, and connection. In Alexandria, that spirit is alive and thriving.
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