If you are looking for something to do this Juneteenth, Greater Baton Rouge has events for all ages.
Ever since Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021, celebrations and awareness have grown tenfold. Many local groups and organizations across Baton Rouge are celebrating the historic day by hosting a whole slew of events
There are plenty of places to go and people to meet this Juneteenth in Baton Rouge. Here is a list of just some of the events community members can attend this weekend.
Thursday, June 18
Juneteenth at Southern University
From 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, Southern University will host a series of events, panels and workshops on campus for adults and children. People will have the chance to hear experts and political officials speak throughout the event and support local food trucks during the freedom market portion. Southern University is located at 8320 Leon, Netterville St.
Peace Builders Collective: A Celebration of Juneteenth
In affiliation with Baton Rouge councilwoman Twahna P. Harris, local non-profit organization The BRidge Agency is bringing the community a chance to celebrate the meaning of Juneteenth together. The free event taking place at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, located at 4000 Gus Young Ave., will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and feature food and giveaways.
Friday, June 19
Free admission to the LSU Museum of Art
For Juneteenth, everyone is welcome to make their way through the LSU Museum of Art for free. The promotion will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with access to all of the museum’s galleries and exhibitions. The museum is located at 100 Lafayette St. on the fifth floor.
Juneteenth: Celebrating Historic South Baton Rouge at Magnolia Mound
Magnolia Mound, along with Professor Terell Johnson and Reginald Delpit of the Chicken Shack, are celebrating Juneteenth by emphasizing the historic South Baton Rouge community. Running from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the event will be free and include discussions about the area and its history, as well as food. Magnolia Mound: Museum + Historic Site is located at 2161 Nicholson Drive.
Juneteenth Celebration Concert at L’Auberge
At the L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge, located at 777 L’Auberge Ave., residents aged 21 and up can enjoy a full night of local musicians starting at 8 p.m. You can listen to Lil’ Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers, brass band The Michael Foster Project and the multi-genre outfit Universal Language.
Grand Opening of the Baton Rouge African American Museum & Juneteenth Celebration
This Friday marks the grand opening of the new Baton Rouge African American Museum, located at 805 Saint Louis St. The event is meant to celebrate not only the holiday, but the culture of the local African American population and the legacy of the late Sadie Roberts-Joseph. It will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and feature guest speakers, live music and food.
Saturday, June 20
The fun does not stop on the day of Juneteenth. One of the biggest community events you can attend to celebrate the holiday is the Juneteenth Unity Festival hosted at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library at Goodwood, located at 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Fourteen local businesses have come together to sponsor the event, which will be full of live music, food vendors and learning opportunities. It is free and runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., residents can congregate at the Capitol Park Museum for Discovery Day: Juneteenth Day. Here, they can browse through the museum or join in on a holiday-themed scavenger hunt. While not free, attendees can enjoy all of this and more for only $5, and the event is free for those six and under. The Capitol Park Museum is located at 660 N. Fourth St.
For more information on these events and other possible ones to attend, check out the Visit Baton Rouge website.
