Juneteenth Celebrated In Arlington With Music, Dance, Cookout

ARLINGTON, VA — Juneteenth observances in and around Arlington kick off this weekend, with

The Wednesday, June 19, federal holiday commemorates the day in 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, when word finally reached the last enslaved people in Texas that the Civil War had ended, and they were free.

Also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Jubilee Day, Juneteenth is the oldest-known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. In 2021,President Joe Biden signed legislation making it a federal holiday, the first since the addition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.

On June 19, 1968, King's Poor People's Campaign held a a Solidarity Day rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

• Related: When Is Juneteenth? What To Know About Holiday Marking Slavery’s End

Since 2005, the District has celebrated Emancipation Day to celebrate April 16, 1862, which was when enslaved people were emancipated in the District.

Also in D.C., the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture will be hosting a number of free indoor and outdoor activities.

Other Juneteenth events in and around Arlington include:

• Juneteenth celebration of Freedom by Bokar Cherif on Sunday, June 16 2024. ... Hall's Hill - High View Park. 1945 North Dinwiddie St. in Arlington.
• Juneteenth Celebration and Cookout: Wednesday, June 19, from 4-7 p.m., at 1330 S. Fair St. in Arlington. Enjoy live music, food, cultural performance and more

• Juneteenth Celebration on Tuesday, June 18, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Jennie Dean Park. Guest speakers, live entertainment, music, dance, food and more.
• The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices’ Juneteenth Holiday at Market Square: June 19, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• During Freedom Before Emancipation: Family Days for Juneteenth, visitors to George Washington’s Mount Vernon can learn about Ona Judge, Christopher Sheels and more enslaved people who resisted enslavement and sought freedom before the Emancipation Proclamation.
• Freedom Before Emancipation: Family Days for Juneteenth at George Washington’s Mount Vernon: June 19 to 22

Because Juneteenth is an official U.S. holiday, banks, federal offices and post offices in Arlington.

Patch will be closed Wednesday. Many state, county and local government offices will be closed or are open but with holiday hour, including

Arlington County government offices: Closed Wednesday, June 19.

Arlington Public Schools: Closed Wednesday, June 19.

Courts: Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court will be closed on Wednesday, June 19

Permitting and Inspection Services: Permit Arlington Center is closed on Memorial Day weekend. Permit Arlington is available for customer use and application submissions

Parking: Permit parking is always in effect unless specifically noted on the sign. Meters are not enforced on holidays.

Libraries: Arlington Public Libraries will be closed Wednesday, June 19.

Trash Pickup & Recycling:

• Recycling/Trash/Organics Curbside Routes: Regular collection on Wednesday, June 19.
• Special Collections (brush, metal, E-waste): Regular collection on Wednesday, June 19
• Household Hazards/Electronics Drop-Off Facility: Closed Wednesday, June 19
• Earth Products Drop-off Yard: Closed Wednesday, June 19.

Department of Motor Vehicles: All DMV customer service centers are closed Wednesday, June 19

Post offices: Closed Wednesday, June 19

Parks & Recreation Facilities & Programs: All community centers, administrative offices and classes are closed Wednesday, June 19. The Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Wednesday, June 19. Spraygrounds open

Animal Welfare League of Arlington: Closed Wednesday, June 19. The Arlington County Animal Control team can be reached for emergencies at 703-931-9241.

Sheriff’s Office: Administrative Offices closed on Wednesday, June 19. Fingerprinting for the public and county employees are open Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. See detention center visiting hours.

Swimming Pools: See APS Pool Schedule, Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center

Transportation:

• ART – View the ART Bus Holiday Schedules page
• STAR – Office and Call Center closed. Call in advance to book rides for holiday and the day after.
• Metrorail & Metrobus Schedule

Cultural Affairs

• 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive/Theatre on the Run: Closed
• LAC Studios: Closed
• Scenery Studio: Closed