This family-friendly public art festival, supported by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, is bringing 10+ new murals to Roxbury from June 4-13. Join us for the closing block party to celebrate the completed artworks on Saturday, June 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roxbury YMCA. There will be food trucks, live art installations, and family-friendly activities.

You won’t want to miss this FREE day-long celebration of poetry including workshops, featured speakers, and a slam poetry contest where you’ll have the chance to win a publishing deal.

Learn more and register

The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA2S+ Advancement (MOLA) and the Museum of Science invite Boston’s LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones to an evening that celebrates Pride, uplifts the spectrum of beauty, and highlights the world of science with music and live performances. Titled STEM and Beyond, the MOLA added their own twist to the acronym, STEM (Slay the Entire Month).

As part of the Museum’s Pride Celebration, this event offers LGBTQ+ Bostonians a welcoming and affirming space to gather and celebrate. The evening features music and performances throughout the night, classic Museum of Science interactive presentations, and more. 

Juneteenth is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a celebration of the freedom, resilience, and joy that our communities build together every single day.

Join us for Juneteenth Freedom Day 2026 on Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Franklin Park’s Shattuck Picnic Area.

This annual gathering brings together families, neighbors, community organizations, civic partners, and culture bearers from across Boston and the Commonwealth to honor Juneteenth and celebrate the ongoing work of Black freedom.

This day is all about heritage and real connection. We’re creating a space for everyone to feel like they belong, right in the heart of one of Boston’s most historic parks.

Bring your people. Meet us in the park. Let’s celebrate freedom together.

Juneteenth Freedom Day 2026

Saturday, June 20

11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Franklin Park, The Playstead

Join us for the 2026 Beacon Hill Juneteenth Celebration, a free community block party on Joy Street hosted by the Museum of African American History. This vibrant festival is part of the nation's 250th anniversary commemoration — a day of music, art, food, storytelling, and community connection, with more than 1,000 attendees expected from across Greater Boston.

The Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome.

Event Highlights

Joy Street Takeover — A pedestrian-only cultural corridor featuring local Black Boston area vendors, art, music, food trucks, and storytelling.

Main Stage Performances — Live music, spoken word, and performances celebrating Black history and freedom.

Family Zone — Hands-on art, puppetry, face painting, story time, music, and fun for kids of all ages.

Ujima Food and Vendor Marketplace — Black-owned food trucks and local Black artisan vendors.

Wellness and Reflection Area — Drumming and dedicated space for healing and community connection.

Free Museum Access — Complimentary admission and mini tours of the historic African Meeting House and Abiel Smith School.

This event is hosted by the Museum of African American History | Boston and Nantucket, a City of Boston community partner. For more information, visit maah.org.

 Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Today, Juneteenth stands as a celebration of freedom, remembrance, and the ongoing pursuit of equity and justice.

Theme for 2026 "Juneteenth Brings Balance to America's Celebration of Freedom"

The ceremony will feature remarks from City leaders, a keynote address, a flag raising, musical performances, cultural traditions, food, and community gathering.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026

Time: 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location: Boston City Hall Plaza and Boston City Hall 3rd Floor Mezzanine

This event is free and open to the public.

Program Highlights

• Welcome remarks from City leadership
• Juneteenth reflection and moment of remembrance
• Libation ceremony honoring ancestors and community history
• Keynote address
• Juneteenth proclamation
• Official Juneteenth flag raising ceremony
• Live music and cultural performances
• Community gathering featuring traditional Juneteenth foods and educational displays

Additional Juneteenth Events

Attendees will also be able to learn more about additional Juneteenth celebrations and community events taking place throughout Boston.

Updates and more info

Juneteenth Elevated brings Cannabis Empowerment Week into the community as we join the historic Juneteenth Celebration at Franklin Park.

Stop by our tent and connect with the Cannabis Industry Development Team, explore educational resources, ask questions about social consumption and cannabis policy, and engage in conversations surrounding equity, opportunity, and community impact.

Come get Social in the City with us and enjoy a day of unity, joy, and liberation as we honor history while embracing the future.

Event Disclaimer: The Juneteenth Celebration is organized by a third party. We are participating as a vendor only and are not responsible for event production or overall event operations. For more information, event details and policies, please refer to the official event organizers. 

REGISTER HERE

LIVE and LIT: Curated Cannabis Events is an exploration of what cannabis-centered event experiences could potentially look like in Boston through the event organizer license type. Through a live visual walkthrough, guests will experience operational concepts, event flow, entertainment integration, compliance considerations, and curated social environments designed around cannabis-friendly programming and experiences.

This interactive educational experience explores how cannabis could intersect with live entertainment, festivals, art, music, culture, nightlife, and special events throughout the City.

Come get Social in the City with us as we explore the future possibilities of curated cannabis events in Boston.

REGISTER HERE