13 Events Happening in Miami-Dade Celebrating Juneteenth

We’re back at it again this year providing you with a comprehensive guide on all things Juneteenth, but unlike our coverage last year we’ve had to break this series into two parts because South Florida is bursting at the seams with Juneteenth celebrations. This article highlights Juneteenth events happening in Miami-Dade county. We love that the now federally recognized holiday has caught on and many people are geared up to celebrate the freedom of African American slaves.

Juneteenth is celebrated because, on June 19, 1865, the last slaves were finally given their freedom, even though slavery ended two years earlier in 1863 with the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln. Maj. Gen Gordon Granger traveled to Galveston, Texas with the Union Army and read the slaves the federal order declaring their freedom. Juneteenth, which is the combination of the words June and nineteenth, is also known as Freedom Day and is the oldest US celebration of the ending of slavery.

According to Juneteenth.com, barbecuing and drinking strawberry soda is part of the traditions to commemorate the day. Barbecuing is said to be a popular part of the Juneteenth activities because participants can share in the spirit and aromas that the ancestors would have experienced during their celebrations as newly emancipated slaves. Also according to Dann Woellert The Food Etymologist blog, Strawberry soda became a Juneteenth staple because of our roots in West Africa, and for them, red drinks mark a special occasion. Enslaved West Africans brought their “social punch” with them to America. In the early years, Juneteenth quickly grew from a small Texas holiday to a nationwide celebration for African Americans.

This is our list of 13 events happening throughout Miami-Dade County. To read our Broward and Palm Beach counties list of events, click here.

Events in Miami-Dade County

(In no particular order)

The Hungry Black Man will host events over a span of three days to celebrate Juneteenth. Details below on each event. Click here to register for events.

2. The City of Miami Beach will commemorate the 156^th Juneteenth Independence Day with immersive activities that will share the history and impact of the holiday on the Miami Beach community. The city has developed a full day of artistic and educational programs — beginning with a gathering at Pride Park on Saturday, June 19 at 9 a.m. — to install a permanent plaque to remember the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States while honoring the contributions of Black Americans.

Click here to see the full schedule of events taking place around Miami Beach, including events on the beach and at the Betsy Hotel.

3. Come out and Celebrate Freedom at the Opa-locka Community Development Corporation’s “Juneteenth on Ali Baba” event. There will be food, music, vendors, and contests to win prizes. It all goes down on June 19, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Opa-locka ARC located at 675 ALI BABA AVE. To attend Grab your tickets here.

4. Papa Keith and his community-focused foundation, @pk4pm, will host the People Matter Pop-Up Juneteenth Edition. They invite you to join the, Saturday, June 19th from 11 a.m-3 p.m. for a day of family fun and a chance to win free cash prizes. The event has a mission and message tied to it. They’re asking for a 24-hour cease-fire starting the evening before the event. Check out Papa Keith’s full our full conversation on NBC 6 South Florida’s 6 In the Mix show sharing why he has paired the Juneteenth event with the cease-fire campaign.

Then from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Papa Keith will be hosting a Caribbean Heritage month event in Miramar at the Shirley Branca Park. Details below.

5. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the US in 1865 and on June 19th you can brunch in Pride at the #Freeish Brunch. Music will be provided by some of the top dj’s in South Florida, including @abhidadesigner, @iamdjthunder, and @djjuice305 of WEDR 99 Jamz fame. Event planners suggest early arrival and the dress code is Black Pride, Freedom, and Fashionable. Powered by @PullUpMiami and @AMemorableEvents. For more information or to purchase tickets head to the event’s Eventbrite page.

6. Kick off Juneteenth with the dopest Black Bike Experience in Miami-Dade County. Teaming up for another mass bike ride event is Break the Cycle, SocialXchange, Muscle Mom, Lets Ride 305 and Nationwide Ridas. The ride takes place June 19, 2021 with a meetup time at 9:30 a.m at Calder Casino. The estimated ride will be 15 Miles. This event will also mark the 2nd year the City of Miami Gardens will team up and co-host the Freedom bike ride. Join Vice Mayor Reggie Leon, Councilwoman Katrina Wilson, State Senator Shevrin Jones, and Miami-Dade County Vice-Chairman Oliver Gilbert for an energetic Saturday Morning ride. Register now at juneteenthride.eventbrite.com.

7. In July of 2020, the City of Miami Gardens passed an ordinance to
designate Juneteenth, June 19th, as an official City holiday, becoming one
of the first cities in the State of Florida to offer Juneteenth as a paid
holiday for its employees. To celebrate, the City of Miami Gardens has organized two events:

Bahas Reunion – the ‘Bahas’ is a community within Miami Gardens. The reunion is an opportunity for those who grew up or still reside in the area to celebrate with each other.
Park-In & Party – Celebrate the journey to freedom through music.
The program will be hosted by Miami Gardens’ own, Marvin Dixon,
with music by DJ Bo Weezy and performances by numerous artists.
Entrance to both events are free. To attend, click here to register for the events.

8. Darkside Boutique is hosting a pop-up shop to highlight Black-owned businesses to celebrate Juneteenth. The pop-up event will kick off at 2 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. The event will be located at 8500 NW 22nd Avenue.

9. The City of North Miami Beach, Commissioners Michael Joseph and McKenzie Fleurimond, in partnership with Black Professionals Network proudly honors Juneteenth. Join them for an enrichment day of speakers and activities for all ages. They start the day with a community conversation hosted by the Miami-Dade NAACP Chapter with community leaders on the importance of unity and collaboration. The panel will be moderated by NBC 6’s Jawan Strader. The events happening throughout the day are free to attend, register at nmbjuneteenth.eventbrite.com

10. Join the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews (MCCJ) at their Juneteenth event which is a part of their “Can We Talk?” series. As part of the “Can We Talk, Can We Really Talk?” series, MCCJ will present “Bulldozing Barriers: Reflections of Juneteenth & Diversity in Miami” — an effort to encourage continuous self-development and respect not just for the black community, but for all cultures.

Panelists Include: Marilyn Holifield, Partner, Holland & Knight and MCCJ Silver Medallion winner; Saif Ishoof, Vice President for FIU Engagement and MCCJ Silver Medallion winner; Matthew Beatty, COO Carrie Meek Foundation; Pamela Fuertes, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program at Miami Dade College; Deborah Koch, Executive Director at American Red Cross of Greater Miami; Kathryn Mikesell, Founder, Fountainhead Residency; Esther Park, Vice President of Programming Oolite Arts; and Matt Anderson, Executive Director, MCCJ as the moderator. To attend, click here to register.

11. Kickoff Juneteenth weekend early at the Perez Art Museum and AFROPUNK for a FREE event on the terrace. Enjoy an outdoor evening of live music, art, community, and a screening of AFROPUNK BLACK SPRING which features Miami’s own ArtLoveTrap, Willie Clarke, DJ Kumi, Masisi, Jenny Perez, and Seafoam Walls. From 7-8pm DJ LaNegra Fabulosa will be on the Terrace. From 8-9pm DJ Kumi will be mixing on the Terrace. And from 9pm-12am the screening of AFROPUNK BLACK SPRING will take place. Head to pamm.org/calendar for more information on these happenings and book your tickets.

12. Join Million Trees Miami on Juneteenth, Saturday, June 19th for their 500 FREE trees giveaway. The is powered by the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery Program. They are also teaming up with the Miami Marlins to give away the trees at the Historic Hampton House starting at 9 a.m. until supplies last, so early arrival is suggested. And if you’re unsure which tree is right for you, they’ll @florida.master.gardeners at the event to help you decide

13. Culture Club Tours presents Black Market Fest and it all goes down at the Rancho Wynwood. The Juneteenth celebration will be hosted by Empress Raw with music provided by DJ H2. There will be a line up performances by local and nationally known artists. See their flyer below for the full list of performers. Festivities kick off at 5 p.m. and will end at 1 a.m. There will be special celebrity invited guests, and table & bottles service will be available. Also vendors and Artists slots are available. For more information email event organizers at Cultureclubtours@Gmail.com or cultureMarket@Gmail.com. To attend, click here to register.