On June 19, a federal holiday is held to recognize the end of slavery in the United States. It’s most commonly called Juneteenth—a combination of the words “June” and “nineteen”—though it’s intermittently called Emancipation Day or Freedom Day as well. It’s celebrated on this specific day each year because in 1865, enslaved individuals in Texas finally learned about the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been passed two years prior, granting them their rightful freedom. They were the last to find out.
In New Hampshire, one of the earliest known observations of Juneteenth dates to the 1800s, when Reverend Daniel Austin, a Unitarian minister at “the first Black church in Portsmouth and first Black church in New Hampshire,” held Emancipation Day celebrations shortly after the proclamation was passed. Since then, annual events have begun to show up in more and more places throughout the Granite State. Below, we’ll go over a few of the ones planned for 2026.
Juneteenth Celebration: Portsmouth
When and where: Times & Locations vary
Cost: Most events are free to attend
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is hosting a multi-day Juneteenth Celebration featuring several different ceremonies and events. This year, the celebration serves an additional purpose: highlighting the stories of the Black men who fought in the Revolutionary War as laborers, soldiers, spies, and sailors. The goal is to tell the full story of how “a war for liberty waged alongside the institution of slavery,” and to affirm “that Black history is not a separate story; it is foundational to the American story” as we gear up for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Juneteenth Freedom Walk
The first scheduled event is the Juneteenth Freedom Walk on June 19. To participate, please meet at the John Paul Jones Memorial Park on the Kittery, Maine side by 9 a.m. Around 9:30 a.m., the walk will officially be underway, and you’ll travel 0.8 miles to the African Burying Ground in Portsmouth alongside The Leftist Marching Band. Parking is available at the Kittery Walk-in Care located on 35 Walker Street. Wheelchair accessible parking spots can be found by the Warren’s Lobster sign across Hunter Avenue. Participants are encouraged to bring signs, tambourines, and other celebratory items.
The Healing Rhythm Of The Drums
The Healing Rhythm Of The Drums ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 19, at 10 a.m. at the African Burying Ground. For those participating in the Freedom Walk, you’ll already have a prime spot for this performance. If you’re not attending the Freedom Walk but would like to see the Healing Rhythm Of The Drums, meet at the African Burying Ground in Portsmouth before the scheduled start time.
This event is described as “a sacred Juneteenth gathering honoring the lives and legacies of those excluded from America’s founding promises—Native Americans, Africans and African Americans, immigrants, Latinos, and other marginalized communities.” A complete breakdown of the ceremony’s schedule can be found here.
More events
On Sunday, June 21, at 11 a.m., a family-friendly and educational celebration will take place at the M&T Bank Parking Lot located at 325 State Street in Portsmouth. Stories will be told about five African Americans who contributed greatly to this nation’s history, including Harriet Wilson, Wentworth Cheswell, Prince Whipple, Richard Potter, and Ona Marie Judge.
On Saturday, June 27, statewide readings of abolitionist Frederick Douglass’s “What to the slave is your Fourth of July?” will be held statewide. This link has all the information you need to find a community reading near you.
Then, on Sunday, June 28, three events are taking place—two in Portsmouth and one in Exeter. At 10 a.m. in Portsmouth’s Langdon Park, a musket salute and opening ceremony are held. From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a guided bus tour titled “Reclaiming History, Declaring Dignity,” which costs $55 per person. You must register for the bus tour in advance and may do so by filling out this form.
Finally, beginning at 1 p.m., a free interactive history exhibit is being held at the American Independent Center in Exeter. If you’re participating in the bus tour, this stop is included, but residents are encouraged to visit either way.
Juneteenth New England: Nashua
When: June 20, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 33 Pine Street
Cost: Free to attend
Nashua’s third annual Juneteenth New England will be held at Crossway Christian Church and serve as a celebration of Black culture, joy, and history. Dancing, food, and storytelling are at the heart of this gathering, which is meant to highlight the traditions of Black Americans. Additional details, including food vendors and a schedule of events, are forthcoming as of writing. Please click here to keep an eye on updates as they become available.
Juneteenth Celebration: Sandwich
When: June 19, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: 92 Millbridge Road
Cost: Free to attend
On June 19, Sandwich is holding its third annual Juneteenth Celebration along the banks of Squam Lake at Camp Hale. Dinner will be served, and the official flyer for the event notes that it will be a time for connection and celebration of Black community and culture. While it’s completely free to attend, RSVPs are required to ensure that organizers know how many people to expect. To fill out your form in advance, use this link.
Juneteenth Celebration: Keene
When: June 19, 5 p.m.
Where: Fuller Park, 312 Washington Street
Cost: Free to attend
In Keene, a family-friendly event is being held in partnership with the city and the Keene Family YMCA. Live musical performances are scheduled with JohnLu Devo, Samir Evans, and Jazzlyn Mota. Additional information, including what type of food will be available and what other programs are being held that day, is not available on the digital invitation. However, other events and movie screenings are being held in celebration of Juneteenth prior to the official June 19 event. You can learn more about those here.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
