Local MLK Association and City of Asheville announce 2026 Juneteenth Celebration events June 16-20

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County, in partnership with the City of Asheville, has planned the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration to create a diverse schedule of events that fosters broad participation, promotes community awareness and appreciation, and celebrates the liberation of enslaved people.

Dating back to 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, June 19 marked the arrival of Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, at Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people were now free. This started the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.

The City of Asheville designated Juneteenth as a city holiday in 2021.

All events are free and open to the public.

Event Schedule

Celebrating the Community
Tuesday, June 16 | 5:30PM – 8:00PM
Location: Stephens Lee Community Center

The annual memorial program of civil rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who were murdered on June 21, 1964. And the debut of a documentary video on the history and work of the MLK Association, highlighting the life of Dr. Oralene Simmons, the creation of the Asheville Prayer Breakfast, and the impact the Association has had on WNC.

Black Asheville 411
Wednesday, June 17 | 5:30PM – 7:00PM
Location: Stephens Lee Community Center

“Black Asheville 411” is a panel discussion about celebrating Asheville’s Black community. Representatives of organizations that hold African American centered events in Asheville (Just Folks/Triangle Park events, The Block Collaborative/Ujamaa Marketplace, Grind AVL/Grindfest, YMI Cultural Center/Goombay, Legacy Neighborhoods Coalition/Village Fest)will discuss their organization, their history/purpose, their event, and their goals.

LEGENDARY: Celebrating The Legacy of John R. Hayes.
Thursday, June 18 | 6:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: Eulogy
After he passed in 2021, the City of Asheville proclaimed June 18 as John R. Hayes Day to honor his decades of racial justice leadership. This event will feature a live performance by the John R. Hayes Highsteppin’ Majorettes and Drum Corps at 6p followed by a program inside the event space with remarks from community leaders and screening of selections from an in-progress documentary about Elder Hayes and his legacy. Free food will be provided by community partner Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, with a cash bar and event space provided by community partner Burial Beer. This event is open to the public with general admission (standing room only) available for a $15 suggested donation and limited reserved seating available for $50. Proceeds benefit the non-profit Umoja Health Wellness & Justice Collective, which carries forward the legacy that began with John R. Hayes.

The Block Collaborative
Friday, June 19 | 12:00PM – 8:00PM
Location: Eagle and Market Streets, Downtown Asheville
Take advatange of the various events hosted by MLK, City of Asheville and partners:

Boosting the Block Luncheon & bench unveiling (11 a.m. @ YMI)
Goombay Celebrations (11 a.m. @Triangle Park)
Ujamaa Marketplace (12 p.m. @ S. Market St.)
Seersucker &Sundresses (3 p.m. @YMI)
Backyard Day & Night Partities (3 p.m. @Foundry Hotel)
Vibe & Glide (Skate night on The Block) (5 p.m. @Eagle St.)

Downtown After 5
Friday, June 19 | 5:00PM
Location: Pack Square

Visit the marketplace in The Block, grab food from local vendors, and head on over to Pack Square Park to enjoy soulful music from headliner Kanika Moore and Reggie Headen & the Nite Time Noon.

Gala and Fashion Show
Saturday, June 20 6:00PM – 9:00 PM
Location: A-B Tech Conference