By Cherith Glover Fluker | For the Birmingham Times
Birmingham will commemorate Juneteenth throughout June with a range of events across the city.
This year, celebrations stretch from America’s oldest ballpark to Kelly Ingram Park, where the Civil Rights Movement made its stand.
What binds these events together is not only a shared date on the calendar. It is a shared refusal to let history settle quietly.
Juneteenth in Birmingham carries a weight that few other American cities can match. This is a city where the struggle for civil rights was publicly, violently and visibly contested. It is where children marched, where churches were bombed, where fire hoses were turned on people whose only offense was demanding to be treated as human beings. It is also where those people won.
The legal framework that defines American freedom today, notably the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, owes part of its shape to what happened on these streets.
Alabama took a meaningful step last year when Gov. Ivey signed Juneteenth into law as the state’s 16th official paid holiday. The celebrations this year are, in part, a recognition of that progress and a reminder of how much advocacy it took to get here.
Years of organizing by legislators, community leaders and advocates who understood that recognition, even when it comes late, matters.
Freedom declared is not always freedom delivered. Birmingham knows that better than most. And so, year after year, the city shows up to remember what it cost, and to celebrate, without apology, what it looks like now.
Here is a look at what the city has planned:
East-West Classic at Rickwood Field
Friday, June 19. Home Run Derby at noon; game at 1 p.m. CT. at Rickwood Field. General admission: $12 at mlb.com/rickwood. Free parking at Legion Field with shuttle service provided.
For the third consecutive year, Major League Baseball has chosen Birmingham and Juneteenth as the setting for its East-West Classic — a tribute to the Negro Leagues All-Star Games held from 1933 to 1962. The event returns to Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in America.
Hall of Famer CC Sabathia will captain the West and former All-Star Chris Young will be at the helm of the East, with managers Jerry Hairston Sr. and Jesse Barfield also on the field. The combined roster spans 276 Major League seasons, with eight World Series titles, 49 All-Star appearances, 24 Silver Slugger Awards, a Cy Young Award and 10 Gold Gloves among its participants.
The festivities begin with a Home Run Derby at noon, followed by the first pitch at 1 p.m.
Built in 1910, Rickwood Field was home to the Birmingham Black Barons from 1924 through 1960 and where a teenage Willie Mays began his professional career.
“We truly appreciate the opportunity to go back to Birmingham on Juneteenth,” Young said. “There’s no better place to honor the legends who helped build the foundation of our game.”
MLB will also host a Juneteenth PLAY BALL event at the newly refurbished Willie Mays Park in Fairfield.
“East-West Classic: All Access” will air on the MLB Network on Saturday, June 27 at 1 p.m. ET.
Official National Juneteenth of Alabama Commemoration
Friday, June 19. Parade lineup at 8 a.m.; commemoration from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Kelly Ingram Park, 500 17th St. N.
There may be no more fitting backdrop for Juneteenth than Kelly Ingram Park. In the spring of 1963, the park was the stage for some of the Civil Rights Movement’s most pivotal and painful scenes. Police turned fire hoses and dogs on marchers, and photographers captured images that would shift a nation’s conscience and ultimately help break the back of legal segregation.
On June 19, that same ground will host the Official National Juneteenth of Alabama Commemoration, organized by Brenda Paige Ward, the Official National Juneteenth State Director of Alabama.
The day opens with a parade at 9 a.m., with the lineup beginning at 8 a.m. The full commemoration follows from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will include vendors, food trucks, dancers, antique and classic cars, bikers, horses and stop-the-violence banners.
This year’s commemoration marks a milestone. In June 2025, Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Alabama Juneteenth Bill into law, making Juneteenth the state’s 16th official paid state holiday. June 19, 2026, is the first time Alabamians will observe the holiday with full legal recognition.
Organizers expect this year’s commemoration to be among the most expansive yet.
Juneteenth Jubilee: A District-Wide Celebration
Friday, June 19. Block party from 1 to 8 p.m. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th St. N; 16th Street Baptist Church, 1530 Sixth Ave. N; A.G. Gaston Motel, 1510 Fifth Ave. N. Free admission at all historic sites.
This year, Birmingham’s Civil Rights District is doing something new for Juneteenth. Rather than a collection of separate events happening near one another, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church, the National Park Service and the A.G. Gaston Motel have joined forces to create a unified, district-wide experience called Juneteenth Jubilee. This gives visitors the chance to move freely through some of the most historically significant blocks in the South, all in a single day.
For Deborah Bowie, the new president and CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, this particular Juneteenth carries personal weight.
“This celebration means a great deal to me personally because, in many ways, returning to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute feels like coming home,” Bowie said. “The community has welcomed me with open arms, and in a relatively short period of time, we’ve already seen what is possible when people come together around a shared vision.”
The programming spans the full district. The BCRI’s galleries will be open and free to the public from noon to 4 p.m., with gallery entry ending at 3:15 p.m.
The 16th Street Baptist Church Museum will open its galleries free of charge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The National Park Service will offer two free guided tours of the Civil Rights National Monument at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Space is limited to 25 people per tour, and registration is required.
At the A.G. Gaston Motel, the gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with Alicia’s Coffee serving from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and The Gift Shop on 5th will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
From 1 to 8 p.m., portions of 16th Street North and Fifth Avenue will be closed for a block party featuring food trucks, vendors, live music, dancing, and community organizations gathered in what organizers are calling a Community Village — a space where residents can connect with nonprofits, civic groups and others doing work across Birmingham.
Families will find a dedicated kids’ zone with face painting, hands-on activities centered on growing and cultivating from the earth, and sports mascots. Kulture City will bring its sensory van on-site. Ebony Arrington, owner of Ebony Arrington Dance & Performance, will lead line dancing from 5 to 7 p.m.
The centerpiece of this year’s event, however, is something Bowie is clearly proud of: an activation called Joy in Bloom, born from a discovery her team made while researching the history of Juneteenth itself.
“As our team was researching the history of Juneteenth celebrations, we came across photographs and accounts from early 20th-century Texas communities celebrating what was often called Jubilee Day,” Bowie said. “People dressed in their finest clothes gathered for parades and rode in horse-drawn carriages beautifully adorned with flowers. There was something incredibly moving about those images. They reminded us that joy has always been part of the story.”
Joy in Bloom will feature a floral-adorned carriage inspired by those early Jubilee Day celebrations, with a professional photographer on site to capture portraits that attendees can receive digitally, with optional prints available on-site. Interpretive panels will share the history behind the installation, so the photo opportunity becomes a learning moment as much as a keepsake.
“What I love most is that it’s more than just a photo opportunity to share on Instagram or Facebook. It’s a learning moment about the significance of Juneteenth and its historical relevance to today,” Bowie said. “It feels like a beautiful way to connect past and present and to celebrate freedom in the same spirit of joy, pride and community that generations before us embraced.”
Bowie is also clear-eyed about why celebrating Juneteenth in this particular district carries meaning that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
“When you stand in the Civil Rights District, you’re standing in a place where ordinary people made extraordinary sacrifices in the pursuit of freedom and justice,” she said.
A Vibe Called Black
Saturday, June 20. Guest arrival at 7:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony at 8:00 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. Tickets at Eventbrite. Attire: All-black, cocktail preferred.
Now in its third year, “A Vibe Called Black” is a black-tie soirée hosted by the Past Present Future Organization, founded by sisters Olivia Anthony and Jennifer Anthony Williams to bridge generational divides within Birmingham’s Black community.
The event was born from a vision rooted in family and purpose, and its origins are as personal as its mission.
“This event was inspired by our mother, Felicia Anthony, who had a vision to celebrate Black entrepreneurs doing incredible work in our city, yet often going unrecognized for their impact,” said Anthony. “She brought the two of us, along with her best friend Donna Thomas, together for a simple lunch that turned into something much bigger. Her intention was clear: to merge generations in one room.”
The evening begins the moment guests arrive. There’s champagne and mingling in the museum’s galleries before guests are escorted into the main hall for a program honoring four outstanding Black entrepreneurs. Then comes the celebration: dancing, connection and, in the words of Anthony, “bridging the gap for yourself, your business, and your legacy.”
This year’s honorees represent a cross-section of Birmingham’s community builders. Royal Boles uses her podcast, “Under Construxtion,” to amplify those making a difference across the city. Quincy Moore has built his legacy through his barbershop and now an expanding media presence. Rev. Dr. Kurt Clark Sr. is a pastor and visionary leader creating change within his church and community. And Jacobie Williams continues to invest in Birmingham’s youth, helping them reach their potential.
Each honoree will receive a proceeds award as part of the evening.
“Last year, our honorees had no idea they would be receiving a proceeds award,” said Williams. “Seeing their genuine reactions, the overwhelming emotion in the room — it was unforgettable. We cried too.”
Last year, more than 300 guests turned the Birmingham Museum of Art into a room where multiple generations of Birmingham’s Black community dressed up, showed up and celebrated together. The sisters believe that kind of turnout tells a story about what the city is hungry for.
“We truly believe Birmingham is craving moments to get dressed up and step fully into who they are,” Williams said. “People want to be in rooms with other like-minded, goal-oriented individuals. While we’re celebrating Black culture, this is also about unity. We welcome everyone into the room, because it takes collective support to elevate Black entrepreneurs to their highest level.”
Juneteenth Family Fun Celebration
Friday, June 19, 3:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Warehouse 1701. 1701 Ave. E, Ensley, Birmingham 35218. Free and open to the public. Bring your lawn chairs.
Birmingham’s Juneteenth calendar has a new addition this year. The first Juneteenth Family Fun Celebration is exactly what it sounds like: a family-friendly afternoon in Ensley with music, food vendors, raffles, bounce houses and a kids’ corner. Event Organizer Sanchelle Rankin says guests can expect a laid-back and welcoming vibe. The event is open to everyone.
“Kids’ corner will be a great place for children to play while their parents shop and sit down and relax and enjoy the nice vibes,” Rankin said. “I hope everyone will have a great fun and cultural experience.”
For Rankin, this event is personal. Growing up, she remembers traveling to Philadelphia every Fourth of July to visit her grandparents, where her grandfather threw a block party for the neighborhood. That memory stuck with her and eventually became the inspiration for this new event in Birmingham.
“Juneteenth to me is a time for celebration for family, friends and the community to come together and celebrate our freedom as our ancestors did,” Rankin said. “I always think about that memory as a little girl, so I said why not bring my grandfather’s vision together for Juneteenth.”
Kiwanis Club of Vulcan — Sips & Scholarships Juneteenth Brunch
Sunday, June 14, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Alcove Birmingham. 1713 4th Ave N. Birmingham 35203. Tickets at Eventbrite.
The Kiwanis Club of Vulcan is back for its 4th annual Sips & Scholarships Juneteenth Brunch, a fundraiser event. What began as a vision to serve has grown into a tradition of impact. The event brings together neighbors, leaders, and families year after year in the spirit of celebration and giving.
It’s an event where raising a glass also means raising money for the next generation of students, and where every seat at the table represents a belief that education is one of the most powerful investments a community can make in its own future.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Magic City Freedom Fest Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 19, 2 to 8 p.m. Bodega on 5th, 3401 Fifth Ave. S, Birmingham. Tickets for the indoor event available at Eventbrite. The outdoor street market is free and open to all.
Magic City Freedom Fest Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the Magic City Freedom Fest Collective and co-hosted by the Black Alumni Network at UAB, brings a marketplace and festival format to Juneteenth with a dual setup designed to welcome a broad audience. The indoor event at Bodega on 5th is 21 and older, while the outdoor vendor and food truck street market — on a blocked-off street outside the venue — is open to families and all ages.
Nathaniel Redus, event organizer, says the event is rooted in a desire to give the holiday the recognition it deserves.
“Juneteenth needs more recognition and opportunities for those who are looking to take pride in its celebration,” Redus said. “Our goal is to bring awareness to the holiday for a day of family and culture.”
Attendees can expect live entertainment alongside vendors, food trucks and artists showcasing their products and skills. Redus says the hope is that the evening creates lasting connections.
“We hope that everyone enjoys a fun and safe experience while being able to engage with strangers to become friends,” he said. “We also look forward to all the local talent and art getting the exposure they deserve.”
The Royalty Experience Juneteenth Day Party & Pop-Up Shop
Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastlake Professional Building, 8436 First Ave. N, Birmingham 35206. Free admission. All are welcome.
Presented by Gregory Snodgress of Tru Royalty, the Royalty Experience brings Juneteenth weekend to the Eastlake community with a full day celebrating freedom, unity and empowerment. According to a recent news segment, the event is free and open to everyone, with vendors, live performers, guest speakers, food, games, cultural exhibits, giveaways and a kids’ zone all on the program.
Headlining the event is Alabama’s Kountry O, joined by live performances from Soso the Model and Willie Reed & Guests, with Models by John Reon also on the lineup. Special guest speaker Shon Robinson — motivator, entrepreneur and community leader — takes the stage at 2 p.m.
For more information on Juneteenth events in Birmingham, contact event organizers directly. The Birmingham Times will update listings as additional details are confirmed.
