Juneteenth Celebration

About Juneteenth

Juneteenth (short for "June Nineteenth") marks the day when Federal Troops arrived in Galveston, TX in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people would be freed. The troops' arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a Federal Holiday.

Since 2021, Baytown’s Juneteenth festival has been dedicated to honoring and celebrating the 1865 emancipation of enslaved people. This event shines a spotlight on African American history, culture, and community, led by local minority leaders and hosted by the City of Baytown. Recognized for its cultural impact across the state, it has received a Texas Travel Award for Best Community Event.

Baytown's Juneteenth Celebration is held a Saturday closest to June 19th each year.

Baytown’s 2026 Juneteenth Celebration

Get ready for a night of community and freedom as the City of Baytown and the Juneteenth Committee presents its Juneteenth Celebration. This free concert includes live music, shopping vendors, food vendors, games, and activities. The night of music will include a ceremony and will end with a firework display that can’t be missed.

2026 Event Date

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Event Highlights

Free live music concert
Food vendors
Shopping vendors
Family activities (some paid, some free)
Free swag thrown off-stage
Firework show

Event Tips

Bring your chairs/blankets
Shade tents are allowed for the first half of the concert
Coolers are allowed, but no glass containers or alcohol

Location

Bicentennial Park, 1001 Market St, Baytown, TX 77520

Parking

Public parking is generally available at Lee College across the street from the park, while those needing access to handicap parking will be accommodated at the Lee College Performing Arts Center.

Event Guidelines

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, please follow these guidelines that apply to all special events at Bicentennial Park:

Motorized vehicles are not allowed within park grounds.
Pets are welcome, but must be domesticated and kept on a leash at all times.
Farm animals, exotic pets, and unleashed animals are not permitted.
Smoking is not allowed in any seating areas, unless designated as a smoking area.
Drones may not be flown within the park.
BBQ pits, grills, and open flames are not allowed.
Please use only non-glass containers during your visit.
No alcohol allowed on property.
All bags and coolers are subject to inspection at any time.

All rules apply unless otherwise approved for accessibility needs, staff vehicles, sponsors, or vendors.

Sponsorships

About Sponsorships

The City of Baytown's mission in organizing this annual celebration is to bring the community together to honoring and celebrating the 1865 emancipation of enslaved people on June 19, 1865. We aim to produce a high-quality celebration that includes top-tier live entertainment and safe, enjoyable fun for the Houston-Baytown community!

A great deal of our future success will be attributed to our generous sponsors! Our event sponsors have the advantage of supporting events organized by the City of Baytown's Parks and Recreation Department that accommodate an average of 7,000 attendees per each of our major events.

Local support is vital to this operation, as these sponsorships assist in providing attendees everything from safety and facility services to quality entertainment that brings the Baytown and surrounding communities closer together. Attendees enjoy live entertainment and have access to food, art, and service vendors throughout the events.

Click here to learn more about becoming a sponsor

Come back to Baytown for another vibrant cultural festival celebrating Caribbean culture, art, music, and food at Baytown’s Biggest Blocko! Caribbean Vibes is a high-energy experience featuring dancing, live entertainment, street theatre, shopping, exotic cuisine, and interactive fun. Free admission and entertainment, hosted by the Historic Baytown ACE (Arts, Culture, & Entertainment) Council!

Date: Saturday, August 29
Time: 6 PM
Location: Baytown Town Square – 213 West Texas, Baytown, TX 77520

This will be a colorful, high-energy night packed with music, dancing, food, and community fun you don’t want to miss. They are still looking for vendors! If you sell food, crafts, art, or unique products, this is your chance to showcase your business in front of a large crowd. For more information and vendor opportunities, visit: www.acedistrictbaytown.org

Explore Baytown

Baytown, Texas is situated in the gulf coast region of Texas among the scenic waterways that once witnessed the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution! Just 30 minutes east of Houston and 50 minutes north of Galveston, Baytown is a convenient location to explore. In Baytown you can experience fun activities like geocaching, to a night at the theater, or relaxing on the water! Experience Baytown like a local – support small, explore more, and discover community.