NMAAHC Kids Juneteenth Story Time
11 a.m.–noon; Classroom, Level 2
Designed for children ages 3–8, this program features a reading of Tonya Abari’s Let’s Celebrate Juneteenth, led by an NMAAHC Kids educator. Children will learn about Lee and create a colorful art project celebrating freedom.

The Juneteenth Cookout Playbook
Noon; Family History Center, Level 2
An interactive workshop exploring how to plan a Juneteenth cookout inspired by Lee’s favorite dishes, memories and traditions, highlighting food as an expression of heritage and community.

Juneteenth Art Making
Noon–3 p.m.; Classroom, Level 2
Open to all ages, this hands-on experience centers the color red—symbolizing resilience and remembrance during Juneteenth. Visitors will create collages inspired by red objects and artworks from the museum’s collection.

Juneteenth Soundstage
11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Heritage Hall, Level 1
A lively lineup featuring a line-dancing workshop and a Juneteenth Go-Go music performance, inviting visitors to move, groove and celebrate together.

Juneteenth Activation at the Museum’s Store
All day; Heritage Hall, Level 1
A curated selection of Juneteenth-themed apparel and books will be available, including:

• A Committee of One: How Faith + Action = A PurposeFULL Life by Opal Lee
• First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth by Angélique Roché
• Juneteenth: A Children’s Story by Opal Lee
• Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan

Exhibitions and Museum-Wide Programming

As part of its Juneteenth observance, the museum will also debut two new fine arts exhibitions Friday, June 12, “Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction” and “Reset: Abstraction Embodied in Design.” Together, the exhibitions explore how abstraction has shaped African American artistic expression across painting, sculpture, printmaking, furniture, textiles and lighting. A fully illustrated catalog, “Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction,” edited by NMAAHC’s deputy director Dr. Michelle D. Commander and published by Rizzoli Electa, accompanies the exhibition and is now available for purchase in the NMAAHC store and online. Visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/reset and https://nmaahc.si.edu/revelation for more information.

Throughout Juneteenth week and into the summer, the museum will offer additional on-site and virtual programs, including public talks, educational workshops and performances exploring the history and continuing significance of Black freedom. NMAAHC will also participate in the Smithsonian’s annual Summer Solstice celebration on Saturday, June 20. The celebration marks the official start of the summer season with events across the National Mall that feature art, music, performances and storytelling.

Food, Culture and Digital Resources

The museum’s Sweet Home Café will mark the occasion with a special Juneteenth-themed menu inspired by African American culinary traditions, offering visitors another way to celebrate the holiday through food and culture.

In addition to on-site experiences, NMAAHC continues to serve as a national resource through its Juneteenth website and digital toolkit, which include historical context, primary sources and educational materials designed for educators, families and community leaders to support meaningful Juneteenth observances nationwide.

About the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Since opening on Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed more than 13 million in-person visitors and millions more through its digital presence. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting, and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history. The museum continues to expand its reach through initiatives such as the Searchable Museum portal and other digital platforms. For more information, visit nmaahc.si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on X, Facebook, and Instagram, or call Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000. 

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Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture