Juneteenth is a time for celebration in Asheville as the community gathers to reflect on the end of American slavery and the work for equality that continues today.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville/Buncombe County and the City of Asheville host a weeklong Juneteenth celebration. This celebration, featuring educational and festive events, is a testament to our shared commitment to honor and remember the past while striving for a more inclusive future.
Juneteenth 2026 Events in Asheville
All events listed below are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Celebrating the Community
Tuesday, June 16 | 5:30PM – 8:00PM Stephens-Lee Community Center
A memorial program honoring civil rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who were murdered on June 21, 1964. The evening also marks 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 Association's impact on Western North Carolina.
Black Asheville 411
Wednesday, June 17 | 5:30PM – 7:00PM Stephens-Lee Community Center
A panel discussion celebrating Asheville's Black community. Representatives from organizations behind some of Asheville's most beloved African American–centered events — including Just Folks/Triangle Park, The Block Collaborative/Ujamaa Marketplace, Grind AVL/Grindfest, YMI Cultural Center/Goombay, and Legacy Neighborhoods Coalition/Village Fest — will discuss their organization's history, purpose, and goals.
LEGENDARY: Celebrating The Legacy of John R. Hayes.
Thursday, June 18 | 6:00PM – 9:00PM Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville
After John R. Hayes 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 features a live performance by the John R. Hayes Highsteppin' Majorettes and Drum Corps at 6PM, followed by remarks from community leaders and screenings from an in-progress documentary about Elder Hayes and his legacy. Free food provided by Bear's Smokehouse BBQ; cash bar and event space provided by Burial Beer.
General admission (standing room only): $15 suggested donation. Limited reserved seating: $50. Proceeds benefit the Umoja Health Wellness & Justice Collective.
The Block Collaborative
Friday, June 19 | 12:00PM – 8:00PM Eagle and Market Streets, Downtown Asheville
A full-day celebration on the historic Block in the heart of downtown Asheville.
Downtown After 5: Juneteenth Edition
Friday, June 19 | 5:00PM Pack Square Park, Downtown Asheville
Asheville's beloved free outdoor concert series celebrates Juneteenth with headliner Kanika Moore and Reggie Headen & the Nite Time Noon. Visit the marketplace on The Block, grab food from local vendors, and connect with community nonprofit partner the MLK Jr. Association.
Juneteenth Gala and Fashion Show
Saturday, June 20 | 6:00PM – 9:00PM AB-Tech Conference Center
A celebratory evening capping the week's events. Ticket and table reservation information coming soon.
Learn More: Asheville's Black Cultural Heritage Trail
Asheville's Black Cultural Heritage Trail officially opened to the public in December 2023, allowing travelers and locals to connect with the city's rich Black history. From well-known figures like Nina Simone, who attended boarding school in Asheville (her nearby childhood home will soon be open to the public), to community landmarks like the YMI Cultural Center, one of the oldest Black community centers in America, to everyday citizens like William R. “Seabron” Saxon, who refused to give up his bus seat four years before Rosa Parks, the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail unearths intimate and fascinating stories of dignity, struggle and resilience.
The trail comprises 14 stops and 20 panels across three historically significant Black neighborhoods. You can experience all the digital content here.
