Juneteenth - Commemorate Freedom Where History Lives: Hampton, VA.

Celebrate Juneteenth in Hampton

Here in Hampton, Virginia, Juneteenth holds special meaning. This city is not only where the first Africans in English North America arrived in 1619—it’s also where Fort Monroe earned the nickname “Freedom’s Fortress” during the Civil War because it served as a refuge for thousands of enslaved people fleeing the Confederacy, and where the Emancipation Proclamation was first read in the South, beneath the legendary Emancipation Oak at Hampton University.

With such powerful ties to African American history, Hampton is the perfect place to honor Juneteenth. From engaging museum exhibits to meaningful community events, there are many ways to reflect, celebrate, and learn. Here’s how you can take part in this year’s Juneteenth commemorations in Hampton:

2025 Juneteenth Events

Sankofa’s 14th Annual Remembrance Ceremony

June 14 from 11 AM – 2 PM | 📍 Outlook Beach at Fort Monroe | FREE

Remembrance is a spiritual ceremony honoring the millions of African men, women, and children who perished during the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The day’s events will include an annual Ceremonial Remembrance Walk around the Tree of Remembrance, a procession to the water, poetry, drumming and traditional songs and theatrical performances. At 12:00 noon an International Libation will be orchestrated by Baba Orimalade Ogunjimi of Ile Nago and will occur simultaneously internationally.

A Juneteenth Pageant – The Play

June 14 at 3 & 7:30 PM | 📍 The American Theatre

An Evening of History, Music, Laughter, and Secrets! This moving, often humorous, and memorable experience illuminates the origins and meaning of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. You will laugh and you may cry; most of all you will be enlightened to the true meaning of Juneteenth, also known as ‘Freedom Day!’  

Written and Directed by Marie St. Clair. Presented by the Hampton History Museum Association and Hampton Arts. Tickets are anticipated to sell out.

4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration- Peninsula

June 15 from 11:30 AM – 7 PM | 📍 Mill Point Park in Downtown Hampton | FREE

Celebrate Juneteenth in Hampton with a day of powerful reflection and joyful celebration! This annual event features live music, cultural performances, Black-owned vendors, food trucks, historical presentations, and family-friendly activities — all honoring the legacy of freedom and African American resilience. Don’t miss this vibrant community gathering!

The Soulful Tenors Former member of the Delfonics Joe BranchFormer members of Blue Magic-Fernando “Maurice” Kee and Robert “Buddy” Williamswill be thd Grand Finale!

Also, Phoebus HS basketball star and ” the Voice” contestant who chose John Legend ,Brian Darden II BDii will perform @the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration Sunday June 15th @Millpoint park in Hampton.

Juneteenth Beach Party

June 19 from 12-5 PM | 📍 Paradise Ocean Club | FREE

Celebrate culture, community, and summer vibes at this vibrant event hosted by the Virginia Black Film Festival. 

Featuring: Live Performance by 5 Starr; A collective of musicians, Chris Whitaker, Curdarius Swain, Jonathan Frazier, and Robert Wilkins, unite to create an exceptional experience for listeners. One can expect nothing less than a 5-star sound!

Sign the online guest list and receive a free gift at the party!

Road to Freedom Tour at Fort Monroe

June 19 | 📍 Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center | FREE

Celebrate Juneteenth with a free guided tour on Thursday, June 19, at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m., leading up to the Juneteenth Concert in Continental Park.

The 45-minute tour begins at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center (30 Ingalls Road), includes indoor and outdoor stops, and highlights the historic journey of freedom seekers. No registration required.

Juneteenth Concert

June 19 from 6 – 8 PM | 📍 Continental Park in Fort Monroe | FREE

Join us for the Juneteenth Concert on Thursday, June 19th, from 6–8 PM at Continental Park in Fort Monroe (4 Fenwick Road, Hampton, VA). Enjoy an evening of live performances, cultural celebration, and community spirit — free admission for all!

Featuring:

  • Violin Performance by Melanie The Violinist
  • Drum & Dance Performance by The Day Program
  • Hip Hop Performance by Night Train357
  • Blues Performance by Bobby Blackhat

The Virginia Black Film Festival

June 20 – 22 | 📍 The American Theatre & Hampton University

Celebrate Black stories through film, culture, and community at this multi-day festival in Hampton, VA. Featuring screenings, panels, red carpet events, and live experiences across Fort Monroe and Hampton University, the festival draws creatives, film lovers, and families alike.

Film Screenings – see a list of films here. For film schedule, go to VirginiaBlackFilmFestival.com/tickets and scroll all the way down. Click the white button that says “Screening Schedule.” Tickets are sold by Screening Block #s. Screening Blocks 1-4 are held at the American Theatre. Screening Blocks 5-10 will be at Ogden Hall at Hampton University. Weekend & Day Passes are also available.

Sessions by accomplished guest Speakers sold separately. See Tickets page for more info.

Hampton Roads Black Business Expo

June 21 & 22 | 📍 The American Theatre | FREE

The Hampton Roads Black Business Expo is one component of the Virginia Black Film Festival. This entire event will be the place to celebrate Juneteenth in Hampton Roads and Buy Black, by supporting Black Businesses and Black Filmmakers!

The Black Business Expo will take place Saturday and Sunday (June 21-22nd) inside the American Theatre 125 E. Mellen Street, Hampton, VA 23663, co-located with the movie screenings and panels of the film festival.

Plan Your Trip: Juneteenth Trip Itinerary 2025

Jump to: June 14 | June 15 | June 16 – 18 | June 19 | June 20 | June 21 | June 22

Tip: Get the Hampton Black History Sites Pass. Access is free & the link is texted to your phone. In the below itinerary, the 📲 icon notes locations you can check-into on your pass!

Saturday, June 14

11 AM: Sankofa’s 14th Annual Remembrance Ceremony

Attire: White or Traditional African garb. Beach-appropriate shoes. What to Bring: Fresh flowers for the Ancestral Offering. Beach chairs, blankets, and other beach paraphernalia. Bring your DRUMS and other music makers to celebrate these Ancestors and this culture!

Lunch: After the ceremony, grab lunch nearby at Firehouse Coffee 1881, Paradise Ocean Club, or The Deadrise – all of which have outdoor seating!

Daytime: Then, make your way to the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center 📲 and enjoy the AC as you browse the history exhibits. Before leaving, ask the staff about free tickets to the Casemate Museum and/or directions to the First Africans in Virginia Marker 📲.

Enjoy roaming around Fort Monroe – a popular area for casual exploring. History lovers might pack your headphones and listen to the cell phone tour as you venture, or you might just enjoy the view as you walk along the Seawall Trail. If you packed your beach gear, you might prefer return to Outlook Beach for some sunny rest & relaxation.

Dinner: Grab dinner at a Black-Owned restaurant or your fave vacation spot.

3 or 7:30 PM: A Juneteenth Pageant – The Play (Reminder: tickets are expected to sell out in advance!)

Sunday, June 15

11:30 AM – 7 PM: 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration- Peninsula

Lunch & Dinner: Don’t miss out on the all-day live entertainment at the celebration with tasty options from the food trucks that will be nearby or choose from one of the restaurants in Downtown Hampton.

Daytime: Take a break from the festivities and check the Hampton History Museum 📲 off your list. Located just a few blocks away from Mill Point Park, the exhibits here showcase the important contributions of African Americans to Hampton’s history.

June 16 – 18

Plan your day around the sites on the Hampton Black History Sites Pass that aren’t adjacent to the Juneteenth events:

Or by area:

More ideas:

Thursday, June 19

Breakfast: Sleep in & enjoy a leisurely breakfast as before a day jam-packed with fun & celebration. Enjoy relaxing waterfront views at Copper Barley inside The Landing Hotel, savor beignets from Mango Mangeaux at Simply Panache Place, or stay at the Black-Owned Magnolia House Inn, a charming bed & breakfast.

Lunch: Paradise Ocean Club

12 – 5 PM: Juneteenth Beach Party at Paradise Ocean Club

Bring Your Own… nothing, really. Paradise Ocean Club is a one-stop relaxation & event destination offering a private beach, tiki bar, full-service restaurant, & more!

1, 3, or 5 PM: Road to Freedom Tour at Fort Monroe

6-8 PM: Juneteenth Concert at Continental Park in Fort Monroe

Bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on and enjoy an evening of live performances, cultural celebration, and community spirit by the scenic Chesapeake Bay.

Dinner: The Deadrise restaurant in Fort Monroe closes at 9 PM or you can plan to try a new place in Phoebus, which is just across the bridge as you’re leaving.

Friday, June 20

10 AM – 10 PM: Virginia Black Film Festival at Ogden Hall, Hampton University

Check the schedule to see which films/screening blocks or speakers you want to plan your day around. Note: When visiting Hampton University, you’ll need to drive through the main gate to obtain a visitors parking pass.

Lunch: To stay on campus, you can eat at the dining hall – an impressive two-story atrium along the waterfront – or take a quick drive to nearby Palm Tree Caribbean for authentic Caribbean & Western food. Next door there’s also Palm Tree Vegan & Juice Bar with delicious plant-based meals even non-vegans enjoy.

Daytime ideas on the Hampton University campus:

black mother and son read history sign at emancipation oak at hampton university
  • Take a break & stretch your legs with a walk over to the Hampton University Museum (open weekdays 8 AM – 5 PM). Step inside the oldest African American museum in the U.S. and explore one of the most impressive multicultural art collections in America!
  • Visit the Emancipation Oak 📲 – the site of the first public Southern reading of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. With limbs sprawling over a hundred feet in diameter, the Emancipation oak is designated as one of the 10 Great Trees of the World by the National Geographic Society.
  • Bring your headphones & listen to the Cell Phone Tour for Hampton University, one of the country’s most prestigious HBCUs. The tour starts at the Armstrong Lincoln Memorial, but since it loops, you can jump to which ever stop is nearby – including the Hampton University Museum or Emancipation Oak.

Dinner: Dine where the locals do at nearby favorites like STUFT (Mexican-inspired street food), Skrimp Shack, or Mama Rosa’s Italian Family Restaurant.

8 PM: That 90’s Rave – Hear the biggest tracks of the 90s plus remixes from the pre Y2K era at The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery. Tickets

Saturday, June 21

10 AM – 5 PM: Virginia Black Film Festival & Hampton Roads Black Business Expo

Check the schedule to see which films/screening blocks or speakers you want to plan your day around. In between showings, visit the Black Business Expo being held in conjunction with the film festival.

Note: If attending at Hampton University, you’ll need to drive through the main gate to obtain a visitors parking pass.

Lunch

  • if at Hampton University you might take the opportunity to eat at the campus dining hall – an impressive two-story atrium along the waterfront.
  • if at The American Theatre in Phoebus there are several options within walking distance. Fuller’s Raw Bar is a must for oyster lovers or Black-Owned Native Soul Bar offers vegan meals to-go

5-8 PM: Block Party Unplugged

Head to Downtown Hampton, where a section of Queens Way serves as an outdoor ‘streatery’ for several nearby restaurants. Today happens to overlap with Block Party Unplugged, so come sip, sway, & stay awhile under the summer sky!

Dinner: Downtown

Sunday, June 22

10 AM – 4:30 PM: Virginia Black Film Festival & Hampton Roads Black Business Expo

Check the schedule to see which films/screening blocks or speakers you want to plan your day around. In between showings, visit the Black Business Expo being held in conjunction with the film festival.

Lunch: You won’t want to miss brunch at Mango Manguaux in Phoebus, whose menu features French, Creole and Neo-Soul cuisine.

Family Tree Brochure: A guide to African American heritage sites in Hampton.