The Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County, in partnership with the City of Asheville, has planned the 2025 Juneteenth Celebration to create a diverse schedule of events that fosters broad participation, promotes community awareness and appreciation, and celebrates the liberation of enslaved people.
Dating back to 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, June 19 marked the arrival of Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, at Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people were now free. This started the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.
The City of Asheville designated Juneteenth as a city holiday in 2021.
All events are free and open to the public. The Juneteenth Discussions Sessions will feature either a film or dinner, followed by local leaders speaking on topics such as removing Confederate monuments and genealogy. Also, the public is invited to celebrate Juneteenth at Downtown After 5 and at the Juneteenth Gala.
Event Schedule
Monday, June 16 5:30p.m. – 8p.m.
“ A Time to Yell”: Film and Discussion
Stephen Lee Community Center
Tuesday, June 17 5:30p.m. – 8p.m.
“Life of Julius Rosendwald”: Film and Discussion
Stephens Lee Community Center
Wednesday, June 18 5:30p.m. – 8p.m.
Sasha Mitchell – Genealogical Research: Dinner and Discussion
Stephens Lee Community Center
Thursday, June 19 12p.m.- 2p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration of Song with Mary D. Williams
Shiloh Friendship Center, 142 Shiloh Rd.
Thursday, June 19 6p.m. – 9p.m.
Gala & Fashion Show (reserve free tickets)
AB-Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr.
Friday, June 20 5p.m. – 9p.m.
Downtown After 5 Juneteenth Celebration
Pack Square Park
All events are free and open to the public due to the generous donations and/or sponsorships of the following organizations:
The City of Asheville
Mission Health
Givens Communities
Deerfield Charitable Foundation
Dogwood Heath Trust
Biltmore
Advent Health
AB Tech Community College
Black Wall St AVL