Celebrate Juneteenth in Lincoln Square

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865—the day the last enslaved people in the U.S. learned they were free. It’s a time to honor Black history, culture, and joy. This year, Lincoln Square offers a range of events from June 18 through 21 to mark the occasion with music, storytelling, reflection, and celebration.

Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City series presents several special events in honor of Juneteenth. Kicking things off is Comedy Underground with NYLaughs on Wednesday, June 18 at 8:00pm at The Underground at Jaffe Drive—spotlighting women in comedy while also marking the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live and the Juneteenth holiday. Emmy-nominated comedian and former SNL writer Sam Jay headlines the free event, alongside other female comics. 

The following evening, June 19, Oh Sankofa!: A Juneteenth Celebration with Black Theatre United unfolds in two parts, beginning at 6:00pm at Hearst Plaza (30 Lincoln Center Plaza) and continuing at 7:30pm at Damrosch Park (Amsterdam Avenue & West 62nd Street). Curated by Carl Hancock Rux, the event honors African and African-American folklore through music, movement, and storytelling, featuring artists such as Phyllis Stickney, Vinson Fraley, Chanon Judson, Marvin Sewell, and the Etienne Lashley choir. On June 19 at 7:30pm, The Tune Up: A Juneteenth Celebration takes place at the David Rubenstein Atrium (1887 Broadway between West 62nd and West 63rd Street) and features SLP & The Joyful Noise, a nine-piece band led by Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist Suzan-Lori Parks. Directed by Niegel Smith, the show is an energetic blend of short plays, American music, and dynamic performance that celebrates identity through bold ideas, music, and community.

Earlier in the day on June 19, NYC Parks offers Juneteenth: Seneca Village at 1:00pm in Central Park (West 81st Street and Central Park West). This event highlights Seneca Village and its residents—an area from West 82nd to West 89th Street that was once home to New York’s largest African-American property-owning community before Central Park was built. Later that day, Juneteenth Jubilee: Roads & Pathways led by C. Anthony Bryant takes place at Dizzy’s Club (Broadway at 60th Street) with performances at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, offering a powerful night of music, storytelling, and community. Presented in three acts—remembrance, transformation, and joy—the program blends spirituals, gospel, spoken word, and Afro-futurist sounds to celebrate Black history with both tradition and fresh energy. 

The celebrations conclude on June 21 at 7:00 pm with Musicians for Justice: Juneteenth Jazz Jubilee at the New York Society for Ethical Culture’s Adler Hall (2 W 64th Street at Central Park West). Presented with Music on The Inside, this benefit concert features top jazz artists and MOTI protégés—formerly incarcerated individuals in the organization’s mentorship program—performing music by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Mahalia Jackson, and more to celebrate hope, justice, and the power of art. You can attend this event in-person or online.

These Juneteenth events in Lincoln Square offer a rich blend of history, culture, and celebration—inviting all to engage, learn, and uplift the spirit of freedom and resilience. Join the community in honoring the past while embracing the vibrant present and future of Black culture. For even more ways to commemorate the day, explore NYC & Company’s Guide to Celebrating Juneteenth in NYC, and discover free events, books, and resources from the New York Public Library.

Photo Credit: Oh Sankofa!: A Juneteenth Celebration by Lawrence Sumulong