NYCGuide
Exciting Things To Do & Eat In NYC For Juneteenth
photo credit: David A. Lee
Juneteenth is coming up, and there are plenty of exciting ways to celebrate Black pride and culture throughout the weekend. Many of them involve food, honoring the rich culinary history of the African-American diaspora and celebrating all of the Black-owned businesses in our city. Spend your weekend eating everything from coconut crepes to unlimited roast pork while enjoying a variety of performances, parties, and exhibits.
This weekend, from 12-7pm, Weeksville Heritage Center, a community-based arts organization, and Black-Owned Brooklyn, a publication spotlighting Black-owned, Brooklyn based businesses, are partnering for their first annual Juneteenth Food Festival. Eat your way through 21 Black food vendors with cuisine representing nations across the African diaspora, including some of our favorites like Dept. of Culture and Lakou Cafe. Local Black collectives like Blackspace will also provide programming centered on Black foodways and cooking demonstrations. More info here.
In addition to a food festival, Weeksville Heritage Center's Juneteenth series involves a dance floor to celebrate on at Nowadays. NYC’s legendary daytime party Mister Sunday is doing a Juneteenth Takeover from 3-7pm this Sunday featuring performances by Underground Resistance’s Mark Flash, Nomadico, and SHYBOI. A grill menu from Diner by the Izakaya will be available. RSVP here for a reduced ticket price before 5pm, or get your tickets at the door. A portion of the day’s proceeds will support future abolition-related programming at WHC.
photo credit: Kate Previte
On June 19th, Chefs Nana Wilmot (Le Coucou, La Mercerie), Lana Lagomarsini (Gramercy Tavern, Daniel), and Deborah Jean (La Mercerie) will host a Juneteenth Block Party at OStudio At Night. From 12-5pm, DJs will play some tunes while you enjoy a menu of Junenteenth-inspired dishes like ribs with tamarind BBQ sauce, Ghana coconut crepes, Haitian-style guava pound cake, and more. Buy tickets here.
DaleView Biscuits and Beer is doing it big this Sunday at the Big Roast with unlimited roast pork, smoked chicken, fixings, and drinks throughout the entire day for $150. Ins-and-outs are allowed, though we don’t know how mobile you’ll be with all of that smoked meat and beer inside of you. Last call is at 10pm, and kids 10 and under eat for free. Buy tickets here.
The Stonewall Inn is celebrating Juneteenth the best way they know how: drag, drinks, and mutual support. They’ve teamed up with Impulse Group NYC and The Phluid Project to host The Invasion: Juneteenth Edition, an evening celebrating African-American queer culture. The event will raise money for The Sylvia Rivera Law Project, which works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. Come by on Sunday after 9pm. There's a $5 suggested donation at the door, and all proceeds go to SRLP.
In partnership with the Museum of Food and Drink, The Africa Center is hosting a Juneteenth celebration to honor and educate the public about the incredible contributions Black chefs, farmers, and food and drink producers have made to American food culture. Join them in East Harlem for free admission to the last day of "African/American: Making the Nation’s Table." There will also be shopping from Harlem-based vendors, Divine Nine Greek strolling, live music, and more. RSVP for free admission and a boxed lunch with Chef Lexis Gonzales.
The Lay Out's third annual Juneteenth Celebration is a Black and proud extravaganza with everything from meditation, a Black historical walking tour that includes a pitstop at Lil’ Kim’s former abode, a food and goods market, and plenty of dancing. Come by Fort Greene Park this Sunday to get spiritually sorted, support Black brands, and then head to the after party at Cafe Erzulie. More info here.
This year, Juneteenth falls on Father’s Day, and you can celebrate both at BK9 on Sunday. Come by for Father’s Day Brunch or Dinner where you, your dad, and any other fun dads you know can eat oxtail hash and banana rum coconut waffles and also enjoy some live music after 5pm. Reservations are required all weekend, make yours here.
