Juneteenth carries both weight and joy. It marks a long-awaited freedom, honors the generations who carried that history forward, and creates space for people to gather through music, art, food, books, poetry, dance, and family traditions.
Across Greater Fort Lauderdale, this year's Juneteenth events offer many ways to participate. Start with an art exhibition rooted in memory, make room for family-friendly activities, hear spoken words under the evening sky, or connect with Black history through library programs.
Here's how Greater Fort Lauderdale is marking the occasion.
Experience Juneteenth Through Art and Culture
A meaningful Juneteenth itinerary can begin before the holiday itself at Juneteenth Experience: Where We Stay, a free visual art exhibition opening Saturday, June 13, at the Daisy Arts Center in Fort Lauderdale as part of Hued Songs' Juneteenth Experience 2026.
Featuring nine Broward-based visual artists, the exhibition explores what home means within Black communities through works centered on family, memory, adornment, personal experience, and cultural legacy. The show also celebrates the history of the Sistrunk neighborhood and honors Dr. James and Daisy Sistrunk, whose home became a gathering place for jazz musicians, dignitaries, artists, and community leaders.
Attend Juneteenth Events at Broward County Libraries
For additional opportunities to explore the history and significance of Juneteenth, Broward County Library offers programming throughout the month at branches across the county.
The spotlight event is the Blues and Sweet Potato Pie Festival on Saturday, June 13, at the Northwest Branch Library. The festival features live music, food, historical programming, and activities for families.
At other branches, visitors can participate in programs focused on Black history, the Civil Rights Movement, art, and Florida's Underground Railroad. Whether you're visiting with children or setting aside time to reflect, these programs provide meaningful ways to engage with the h
Family-Friendly Juneteenth Activities in Greater Fort Lauderdale
On Friday, June 19, Miramar Juneteenth Family Day transforms Miramar City Hall Plaza into an afternoon of culture, creativity, and community. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., children can participate in jewelry-making and doll-making crafts, along with workshops in drumming, cultural harp, Double Dutch, and hair braiding.
The event also includes a pop-up African art exhibit, poetry, speakers, storytelling, and a little library offering free books while supplies last. It provides younger visitors an opportunity to engage with Juneteenth through art, music, stories, and hands-on activities.
Juneteenth Nightlife and Entertainment Events
As the day winds down, Juneteenth Celebration across Greater Fort Lauderdale turn to music and entertainment.
In Coral Springs, the city's Juneteenth Celebration takes place Friday, June 19, at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a complimentary pre-party featuring small bites, a live DJ, performances, and free admission to the Coral Springs Museum of Art before the main event. The celebration continues with a ticketed comedy performance by Rickey Smiley.
The following night, the City of Fort Lauderdale hosts its Juneteenth Celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. at Carter Park. The event features DJs, R&B entertainers, hip-hop performances, spoken word artists, step teams, street dancers, cultural performances, and trivia. Families and community members gather throughout the park to enjoy an evening of entertainment and celebration.
End the Weekend With Music, Poetry and Purpose
For a Juneteenth event centered on the performing arts, head to the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 20, for the 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, “Imagination Unchained.” Beginning at 7 p.m., the event brings together music, poetry, visual art, and performances by Marlo Vashti, Cande Rivers, Alexander Star, and harpist Crystal Sawyer.
The event offers a performance-focused way to conclude the weekend's Juneteenth celebrations. Standard and VIP tickets are available.
Reflect on the Meaning of Juneteenth
Juneteenth in Greater Fort Lauderdale can take many forms. It can be a child listening to a story in Miramar, a gallery wall filled with history and expression in Fort Lauderdale, a plate of sweet potato pie at a library festival, or a crowd gathered in the park for an evening of music and community.
However you choose to participate, Juneteenth offers an opportunity to celebrate freedom, honor Black culture, and reflect on the significance of the holiday.