What to do this weekend: Juneteenth celebrations abound in Memphis all weekend long

What’s happening: This Sunday, June 19, marks the return of the Juneteenth holiday, the annual commemoration of the emancipation of the nation’s enslaved African Americans. Several events are planned throughout Memphis this weekend as the community turns out to celebrate.

PRIZM Fest: This Friday, June 17, the PRIZM Ensemble will host a free Juneteenth celebration and concert as part of their PRIZM Fest, currently underway. A Juneteenth Celebration: featuring Callie Day with PRIZM Ensemble Chamber Orchestra and Celebration Chorus is presented in partnership with Memphis Black Arts Alliance and begins at 7 p.m. at Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis. The concert is free and open to the public.

MoSH: The Memphis Museum of Science & History will debut their new Juneteenth celebration this year, Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Freedom. Scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, on the lawn of the Pink Palace Mansion, the African Jazz Ensemble, led by Ekpe Abito, will perform a two-hour concert. Light refreshments and a cash bar will also be on site.

And on both Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, special museum tours will be offered from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Ekpe Abito will also perform at 1 p.m. each day.

What they’re saying: “We are thrilled to partner with the Memphis community to honor Black freedom from slavery and commemorate this important milestone,” says Michele Arquette-Palermo, Director of Community Engagement for the Museum. “Being able to feature the African Jazz Ensemble, with their vibrant beat, will make this a celebration for Memphis.”

Tristate Black Pride: The second annual Tristate Black Pride Festival returns to the Overton Park Shell all weekend long, opening Thursday, June 16, and running through Sunday. The festival features music, food trucks, vendors, and a cash bar on site. A full line-up is available online.

Shop Black Festival: Started as a virtual event at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Juneteenth Shop Black Festival now makes its presence known as an in-person event at the Pipkin Building. Scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, the festival features 100 locally-owned Black businesses, 14 food trucks, 11 food vendors, and live entertainment.