Mark the joyous holiday at one of these special happenings around the Hub
A Juneteenth Celebration: The Boston Landmarks Orchestra, in collaboration with Castle of Our Skins String Quartet, kicks off its summer season on June 15 from 4–5:30 p.m. with this free concert at the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Crops Community Center in Dorchester that presents the music of Black composers.
Embrace Ideas Festival: From June 18–21, this yearly celebration of arts and culture follows its 2024 theme of “What’s Next?: Inspiring the Resistance,” kicking off the festivities by honoring local leaders at the Embrace Honors Awards June 18 from 6–8 p.m. at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Other highlights include keynote addresses on June 20 & 21, a “chef vs. chef” battle on June 21 from 1–2 p.m. and a block party on June 21 from 2–8 p.m. at Roxbury Community College that features dance, music and food from the finest BIPOC-owned food trucks in the area.
Museum of Fine Arts (pictured): An open house takes place at the Fenway institution on June 19 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. that boasts free admission for all Massachusetts residents as well as an art fair offering works from local artisans, a collage-making class, a photo booth, free tours, drag story hour, face painting, live folk songs and spirituals courtesy of the Boston City Singers, and dance performances in the Shapiro Family Courtyard.
Institute of Contemporary Art: Head to the Seaport on June 19 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. to enjoy a free day of browsing the galleries of this modern marvel perched right on Boston Harbor. The ICA promises special programming to spotlight Black lives, liberation and imagination. Timed tickets are required, which can be reserved online beginning at 10 a.m. on June 18.
Roxbury International Film Festival: Celebrate Juneteenth a day later with the opening of this acclaimed film showcase that champions filmmakers of color. Now in its 26th year, the festival takes place June 20–28 (and online June 27–July 2) at various venues around the city, and kicks off with a mini-concert and screening of the Luther Vandross documentary Luther: Never Too Much at the Museum of Fine Arts June 20 at 7 p.m.
