Celebrating Juneteenth: Engage With Community Events and Resources
Honor Juneteenth with local MetroWest, MA opportunities for connection and educational resources.
By Spark Kindness Team
Dear Spark Community,
Juneteenth, observed on June 19th, marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and is a time to reflect on the enduring legacy of slavery and systemic racism. It’s a celebration of Black freedom, culture, and achievement, while also affirming the work that remains in building a just and equitable society. These commemorations invite us to confront the past, celebrate progress, and recommit to a future where every person is seen, valued, and free.
Let this be a time to reflect, learn and commit to living with a racial equity lens that allows acknowledgement of our own internal biases, as well as recognition of the painful experiences Black Americans have and continue to face in this country as we work together to forge an equitable future for everyone.
We invite you to explore Juneteenth events and resources below and hope you will join us in Natick to celebrate.
With gratitude and care ~ The Spark Kindness Team
"Without community, there is no liberation... but community must not mean a shedding of our differences, nor the pathetic pretense that these differences do not exist."
— Audre Lorde
Local Events Celebrating Juneteenth
Natick Juneteenth Celebration
- Fri 6/19 at 10:30AM on Natick Common: Frederick Douglass Reading organized by the Natick Historical Society and Natick Is United. Learn more here.
- Sat 6/20 from 11AM-1PM on Natick Common. Delicious food, fun activities, and musical performances. Hosted by Natick Center Cultural District. Learn more here.
Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony in Framingham
Fri 6/19 at 12pm: Memorial Building Plaza, 150 Concord Street, Framingham. Learn more here.
Ashland Juneteenth
Join AREA and the Ashland Farmers Market at the annual Juneteenth Celebration! Music, games, community speakers, and more. Sat 6/20 from 9am-1pm at 125 Front St. Learn more here.
Old Sturbridge Village
On 6/19, the village will commemorate Juneteenth by exploring the history, resilience, and culture of Black people in New England. Learn more at osv.org
Medway Marches
Medway Marches presents Juneteenth 2026 at Belforge Arts Center from 2-7pm on Fri 6/19. Learn more here.
Walpole Juneteenth Celebration
Be Inclusive, Inc. will host its annual celebration on Fri 6/19 from 2-7pm at 30 Stone St, featuring speakers, performers, and activities. Learn more here.
Educational Resources: Learn More About Juneteenth
- Reflecting on Juneteenth - Facing History and Ourselves
- 5 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth with Your Family (PBS Kids)
- 14 Books for Celebrating Juneteenth (PBS Kids)
- NMAAHC Kids - Understanding & Celebrating Juneteenth (National Museum of African American History and Culture)
Juneteenth / African American Freedom Stories
- Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper. A beautifully illustrated story about a young girl learning the meaning of Juneteenth.
- All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson. Told from a child’s perspective, this book captures the emotion of learning about emancipation.
- Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan. The inspiring story of activist Opal Lee and her fight to make Juneteenth a national holiday.
- Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford. While not directly about Juneteenth, it honors a sacred gathering place where enslaved people experienced a moment of freedom.