The City of Boston is proud to partner with Embrace: The Embrace Ideas Festival, a yearly celebration grounded in arts, ideas, culture, and public scholarship, leading up to the Juneteenth holiday. This multi-day gathering brings together local, state, and national leaders to amplify anti-racism and envision a transformed Boston by 2030.

The Embrace Ideas Festival features keynotes, panels, and live music, shining a light on interrupting zero-sum game thinking regarding racial justice and realizing a democracy worthy of us all. Our annual Fest is intentionally wrapped around Juneteenth, an essential holiday we uplift for those who have long celebrated it and invite those who may not have had the opportunity yet to join us in building a new national "monument" together.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, and declared the end of the Civil War, freeing all enslaved persons. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been official for over two years, slavery persisted in areas beyond Union control. The Union's takeover of Texas effectively liberated the remaining slaves in the state, ending this specific form of slavery in America.

We look forward to coming together as a community for this momentous occasion and honoring this significant day in our history. Join us in celebrating Juneteenth and envisioning a more just and equitable future for all.

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Hyde Park's fourth annual community-wide, family friendly, Juneteenth Celebration is planned for Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Martini Hatch Shell on Truman Parkway in Hyde Park. The event is titled Juneteenth Joy: Focus on Freedom and is a mixture of performances, vendors, exhibits and speakers. Central to the event will be dancing! In the event of rain, the event will be moved to The New Mission High School in Hyde Park. Free giveaways ONLY to those who register in advance. You can also register to do a part of our special taste testing to select your Favorite collard greens, red velvet cake and Juneteenth Themed ice cream courtesy of Ben and Jerry's.

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Join us on Saturday, June 15, 2024 for a Juneteenth Celebration at Franklin Park! Enjoy picnics, barbecues, music, dancing and more at the Shattuck Picnic Grove and all over the park.

In collaboration with Danza Orgánica, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet, and the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, we bring you Âs Nupumukômun (We Still Dance) to Boston. Âs Nupumukômun (We Still Dance), a new dance theater work, highlights traditional and contemporary stories of the Aquinnah Wampanoag People through dance, music, installation, and multimedia.The work was developed in close collaboration between Danza Orgánica, members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, the Aquinnah Cultural Center, and The Yard on Martha’s Vineyard. 

Âs Nupumukômun is dedicated to Micah H. Washington (Brave Deer).

The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture is proud to present an evening featuring local author Linda Carney-Goodrich, with readings from Danielle Legros Georges, Anne Pluto, and Michael McInnis. The evening will be hosted by Michael Patrick MacDonald and feature musical guest Mr. Curt.

Join us on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Boston's Civic Pavilion on City Hall Plaza (at the intersection of Hanover St and Congress St, across from the Boston Public Market).

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The Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement, Racial Justice, Women's ERG & BEN  invites you to join us for a free workshop event on head wrapping at the Civic Pavilion! 

The Art and Fashion of Head Wrapping workshop event is to hold a fresh perspective on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This inclusive, and informative experience expands cultural understanding through the practice of head wrapping. It challenges norms, celebrates diversity, and empowers women in honor of Black Women’s History Month. Facilitation is led by Tafari Wraps.

• Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 
• Time: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. 
• Location: City Hall Piemonte Room
• Contact: Kharlita.chamberswalker@boston.gov
• Light refreshments will be provided 

Note: There are limited slots, filling out this form confirms your spot and the list will close once we are at capacity. If you can no longer able to attend please let Kharlita know as soon as possible so that someone else is able to fill in your place. Thank you.  kharlita.chamberswalker@boston.gov 

Update: NEW LOCATION - due to weather, this event will now be held at City Hall Plaza's Civic Pavilion (5 Congress St, at the intersection of Congress St and Hanover St across from the Boston Public Market).

The Mayor's Poetry Program is an annual program in which Boston residents are invited to submit poems to be displayed throughout City Hall and in an online gallery for one year. The theme for 2024, selected by Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, was "Resistance".

Fifteen poems were selected to be displayed throughout City Hall for a year. Selected poets and honorable mentions will be participating in a reading on Friday, April 26, from 12 - 1:30 p.m. at City Hall Plaza's Civic Pavilion.

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