6th Annual Newton Juneteenth Celebration 2026

Bring your kids, your friends and your parents and come celebrate! Come connect! Come feel the JOY—this is more than an event, it’s a celebration of resilience, unity, and community pride. Start your day with an exciting kickoff at Newton North High School hosted by Newton Community Education (there's a big surprise coming - details to follow), and then join us at the Hyde Community Center from 3PM for an unforgettable celebration of culture, heritage and tradition. Starting at 3 PM you can look forward to: 🎤 A party atmosphere from 3 PM hosted by <a href="https://soundcloud.com/djfirestarta">DJ Firestarta</a> 🛍️ Shopping unique finds from local artisans &amp; craft vendors 🎶 Live performances that move your spirit 🍴 Two food trucks serving up delicious Caribbean flavors: Reggae Foods and <a href="https://www.gourmetkreyol.com/">Gourmet Kreyol</a> 🎤 A Summer Concert Series event featuring hip-hop cover band sensation <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_grv_band?igsh=MWE2Z3B0ZGhqemdteQ==">The GRV</a> from 6–8 PM 🎬 Stretch out under the summer sky for a 9PM screening of <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825683/">Black Panther</a>, the critically acclaimed box office delight that defines Black Excellence This year we reject division and instead embrace 'JOYFUL RESISTANCE!' Together, let's uplift the value and richness of African-American culture and Black Excellence. All residents and visitors are invited to help celebrate 161 years since the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Speaking of excellence, we honor the service of featured guest, Dr. Henry Turner, Newton North High School Principal of 10 years who departs to assume his new role as Superintendent of Reading Public Schools. We are proud to partner with the Hyde Community Center to seamlessly incorporate Juneteenth into their Friday Summer Concert Series. Want to get involved?<ul><li>Are you a Black-owned business or a community partner? Sign up for a booth <a href="https://forms.gle/GwKxZ4UNpUb89X8q6">here</a> or email questions to <a href="mailto:juneteenth@forj.org">juneteenth@forj.org</a>.</li><li>Want to help with preparations beforehand and/or join our fun crew on the day of the event? Volunteer <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=PZNHSHN6VJ2DN&amp;source=url&amp;ssrt=1684458617165">here</a>.</li><li>Help fund the festivities! Please click <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=PZNHSHN6VJ2DN&amp;source=url&amp;ssrt=1684458617165">here</a> to donate. Donate a minimum of $10 and get a free stylish Juneteenth water bottle while supplies last!</li></ul>Thank you to our partners and sponsors! Our partners include our fiscal sponsor, Families Organizing for Justice (FORJ), the Newton Coalition of Black Residents (NCBR) and FORJ@Newton North High School (FORJ NNHS). We are grateful for generous support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Harmony Foundation and Village Bank. This Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts program is supported by Spark Newton in collaboration with The City of Newton.

Bandstand at Hyde Community Center

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

FORJ Newton

Where

forjnewton

Experiences

6th Annual Newton Juneteenth Celebration 2026