Celebrate Juneteenth! at Boston Children’s Museum

Friday, June 19, 2026

9am – 4pm

Juneteenth is a federal holiday recognizing the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which ended the practice of enslaving people in America. This program celebrates generations of “freedom fighters” who persisted, and those who continue this work today.

For 246 years, Black children and families in America were not treated as free people. Many families were separated from one another and forced to work without pay, often in inhumane conditions. We share this history to honor the strength and resilience of those who endured it, and to highlight the ongoing urgency to build a world of freedom, fairness, and belonging for all.

Boston Children’s Museum celebrates Juneteenth with a day of live music, movement, and interactive, hands-on creative experiences that uplift the work of community organizations, local artists, and creatives. Through these partnerships, the Museum showcases Black artistic traditions and creative practices born out of resistance, which continue to inspire modern day movements that speak out against injustice.

At Boston Children’s Museum, we work towards affirming and supporting all identities. We recognize that belonging is not limited to a single day or celebration, but something that develops over time. We also believe that sometimes people may need to feel invited into a space in order to experience a sense of belonging. Because of this, some of our programs are designed to center specific communities, and we invite everyone to join in the celebration.

10:00 – 10:45am

Location: The Common

FREEDOM TO BE SEEN: Read-Aloud and Meet the Author with Ariel Vanece

Stories can help us celebrate who we are, learn from one another, and imagine new possibilities together. Join us for a read-aloud of Searching for Mr. Johnson’s Song and a chance to meet author Ariel Vanece. A limited number of free books will be available for signing.

10:30am – 12:00pm 

Location: Art Lab (2nd floor)

FREEDOM TO DREAM OUT LOUD: Sharing Our Dreams for a Better Future – Art Workshop

Freedom began with a dream! This workshop celebrates the culmination of nearly 260 years of dreams that were spoken, shouted, sung, written, and illustrated, until people all over the country became allies in our collective fight for freedom. Join us in the Art Lab to draw YOUR dreams for a better future, and share them with your community.

10:30am – 12:00pm 

Location: STEAM Lab (2nd floor)

FREEDOM TO SPEAK UP: Using Our Voices in the Face of Obstacles – STEAM Challenge

Don’t let anything stop you from speaking up for yourself and others! Join us in the STEAM Lab for an engineering activity that challenges you to build a structure to help a tiny figure speak into a microphone.

10:45am – 11:30am

Location: Atrium and Outside Plaza (near the Milk Bottle)

FREEDOM TO JUMP FOR JOY: Double Dutch Showcase and Activity

Double Dutch is a joyful tradition rooted in creativity, teamwork, rhythm, and community. Join Essence of Diamonds and Pearls Youth Group for an energetic showcase in the Museum’s Atrium, where visitors will experience the excitement of Double Dutch in action. After the demo, head outside to learn the basics of double dutch and give it a try yourself!

This event is free and open to the public. Admission to the Museum is not required to attend.

The mission of Essence of Diamonds and Pearls Youth Group, Inc. (EDPYG) is to uplift and empower our Future Queens by equipping them with tools for self-confidence, leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth, while fostering a sisterhood built on support, strength, and lifelong memories through the art of Double Dutch.

Instagram: @edpyg2021

11:00am – 1:00pm

Location: Outside Plaza (near the Milk Bottle)

FREEDOM TO MOVE: Dance Party with A Trike Called Funk

Join us outside on the plaza for this pop-up dance party, led by MC & Dance Lead Aaron Myers and DJ EdWord Galan, playing funky music that will inspire you to bust a move – or learn a new one!

This event is free and open to the public. Admission to the Museum is not required to attend.

A Trike Called Funk is a Boston-based creative venture co-founded in July 2021 by MC & Dance Lead Aaron Myers and DJ Edward Galan. In collaboration with local artists specializing in complementary types of music and dance, A Trike Called Funk orchestrates participatory dance experiences around a customized cargo tricycle, which is equipped with its own portable dance floor, power source, DJ equipment, and sound system. A Trike Called Funk not only performs and entertains, but teaches and engages all ages, with the aim of unleashing creativity, and building community everywhere you can pedal & park.

Website: www.atrikecalledfunk.com
Instagram: @Atrikecalledfunk

11:30am – 1:30pm

Location: Outside Tent

FREEDOM TO REPRESENT: Graffiti T-Shirt Tagging Activation with SOEMS

This activation invites visitors to a Juneteenth-inspired live graffiti t-shirt tagging demonstration under the outdoor tent at Boston Children’s Museum. Led by Boston-based graffiti artist SOEMS, visitors can observe live artistic interpretations created in expressive colors and styles inspired by each participant’s contribution and identity.

Graffiti emerged in the 1970s as a bold act of visibility and self-expression for Black communities after centuries of being forced into silence. In celebration of representation, creativity, and individuality, visitors can leave with wearable artwork that carries the spirit and meaning of Juneteenth beyond the Museum.

This event is free and open to the public. Admission to the Museum is not required to attend.

Instagram: @soems

12:00pm – 12:30pm

Location: Kidstage (1st floor)

FREEDOM TO REMEMBER: “A Qyah Juneteenth,” Molly of Denali Screening

Join us in KidStage Theater for a special screening of the Juneteenth-themed episode of the PBS KIDS series Molly of Denali. Molly of Denali is an animated series about a young Alaska Native girl who goes on amazing adventures, learning from maps, books, and more. In this episode, “A Qyah Juneteenth,” Molly and her friend Trini are excited to celebrate Juneteenth in Qyah and share these traditions together. Along the way, the friends learn about the importance of the holiday and the many ways communities honor freedom, resilience, and joy.

Website: www.wgbh.org
Instagram: @mollyofdenali

1:00pm – 2:00pm

Location: The Common

FREEDOM TO TELL YOUR STORY: Live Comic Creation with Comics in Color

What do home, family, friends, community, and joy mean to you? In this collaborative live-drawing program, local comics creators Cagen Luse, Brittney Bourne, and Joy Reid create art to share their own stories — with help from you! Presented in collaboration with the Boston Comic Arts Foundation.

Website: www.bostoncomicarts.org
Instagram: @BostonComicArts
Cagen Luse: @Comicsncolor
Brittney Bourne: @atinyartist
Joy Reid: @gabrieljoyyy

1:00pm – 2:30pm

Location: Art Lab (2nd floor)

FREEDOM TO DREAM OUT LOUD: Sharing Our Dreams for a Better Future – Art Program

Freedom began with a dream! This program celebrates the culmination of nearly 260 years of dreams that were spoken, shouted, sung, written, and illustrated, until people all over the country became allies in our collective fight for freedom. Join us in the Art Lab to draw YOUR dreams for a better future, and share them with your community.

1:00pm – 2:30pm

Location: STEAM Lab (2nd floor)

FREEDOM TO SPEAK UP: Using Our Voices in the Face of Obstacles – STEAM Challenge

Don’t let anything stop you from speaking up for yourself and others! Join us in the STEAM Lab for an engineering challenge where you will build something to help a tiny figure reach a tall microphone.

2:30pm – 3:30pm

Location: Kidstage (1st floor)

FREEDOM TO IMAGINE: Jazz Urbane’s Imagine Orchestra Concert

Music is a universal language that has long been a powerful way for people to share stories, express joy, and reclaim freedom. This special Juneteenth program invites visitors into an open rehearsal-style experience with Jazz Urbane’s Imagine Orchestra.

Rather than a traditional concert, visitors will experience how musicians collaborate in real time – experimenting with sound, building musical “color,” and shaping ideas together through composed and improvised music. Inspired by Juneteenth and the ongoing celebration of freedom, this program explores jazz music as a powerful form of creative self expression. Come discover how live music can spark imagination, build connection, and create space for collective creation.

Website: www.jazzurbanecafe.com
Instagram: @jazzurbanecafe