Houston is the best place in America to celebrate Juneteenth.
Not just because we’re an hour away from Galveston, where General Order No. 3 was read on June 19, 1865, informing the last enslaved Black people in Texas that they were free.
But because Houston is one of the cities that kept Juneteenth alive.
Long before corporations learned how to market it. Long before it became a federal holiday. Long before the rest of America started paying attention.
For generations, Houston families, churches, organizers, community leaders, artists, and institutions made sure Juneteenth remained what it has always been: a celebration of freedom, remembrance, and Black possibility.
If you’re spending Juneteenth weekend in Houston, here’s our guide.
Start Your Morning With Us
E.N.D. x Kept Secret x Cloudy Donuts Pop-Up
Kept Secret Coffee Shop, Houston, TX
Friday, June 19
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Free Admission BUT Donuts will be moving fast (Pre-Order)
We’re kicking off Juneteenth with good people, good music, and even better donuts.
Join E.N.D., Kept Secret, and Cloudy Donuts for a special Juneteenth pop-up featuring exclusive donut flavors, coffee, music, and community.
The first 50 people who preorder a donut box receive a complimentary drink from Kept Secret on us.
Cloudy Donuts is black owned and the best all vegan donut shop in America.
Pop-Up Menu
Basil Olive Oil
Lemon Blueberry
Sweet Potato
Pineapple Upside Down
Jalapeño Peach
Orange Saffron
Pre-Order
CALL: 347.463.9628
NO TEXTS — CALLS ONLY
That Evening: E.N.D. THE WORLD
Bald Kitty
Friday, June 19
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Free Entry
If you were there last year, we don’t need to explain.
If this is your first time, just know this: come early and come ready to dance.
Our annual Juneteenth celebration returns with Bald Kitty for another night of music, movement, community, and joy.
This year’s theme:
E.N.D. THE WORLD
Because freedom isn’t only something we remember.
It’s something we practice.
Expect DJs, dancing, beautiful people, and the kind of energy that reminds you why Houston is one of the greatest Black cities in America.
BLD PWR Juneteenth Weekend - SLAB
Blank Canvas
2955 Gulf Freeway
Houston, TX 77003
June 18–20, 2026
Founded by Houston native Kendrick Sampson, BLD PWR’s Juneteenth Weekend returns to Houston for three days of storytelling, organizing, film, music, conversation, and celebration.
“Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth. Houston is the home. If you want to experience real Juneteenth, come to The H.” - Kendrick Sampson
The SLAB stands for:
Slow. Loud. And Building.
Inspired by Houston’s legendary slab culture, The SLAB serves as a gathering place where art, organizing, joy, and community come together.
Thursday, June 18
BLD PWR Day
Doors Open: 3:00 PM
4:00 PM
Houston Screening of Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters
An exclusive Houston screening of Boots Riley’s highly anticipated new film, followed by conversation and community programming.
Featuring:
Boots Riley
Kendrick Sampson
Nana Gyamfi
BAJI (Black Alliance for Just Immigration)
Additional Programming:
Slab Line Opening
Welcome Gathering
Living Room Experience
WAGBT Karaoke at The Function
Friday, June 19
Juneteenth at The SLAB
Doors Open: 11:00 AM
12:00 PM CST
Keke Palmer Livestream Activation
Join Emmy-winning actress and cultural icon Keke Palmer live from The SLAB for a special Juneteenth livestream experience.
Streaming:
12 PM CST
10 AM PDT
1 PM EST
Featuring:
Keke Palmer
Kendrick Sampson
Houston guests and community leaders
Throughout The Day
Community Block Party
Food Trucks
Houston Vendors
DJ Sets
Slab Showcase
Talk Yo Shit Soapbox
Center for Cultural Power Mural Activation
Special Screening
Sincerely Brad
A pre-release screening from Houston filmmaker Isaac Yowman ahead of its Roku premiere.
Evening Programming
Living Room Experience
Featuring:
Isaac Yowman
Monica Simpson (SisterSong)
Aaliyah Haqq (Global Black Economic Forum)
Special Guests
WAGBT Karaoke
Featuring a live performance from Houston legend Miriam Echo.
Saturday, June 20
The Sessions R&B Jam
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
The closing celebration of BLD PWR Juneteenth Weekend.
Featuring:
Live R&B Performances
Special Guests
Section Seating
VIP Tables
Community Celebration
A perfect way to close out Juneteenth weekend in Houston.
Event Schedule and Ticket Link: https://events.humanitix.com/bld-pwr-day-juneteenth-weekend-2026
Make Time For Emancipation Park
Emancipation Park
3018 Emancipation Ave
Houston, TX 77004
Before Juneteenth became a federal holiday, there was Emancipation Park.
Purchased in 1872 by formerly enslaved Black Texans specifically to celebrate Juneteenth, the park remains one of the most important Black historical sites in America.
If you’re in Houston this weekend, make time to visit.
Because the story of Juneteenth didn’t survive by accident.
People protected it.
People gathered around it.
People passed it down.
And few places embody that history better than Emancipation Park.
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